HYBRID ELECTRIC/COMBUSTION PROPULSION AND ELECTRIC GENERATOR APPARATUS
DRIVE
February 10, 2022
A hybrid electric/combustion propulsion/electric generator apparatus comprising: a driven shaft mating mechanism; a hub mating mechanism; an electric machine operable as an electric motor or generator, comprising a rotor comprising a drum; a clutch mechanism, comprising first and second mating mechanisms, axially slidable and engaged with the drum/rotor; and a selection mechanism for sliding the clutch mechanism into a start position (wherein the electric motor can rotate the centrifugal clutch to rotate the driving shaft), a neutral position (wherein rotation of the drum/rotor operates the electric machine as the generator), or a drive position, wherein the apparatus is operable in either a pure electric drive mode (electric motor drives the driven shaft clockwise or counter clockwise while the centrifugal clutch is disengaged), or a hybrid drive mode (engine and electric motor drive the driven shaft) or a propulsion/generation mode (engine drives the driven shaft and generator produces electricity).
Discussion in the ATmosphere