Extended range motor vehicle having ambient pollutant processing

Abstract

A hybrid motor vehicle utilizing electric motor propulsion prior to cruise mode operation and internal combustion engine propulsion during cruise mode. A method of operation comprising rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine to charge a fast charge-discharge battery utilizing a generator and and battery charger coupled between the continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine and the fast charge-discharge battery.

1 . A method of operating a hybrid vehicle having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine power comprising:
 a. rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine to charge a fast charge-discharge battery; and,   b. providing instant powerful acceleration while in the cruise mode when the speed of the vehicle is dropping.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine comprises:
 coupling a generator and battery charger between said continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine and said fast charge-discharge battery. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine provides electric power which is converted for storage in said fast charge-discharge battery. 
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein providing instant powerful acceleration while in the cruise mode comprises providing electric power to the electric motor. 
     
     
         5 . The invention according to  claim 4  wherein said electric power to the electric motor is provided to return said hybrid vehicle to the cruise mode under internal combustion engine power. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electric motor and said internal combustion engine power separate axles of said hybrid vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said cruise mode occurs when rapidly shifting power and speed demands are not occurring. 
     
     
         8 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein propulsion in said cruise mode is provided by a smaller internal combustion engine operating within a small range of speeds about its most efficient operating speed from a power and pollutant output standpoint. 
     
     
         9 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine is utilized to charge said fast charge-discharge battery when not emplyed to drive said hybrid vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of operating a hybrid motor vehicle according to  claim 1  further including engine emission analysis. 
     
     
         11 . The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein said low horsepower internal combustion engine comprises a low horsepower internal combustion engine 20 to 30 percent of the horsepower of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein a cruise mode logic control circuit is utilized to provide control while in said cruise mode. 
     
     
         13 . The invention according to  claim 12  wherein said cruise mode logic control circuit is responsive to a plurality of vehicle operating parameters. 
     
     
         14 . The invention according to  claim 13  wherein said plurality of vehicle operating parameters include vehicle speed and accelerator pedal information. 
     
     
         15 . The invention according to  claim 12  wherein said cruise mode logic control circuit comprises a micro processor. 
     
     
         16 . The invention according to  claim 15  wherein said microprocessor is further utilized to control electrical energy storage. 
     
     
         17 . The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein said cruise mode occurs when said hybrid vehicle speed is above about 40 mph. 
     
     
         18 . The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein said speed of said vehicle is dropping below about 40 mph. 
     
     
         19 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said fast charge-discharge battery comprises a capacitor battery.