Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle. An on-board range extender is provided to charge the batteries and/or to provide power to the motor.

Abstract: An electric generator rotor having one or more permanent magnets coupled thereon. The permanent magnets provide a constant magnetic field in the rotor at all times, therein minimizing the effect of rotor residual magnetism on the start-up characteristics of the electric generator. The type and placement of the one or more permanent magnets on the rotor and/or magnetic field confinement techniques may be utilized to control spatial distribution of magnetic field within the rotor.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is disclosed having a frame, a plurality of ground engaging members, an electric motor, a front drive system, and a rear drive system. The electric motor is configured to provide power to at least a portion of the ground engaging members. The vehicle also comprises a plurality of batteries, an electronic controller, and a drive mode input. The drive mode input is operatively coupled to the electronic controller. The electronic controller operates the electric vehicle in one of a plurality of drive modes based on the drive mode input. In a first drive mode, the electronic controller specifies a first amount of motor braking to be applied by the electric motor, and in a second drive mode, the electronic controller specifies a second amount of motor braking to be applied by the electric motor. The second amount differs from the first amount.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle. An on-board range extender is provided to charge the batteries and/or to provide power to the motor.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric generator rotor having one or more permanent magnets coupled thereon. The permanent magnets provide a constant magnetic field in the rotor at all times, therein minimizing the effect of rotor residual magnetism on the start-up characteristics of the electric generator. The type and placement of the one or more permanent magnets on the rotor and/or magnetic field confinement techniques may be utilized to control spatial distribution of magnetic field within the rotor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a variable speed drive with synchronous AC motor. In the disclosed embodiment, a variable speed drive operates in three modes: a first predetermined mode, in which a function (e.g., trapezoidal current waveform) controls operation at low motor speeds; a transitional mode, in which a transition function is applied to anticipate transitions of the first function, thus causing a smoothing of transitions at higher speeds; and a second predetermined (e.g., sinusoidal or smoothly-varying current) waveform at high speeds. This allows for the reduction in required rotor position sensor resolution as compared to conventional synchronous variable speed drives, resulting in cost savings in the sensor device and associated wiring. Additionally, it is quieter and more efficient operation at high speed as compared to conventional trapezoidal-current/DC-brushless motor drives.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided with active hysteresis-based control of winding current. The motor has an efficient stator winding arrangement, as well as at least one adjustable air gap. Also provided is a stator, windings and air gap adjustment mechanism, as well as a method and system for controlling the torque produced by the motor using active hysteresis-based control of the motor's winding currents. The stator has its windings distributed among arc sections, the windings in each arc section being associated with only one phase of the motor. The hysteresis-based control of winding current is active in that a bandwidth or spread of the hysteresis band is adjusted depending on at least one of several selectively determined factors. The motor and its associated components are particularly well-suited for use in an electrically powered vehicle, as well as in hybrid vehicles using both electric power from a battery and electric power derived from a fuel-burning engine.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided with active hysteresis-based control of winding current. The motor has an efficient stator winding arrangement, as well as at least one adjustable air gap. Also provided is a stator, windings and air gap adjustment mechanism, as well as a method and system for controlling the torque produced by the motor using active hysteresis-based control of the motor's winding currents. The stator has its windings distributed among arc sections, the windings in each arc section being associated with only one phase of the motor. The hysteresis-based control of winding current is active in that a bandwidth or spread of the hysteresis band is adjusted depending on at least one of several selectively determined factors. The motor and its associated components are particularly well-suited for use in an electrically powered vehicle, as well as in hybrid vehicles using both electric power from a battery and electric power derived from a fuel-burning engine.