A transmission for outputting a rotational torque in accordance with a torque requirement. The transmission includes a generator, a motor and a control device. The generator includes a rotor configured to receive first rotational power from an engine, a stator including a stator core with a winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device configured to adjust magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust a current outputted by the generator. The motor is driven by the current outputted from the generator, to thereby output second rotational power. The control device controls the supply current adjustment device to change the inductance of the winding, in accordance with the torque requirement.

An alternating current (AC) power distribution system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator configured to generate an AC power signal having a frequency that is independent from a frequency of a prime mover. The system may also include at least one AC load configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion. In another embodiment, an AC power distribution system includes a generator configured to generate an AC power signal and an AC motor configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion, where the AC motor is configured to rotate at a rotational frequency that is independent from a frequency of the AC power signal.

An alternating current (AC) power distribution system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator configured to generate an AC power signal having a frequency that is independent from a frequency of a prime mover. The system may also include at least one AC load configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion. In another embodiment, an AC power distribution system includes a generator configured to generate an AC power signal and an AC motor configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion, where the AC motor is configured to rotate at a rotational frequency that is independent from a frequency of the AC power signal.

An electric power supply system configured to supply electric power to an electrical load device in accordance with a current requirement. The electric power supply system includes an engine configured to output rotational power, a generator configured to receive the rotational power and to supply a current to the electrical load device. The generator includes a rotor, and a stator including a winding and a stator core with the winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device configured to adjust magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust the supplied current. The electric power supply system further includes a control device configured to control the engine to adjust the output rotational power and to control the supply current adjustment device to adjust the inductance of the winding.

An electric power supply system configured to supply electric power to an electrical load device in accordance with a current requirement. The electric power supply system includes an engine configured to output rotational power, a generator configured to receive the rotational power and to supply a current to the electrical load device. The generator includes a rotor, and a stator including a winding and a stator core with the winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device configured to adjust magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust the supplied current. The electric power supply system further includes a control device configured to control the engine to adjust the output rotational power and to control the supply current adjustment device to adjust the inductance of the winding.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, an electromotive driving unit mounted on the vehicle body, an engine operable with a liquid fuel, a generator that generates electric power, and a control device including a power generation control unit and an electric power output unit. The power generation control unit outputs a signal for controlling the engine and the generator, the electric power output unit outputting electric power generated by the generator to the electromotive driving unit. The control device in combination with the engine and the generator constitutes a physically integrated unit that is mountable to and dismountable from the vehicle body. The control device is configured to output a store visit promotion signal to an informing device while the physically integrated unit is mounted on the vehicle body, to prompt a visit to a store where the physically integrated unit is replaceable.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, an electromotive driving unit mounted on the vehicle body, an engine operable with a liquid fuel, a generator that generates electric power, and a control device including a power generation control unit and an electric power output unit. The power generation control unit outputs a signal for controlling the engine and the generator, the electric power output unit outputting electric power generated by the generator to the electromotive driving unit. The control device in combination with the engine and the generator constitutes a physically integrated unit that is mountable to and dismountable from the vehicle body. The control device is configured to output a store visit promotion signal to an informing device while the physically integrated unit is mounted on the vehicle body, to prompt a visit to a store where the physically integrated unit is replaceable.

A propulsion apparatus for an electric vehicle including both a drive motor and a generator configured to recover energy from the vehicle drivetrain. The invention also relates to an energy supply and storage system suitable for use with a propulsion apparatus having a drive motor and generator, and to an electric vehicle having a powertrain including such a propulsion apparatus.

A propulsion apparatus for an electric vehicle including both a drive motor and a generator configured to recover energy from the vehicle drivetrain. The invention also relates to an energy supply and storage system suitable for use with a propulsion apparatus having a drive motor and generator, and to an electric vehicle having a powertrain including such a propulsion apparatus.

An energy assembly includes: an engine including a crank shaft; a starter that starts the engine; an energy converter that is connected to the crank shaft of the engine and converts rotational power of the crank shaft into another type of energy; controlling circuitry configured to control the engine, the starter, and the energy converter; a supporting body supporting the engine, the starter, the energy converter, and the controlling circuitry; and an energy interface that transmits the energy, generated by the energy converter, to an external device detachably attached to the energy assembly. The engine, the starter, the energy converter, the controlling circuitry, and the energy interface are integrated with each other.