Abstract: Disclosed herein are vehicle control devices and methods including a signal processor responsive to a signal proportional to dynamo speed and a second signal proportional to desired torque. The signal processor provides a control signal for suitable armature voltage control means which controls the armature voltage so as to adjust dynamo torque with respect to the desired torque signal. The signal processor further in response to the dynamo speed signal and in response to a signal proportional to brake pedal position provides a control signal to chopper means for adjusting the power generated by the dynamos in response to the brake pedal position. The signal processor further controls the dynamo field with respect to dynamo torque and speed so as to maximize dynamo operating efficiency. Various related devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for economical travel and minimization of atmospheric degradation by internal combustion exhaust products. A car which has, in combination, a heat engine driving a set of front wheels, storage batteries and an electric motor driving a set of rear wheels. There is also a system for selecting electric or heat engine drive either manually or automatically and a single accelerator for controlling either mode of drive. A battery charging system supplies a constant power charge rate. Battery charging power is derived from the electric motors acting as generators driven by the rear wheels while the vehicle is in heat engine drive, and the battery charging rate is selected by the operator. Also in combination is a regenerative braking system to recover expended energy in the form of vehicle motion and an overdrive system to increase vehicle speed in the electric drive mode by field weakening.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a device for creating an infinite number of vector triangles such that a vehicle's speed may be set as one leg of a vector triangle and the apparent wind's speed and direction may be set as a second leg, solution of the third leg yielding true wind speed and relative wind direction which is convertible into true wind direction by reference to vehicle true heading.