Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080207372 | THREE MODE ELECTRICALLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - An electrically-variable transmission is provided with first and second motor/generators and three planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets have continuous interconnections, and selective connections via a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms, that provide three forward electrically-variable modes. Preferably, the planetary gear sets are characterized by effective gear ratios such that a substantially equal maximum torque is required from each of the motor/generators during the three forward electrically-variable modes for a given torque on the input member. This allows the first and second motor/generators to be substantially equal in size. | 08-28-2008 |
20080280726 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH AN ENGINE INPUT CLUTCH AND METHOD OF CONTROL - A powertrain is provided with an input clutch that is disengagable to allow a transmission input member to rotate independently of engine speed under power of a motor and provide an alternative way to power vehicle accessories otherwise driven by engine torque, while still allowing the motor to start the engine. A powertrain having a parallel combination of input clutches including a friction input clutch and a selectable one-way clutch is provided, as well as a method of control of such a powertrain. Another method of controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain includes starting the engine via torque from a motor with the input clutch biased in an engaged position. If vehicle operating conditions are more efficiently met without operating the engine, the input clutch is disengaged to so that torque is provided only by the motor to the output member and to vehicle accessories operatively connected to the input member. | 11-13-2008 |
20080305918 | SEVEN SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH SIX TORQUE-TRANSMITTING MECHANISMS AND THREE PLANETARY GEAR SETS - A multi-speed transmission is provided that includes three planetary gear sets and seven torque-transmitting mechanisms with various fixed interconnections to provide seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The first planetary gear set is a dual sun planetary and the torque-transmitting mechanism engagement schedule is designed so that, in the reverse speed ratio, a predetermined speed ratio is achieved at the second sun gear member in the dual sun planetary and the input member, and, in the first forward speed ratio, the same magnitude predetermined speed ratio is achieved between the second sun gear member and the input member, but with the second sun gear member rotating in an opposite direction as in the reverse speed ratio. | 12-11-2008 |
20090288895 | Electric Torque Converter for a Powertrain and Method of Operating a Vehicle - An electric torque converter has a torque converter input member connected to the first node of a differential gear set representable by a lever diagram having first, second, and third nodes. A motor/generator is connected to the second node. The third node is connected to an input member of a transmission gearing arrangement. A brake is selectively engagable to ground the first node to a stationary member. Engagement of the brake provides a regenerative braking mode and an electric-only driving mode, with the motor/generator connected to the transmission gearing arrangement through the differential gear set. Various clutches may be provided for lock-up or selective connection of the engine, including arrangements which reduce motor/generator torque required for engine starting while in electric-only driving. A method of operating a vehicle maintains the engine speed at an optimum level to the extent possible given battery charge levels and operator commands. | 11-26-2009 |
20110024210 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH AN ENGINE INPUT CLUTCH AND METHOD OF CONTROL - A powertrain is provided with a first input clutch and a second input clutch, each of which is selectively engageable to connect an engine with a transmission input member. Selective engagement of the first input clutch permits a motor to power the engine to start the engine. Selective engagement of the second input clutch permits the engine to power the transmission for propulsion. | 02-03-2011 |