Funnily enough, Severinsky's 1994 patent number 5,343,970 specifically denies the method of using two electric motors as is used in the Prius, and which was invented and patented by TRW in 1971. TRW allowed the patents to lapse in 1988. Claim 25 and 39 refer to less than 75 amperes of current. The Gen 2 Prius can take up to 25kW from the battery at about 270V, which is 92.6A; Gen 3 can take up to 27kW. For these reasons it should never have got close to the trade commission. Toyota have found it easier to pay him money to shut up and go away. Now, Honda might be liable, because they do use a parallel-only drive train.
sadly, whatever it cost toyota has to pe paid by the consumer. hopefully, it's not a significant amount per car. from what i read in the past the judge was pro patent holder on previous lawsuits. not sure about the trade commision. sometimes, i think these things are more political than scientific.
He was getting $98 per HSD and wanted more. We don't know what the current settlement is but my guess is more. $100 can buy a lot of standard equipment.
Ford settled its suit last week. Toyota settled theirs a day or two later. The report on Autonews today indicates that based on June sales @ $98 per unit sold the inventor could be paid $1.0+ Million just for June sales. Not bad. Attorny fee? 30-50%?? It will allow sales to continue uninterrupted but I'm certain at a slight bump in price.
