A portable range
extender can be used to supply electrical power to an
electric vehicle operable by an
electric traction motor. The portable range
extender includes an engine, a dynamoelectric
machine coupled to the engine by a shaft, an autonomous range
extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of a controller for the vehicle, and circuitry associated with the engine and
machine. The range extender and its controlling circuitry are self contained within an
enclosure. The
enclosure is partitioned to form two sections, a first section housing the dynamoelectric
machine and the second section housing the engine. Windows in the
enclosure provide a path for
air cooling of the range extender components.
Air cooling is facilitated by a first set of cooling fins mounted on the rotor of the dynamoelectric machine at an end
proximate an air inlet window, a second set of cooling fins mounted on the rotor of the dynamoelectric machine in the vicinity of an opening in the partition, and a third set of cooling fins mounted on the engine at the opposite side of the partition opening.