Page 1 of TRW’s Hybrid Engine patent, submitted on 17 March 1969 and issued 2 March 1971 (Click to enlarge)
It has been fifty years since a group of engineers submitted what would become United States Patent 3566717. Entitled “Power train using multiple power sources,” Baruch Berman, George Gelb, Neil Richardson, and Tsih Wang of then-TRW in still Redondo Beach described the hybrid gas/electric vehicle. As a satisfied Prius owner since 2012 and likely repeat customer, I only recently learned that the core engine technology was invented a mile from my house and possibly yards from my office.
In those seven years of hybrid ownership, I’ve often wondered what actually goes on under the hood. Niels Blaauw offers a charming overview of older implementations of the engine and drivetrain. Next, Professor John Kelly of Weber State University dives deeply into the innards of the transaxle that’s in my generation of Prius. His WeberAuto channel is a gearhead’s goldmine.
Youtube Channel: Niels Blaauw
Youtube Channel: Weber Auto