Abstract: A “super fuel efficient”, safe, low-cost and yet high performance 4-wheeled vehicle is configured with motorcycle wheels and tires having continuous radius tires and of outside diameter (20-26 inches). A special configuration of the invention permits a 4-wheeled vehicle to naturally camber while engaging a corner, or while maneuvering on a slope. Integration of a “short-cycling”, low storage mass hybrid drivetrain into the vehicle, and further, an exhaust heat energy recovery system, secures the efficiency opportunity.

Abstract: A thermal-to-electrical conversion system converts internal combustion engine exhaust heat into useful electrical energy in a hybrid vehicle system. The converted energy is sent to an energy-storage control system via a DC-DC converter. High power-density storage medium (e.g. ultracapacitors) is used in the designated “short-cycle” hybrid design to maximize transfer efficiency and capacity while minimizing weight. An upconversion circuit within the control system allows high use of the storage capacity. Employed in a lightweight vehicle platform, the system addresses the most significant barriers to achieving high transportation efficiency-mass and combustion energy loss to waste heat.

Abstract: A serial hybrid drivetrain enables “super-efficiency” (fuel efficiency exceeding 100 miles-per-gallon) in a lightweight transportation vehicle, utilizing only high power density storage media (for example ultracapacitor media), with the total energy of storage constrained to minimize storage mass, and the resulting low energy requiring a short-cycle of charge and discharge. A unique control system design enables a high extraction of the total energy from the medium, as well as full-rate recovery of regenerative braking energy.

Abstract: The control system for an UltraCapacitor (or “SuperCapacitor) based energy storage system consists of a relay switch, a voltage up-converting device (e.g. DC-DC converter), regulated power supplies and a comparator circuit. The comparator circuit compares the storage system output voltage with a reference voltage, causing the storage system output to be diverted through a voltage up-converting device when the said voltage has declined to a threshold value (typically set by the load requirements). Wide-input range power supplies enable consistent operation of the circuit as the UltraCapacitor system output bus voltage declines. The wide-range of input allowed by the up-converting device enables the continuance of power drain from the UltraCapacitors, i.e. more efficient use of available storage capacity, while maintaining the required output voltage to the load. Efficiency is increased by direct connection of the UltaCapacitor system to the load bus until its voltage falls below stated threshold.

Abstract: A “super fuel efficient”, safe, low-cost and yet high performance 4-wheeled vehicle is configured with motorcycle wheels and tires having continuous radius tires and of outside diameter (20-26 inches). A special configuration of the invention permits a 4-wheeled vehicle to naturally camber while engaging a corner, or while maneuvering on a slope. Integration of a “short-cycling”, low storage mass hybrid drivetrain into the vehicle, and further, an exhaust heat energy recovery system, secures the efficiency opportunity.

Abstract: A thermal-to-electrical conversion system converts internal combustion engine exhaust heat into useful electrical energy in a hybrid vehicle system. The converted energy is sent to an energy-storage control system via a DC-DC converter. High power-density storage medium (e.g. ultracapacitors) is used in the designated “short-cycle” hybrid design to maximize transfer efficiency and capacity while minimizing weight. An upconversion circuit within the control system allows high use of the storage capacity. Employed in a lightweight vehicle platform, the system addresses the most significant barriers to achieving high transportation efficiency-mass and combustion energy loss to waste heat.

Abstract: The control system for an UltraCapacitor (or “SuperCapacitor) based energy storage system consists of a relay switch, a voltage up-converting device (e.g. DC-DC converter), regulated power supplies and a comparator circuit. The comparator circuit compares the storage system output voltage with a reference voltage, causing the storage system output to be diverted through a voltage up-converting device when the said voltage has declined to a threshold value (typically set by the load requirements). Wide-input range power supplies enable consistent operation of the circuit as the UltraCapacitor system output bus voltage declines. The wide-range of input allowed by the up-converting device enables the continuance of power drain from the UltraCapacitors, i.e. more efficient use of available storage capacity, while maintaining the required output voltage to the load. Efficiency is increased by direct connection of the UltaCapacitor system to the load bus until its voltage falls below stated threshold.

Abstract: A serial hybrid drivetrain enables “super-efficiency” (fuel efficiency exceeding 100 miles-per-gallon) in a lightweight transportation vehicle, utilizing only high power density storage media (for example ultracapacitor media), with the total energy of storage constrained to minimize storage mass, and the resulting low energy requiring a short-cycle of charge and discharge. A unique control system design enables a high extraction of the total energy from the medium, as well as full-rate recovery of regenerative braking energy.