Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
What?  |
What I mean is the diesel engine and the electric motor would be permanently connected - no clutch between them. The engine would be equiped with a compression release (such as holding the exhaust valve open) and keep the fuel supply off until a predetermined point when the valve would close and fuel be supplied so the engine would run. Both would propel the vehicle to cruising speed at which point the excitation current for the motor could be turned off and it would act as a freewheel. A rate-sensitive circuit on the throttle would allow the electric motor to be used for acceleration for passing, hill climbing and the like.