Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor95
....in the 1970s we would not even have imagined the possibility of variable valve timing or mild hybrid systems.
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They imaged the possibility but didn't have the electronic controls to make it work outside of a lab.
TRW tested a hybrid with a power-split device very similar to the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive way back in the 60's. It was granted a patent in 1971: US 3566717A. It has an ICE engine, two motor / generators and the same power modes as the Toyota system.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US...=Baruch+Berman