Hybrid electric vehicle

Abstract

A highly energy efficient automobile that provides payload, safety and performance capacities similar to a comparable vehicle of a given vehicle class. The current invention is ideal for short to medium range urban and suburban driving. The current invention incorporates components in a unique and novel way, in which these components combine to form a system that produces an automobile that reduces overall air pollution while encouraging the commercialization of alternative energy sources. The current invention features an lightweight, low rolling resistance, digitally controlled and direct-drive electric propulsion system. A lightweight spaceframe with a suspension system provides a structure for mounting a low-aerodynamic-drag body system and other components. An intelligent power and thermal management system coupled with a removable auxiliary power module supplies the electrical energy required. While the preferred embodiment is substantially a passenger vehicle, the current invention may be scaled to other land vehicles.

1 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a self-contained, removable and interchangeable auxiliary power module for providing electricity onboard the vehicle, the auxiliary power module configured to adapt the vehicle to different sources of energy.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power module is configured to provide electricity to a direct-drive electric propulsion system having a plurality of continuous-duty motor generators and a plurality of high-power motor generators independently connected to wheels of the vehicle through constant velocity joints. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power module is connected to a power distribution and management bus configured to distribute high voltage power, low voltage power and control signals to high-power components of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power module is configured to adapt to a user's preferences for alternative fuel. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power module is configured to enable the vehicle to operate entirely on electricity. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power module is electrically connected to a power distribution and management bus and removably mounted to an underside of a spaceframe of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . A hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
 a direct-drive electric propulsion system adaptable to different energy sources with the aid of a self-contained, removable and interchangeable auxiliary power module, the auxiliary power module configured to generate electricity onboard the vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . The hybrid electric vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary power module is electrically connected to a power distribution and management bus and removably mounted to an underside of a spaceframe of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid electric vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the direct-drive electric propulsion system further comprises a plurality of high-power motor generators for generating torque to accelerate and decelerate the vehicle, the high-power motor generators further configured to be operated as generators, wherein the motor generators receive torque and generate electric energy. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid electric vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the direct-drive electric propulsion system further comprises a plurality of continuous-duty motor generators for generating torque at cruising speeds to sustain the speed of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid electric vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of continuous-duty motor generators and the plurality of high-power motor generators are configured to be independently connected to wheels of the vehicle through constant velocity joints. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid electric vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary power module is connected to a power distribution and management bus configured to distribute high voltage power, low voltage power and control signals to high-power components of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A self-contained, removable and interchangeable auxiliary power module for providing electricity onboard a hybrid electric vehicle, the auxiliary power module configured to adapt the hybrid electric vehicle to different sources of energy. 
     
     
         14 . The auxiliary power module of  claim 13 , wherein the auxiliary power module is configured to adapt to a user's preferences for alternative fuel. 
     
     
         15 . The auxiliary power module of  claim 13 , wherein the auxiliary power module is configured to enable a hybrid electric vehicle to operate entirely on electricity. 
     
     
         16 . The auxiliary power module of  claim 13 , wherein the auxiliary power module is electrically connected to a power distribution and management bus and removably mounted to an underside of a spaceframe of the vehicle.