DIY EV pusher trailer test on 1st generation 1999 Prius (NHW10) - with photos

[EZP 545]

How does the hydraulic regen operate?
I am considering using 360% variable Nu Vinci cycle hub as a method of varying the speed of an alternator , to enable controlled light braking as the vehicle speed reduces. It seems to me that the hub must be able to handle a persons weight standing on a pedal, so with apropriate gearing / ac clutch to disengage/ and 4:1 belt to the alternator, A variable load capable of regenerating braking may work. Say 2-3 kw of Braking load, which would be useful recovery.

[ron]

way back when, a wheel motor was used ,using the weight of the vehicle to drive hydraulic fluid that powers a generator to charge the batteries.

[unheardofinstruments]

planetary reduction gears with infinite ratio are currently used in the Prius and
here is a guy making one (already tried several ideas and he has some great stuff to lengthen the life of lead acid batteries and some promising battery research, motor plans etc too);
electrichubcap.creativesystemdesigns(dot)com
near the turn of the century this gems only use was hand driven rail cars
rexresearch.com/constran/1constran(dot)htm
George Constantinesco: Inertial Transmission (US Patent 1591471 etc)
so simple!
the oscillating weight matches the engine output
check it out.

[unheardofinstruments]

I was planning on an electrically activated clutch from an AC pump run off the brake light circuit to kick in the wheel driving fluid up against an accumulator, the small gear pump I have can act as motor using the stored pressure for takeoff using a small control lever/valve in the cockpit. I originally thought it would be good for a trailer but it has been done with higher efficiency as a drivetrain for a car before and patented too even variable torque/power has been done with a vane style pump with a warpable membrane that pumps variable volume. 80% efficiency has been done.

[EZP 545]

nice scheme to use the variable swash plate to hold output speed as input drops. What effective variation in ratio can be achieved.? Cf the Nu vinci at 360%, which I guess can be considered as 1:1 up to 1:3.6

Thanks for interesting links re hubs and inertia drive. Looked good in Paris, wonder what happened to it?

[ron]

be careful using your pump for a motor , the shaft seal on a hyd motor requires a tank line so is wont blow out, a pump does not always have this feature and the shaft seal will let go