| abstract |
A car having a heat engine (14) driving a set of front wheels (5A), storage batteries (12) and electric motors (1) driving a set of rear wheels (5). Battery charging power is derived from the electric motors (1) acting as generators, and the battery charging rate is selected by the operator. Also in combination is a regenerative braking system and an overdrive system to increase vehicle speed in the electric drive mode by field weakening. Protective systems are included to prevent overcharge of the storage batteries and to prevent accidental and cataclysmic closing at high speeds of the electric clutches (2) connecting the electric motors to the rear wheels. A differential turn system eliminates undesirable loading of one of the electric-metors while the vehicle is turning in the electric drive mode by decreasing the power fed to both motors. Excessive loading of the heat engine by the battery charging system is eliminated on hills and during acceleration. A battery ventilation (11) system for explosive gases generated during charging of the main batteries is disclosed. |