William S Rollins

US Patent:

45880409, May 13, 1986

Filed:

Dec 22, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/564742

Inventors:

Harold D. Albright - Charlotte NC
William R. Rollins - South Windsor CT

International Classification:

B60K 904

US Classification:

180165

Abstract:

A triple hybrid power system for driving a motor vehicle utilizing an internal combustion engine to drive an electric generator to charge a bank of batteries that provide electrical energy to drive an electric motor/generator that supplies power to a planetary gear set from which power is directed through a variable drive transmission to drive the wheels of the vehicle, a flywheel is used to apply periodic power through the planetary gear set to provide added power for acceleration, with a speed regulator disposed between the flywheel and the planetary gear set to maintain a substantially constant input speed that facilitates operation of the motor/generator at an optimum efficiency output. The drive transmission is operable to apply regenerative braking energy back through the planetary gear set to recharge the flywheel and, through to motor/generator, to recharge the batteries. When the vehicle is operating at a constant speed on level ground, the internal combustion engine can be applied directly to power the vehicle at optimum efficiency with the motor/generator and flywheel disengaged.