Vehicle propulsion motor control apparatus

In control apparatus for a plurality of direct current motors operative with a voltage source and an effort request signal for determining one of a power mode of operation and a brake mode of operation for said motors, with each of said motors having an armature and a field, the combination of:

• circuit means having first and second terminals and a first circuit including the armature and field of a first motor and a second circuit including the armature and the field of a second motor connected between said first and second terminals, said circuit means having third and fourth terminals and a third circuit including the first motor armature and the second motor field and a fourth circuit including the first motor field and the second motor armature connected between said third and fourth terminals,
• first switch means connected with said voltage source and controlling the current through said first and second circuits to establish said power mode, and
• second switch means connected to control the current through said third and fourth circuits to establish the brake mode,
• with the first switch means including a power diode connected to be conductive in a first direction and provided to conduct power mode current through the first and second motor armatures in said first direction, and with the second switch means including a brake diode connected to be conductive in a second direction and provided to conduct brake mode current through the first and second motor armatures in said second direction.