All-electric A.C. tractor

Abstract

A modular farm tractor whose wheels are driven by individual A.C. induction motors and whose accessories or attachments are also driven by A.C. induction motors. A prime mover, such as a gas turbine operating at a constant speed, is mounted on the tractor and drives a three-phase alternator which produces A.C. power at a constant frequency of 400 Hz. The frequency of the power applied to the wheel motors is controlled by a first cycloconverter means connected to the output of the alternator. The alternator output is also coupled through a second cycloconverter means to an A.C. power outlet mounted on the tractor. Various farm accessories associated with the tractor are driven by A.C. induction motors connected to the A.C. outlet. The frequency of the power applied to the accessory motors is controlled by the second cycloconverter means. A material-transferring tunnel runs between the front and rear of the tractor along the center line thereof and between the tractor's wheels.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.