Integrated internal combustion electric motor (ICEM) concept for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle application

An assembly, comprising:

• A hybrid machine, comprising:
• an engine configured to generate power from a combustion reaction, the engine comprising:
• an intake port configured to receive air from an external environment of the engine;
• a combustion chamber that receives the air from the intake port and mixes the air with fuel to create an air and fuel mixture that is ignited to create the combustion reaction;
• a piston that is configured to actuate from the combustion reaction to rotate a crankshaft of the engine;
• an exhaust port configured to deliver exhaust gases from the combustion reaction out of the engine;
• a first motor comprising a first hub, the first hub being configured to rotate when power is supplied thereto;
• a second motor comprising a second hub, the second hub being configured to rotate when power is supplied thereto;
• a first generator configured to generate power when a first shaft of the first generator is rotated;
• a second generator configured to generate power when a second shaft of the second generator is rotated;
• a first geartrain connected to the first motor, the first generator, and the crankshaft of the engine, the first geartrain being configured to transmit a first amount of power to a first wheel, and
• a second geartrain connected to the second motor, the second generator, and the crankshaft of the engine, the second geartrain being configured to transmit a second amount of power to a second wheel,
• wherein the crankshaft is disposed on a transverse axis that extends through a center of the first motor and a center of the first generator;
• a fuel tank connected to the hybrid machine, the fuel tank being configured to deliver the fuel to the engine, and
• a battery connected to the hybrid machine, the battery being configured to transmit and receive power from the first generator, the second generator, the first motor, and the second motor.

A method for operating a hybrid machine, the method comprising:

• receiving air from an external environment of an engine;
• mixing the air with fuel to create an air and fuel mixture;
• igniting the air and fuel mixture to create a combustion reaction in the engine;
• actuating a piston with the combustion reaction, thereby rotating a crankshaft of the engine;
• delivering exhaust gases from the combustion reaction out of the engine;
• supplying power to a first motor to rotate a first hub of the hybrid machine;
• supplying power to a second motor to rotate a second hub of the hybrid machine;
• rotating a first shaft of a first generator to generate power;
• rotating a second shaft of a second generator to generate power;
• transmitting a first amount of power from at least one of the first motor, the first generator, and the crankshaft of the engine to a first wheel, and
• transmitting a second amount of power from at least one of the second motor, the second generator, and the crankshaft of the engine to a second wheel,
• wherein the crankshaft is disposed on a transverse axis that extends through a center of the first motor and a center of the first generator.