Drive system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle drive system utilizing a flywheel for storing recaptured kinetic energy from a moving vehicle is described. Alternators mounted to the drive train generate electrical power from the passively spinning wheels of a moving vehicle. This power may be used to rotate a flywheel. Energy from the continuously spinning flywheel is used or stored for later use to charge batteries which provide power to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The disclosed drive system can be mounted in an all-electric or gasoline-electric hybrid motor vehicle and provides additional power to an electric drive motor of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drive system for a vehicle comprising:
 a first alternator mechanically coupled to a wheel of the vehicle;   a flywheel drive motor electrically coupled to the first alternator, wherein the first alternator powers the flywheel drive motor;   a flywheel mechanically coupled to the flywheel drive motor, wherein the flywheel drive motor rotates the flywheel; and   a second alternator mechanically coupled to the flywheel; and   a first battery electrically coupled to the first alternator and the flywheel drive motor, wherein the first alternator charges the first battery and the first battery powers the flywheel drive motor.   
     
     
         2 . The drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the flywheel is mounted within an engine compartment and wherein the flywheel's axis of rotation is less than fifteen degrees from vertical. 
     
     
         3 . The drive system of  claim 1 , further comprising an all-electric vehicle coupled to the drive system. 
     
     
         4 . The drive system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle coupled to the drive system. 
     
     
         5 . The drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel is a first wheel, and further comprising a vehicle drive motor, wherein the second alternator powers the vehicle drive motor. 
     
     
         6 . A method of forming a drive system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 mechanically coupling a first alternator to a first wheel of the vehicle, wherein rotation of the first wheel of the vehicle causes the first alternator to generate electricity;   electrically coupling the first alternator to a flywheel drive motor, wherein the first alternator powers the flywheel drive motor;   coupling the flywheel drive motor to a flywheel, wherein rotation of the flywheel drive motor causes the flywheel to rotate; and   electrically coupling the flywheel to a vehicle drive motor.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising coupling the vehicle drive motor to a second wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle drive motor causes the second wheel to rotate, propelling the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising electrically coupling the first alternator to a first battery. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising electrically coupling the first battery to the flywheel drive motor, wherein the first battery powers the flywheel drive motor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step electrically coupling the flywheel to a vehicle drive motor comprises:
 coupling the flywheel to a second alternator, wherein rotation of the flywheel causes the second alternator to generate electricity; and   electrically coupling the second alternator to a vehicle drive motor, wherein electricity generated by the second alternator powers the vehicle drive motor.