induction generators and HEVs

["Peter VanDerWal" <vanderp@earthlink.net>]

    Ok folks, the list is a little slow again so I figure that it's time for
another off the wall idea.

    I remember reading along time ago about Induction generators (at least I
think that's what they were) as I recall these require an external AC source
and then sync up on it.  I'm a bit fuzzy here but I think that voltage
and/or freq. didn't change with RPM but current did.  Or maybe it was the
rpm resisted change and the current varied...something like that, perhaps
someone on the list can figure out what I'm talking about and explain it.
(Lee?)

    Anyway here is my idea.  You build a HEV with an undersized controller
(and a small battery pack), just big enough to get the car up to say...25
mph.  For speeds above that, an ICE driving an Induction generator kicks in
and supplies the additional power needed with the controller scaling back
it's power accordingly.

    So what do y'all think?