Method and an apparatus for transferring torque and a hybrid vehicle incorporating the method and apparatus
OwnerJoseph Gerald Supina, Shailesh S. Kozarekarinventors
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus 10 for transferring torque from at least one torque generator 12, 14 to at least one wheel 20 of a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus 10 includes a operatively coupled pair of clutches 24, 26 which cooperatively provide a dynamically adjustable gear ratio, effective to allow the vehicle to be quickly and efficiently launched and efficiently operated after launch.
Claims20
1) An assembly which regulates the amount of torque provided from a motor to at least one wheel of a hybrid vehicle.
10) A hybrid vehicle comprising at least two torque production sources;
- at least one wheel;
- and a transmission assembly which is adapted to receive a first amount of torque from at least one of said at least two torque production sources and to communicate second and third amounts of torque to said at least one wheel;
- and a controller which is coupled to said transmission assembly and which causes said second amount of torque to be communicated to said at least one wheel during launch and said third amount of torque to be communicated to said at least one wheel after launch, wherein said third amount of torque is less than said second amount of torque.
18) A method for transmitting torque emanating from at least one of two torque production sources to at least one wheel, said method comprising the steps of providing an assembly having a selectable gear ratio;
- transmitting said torque to said assembly;
- and communicating at least a portion of said torque from said assembly to said at least one wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.