Inline electromechanical variable transmission system

A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first gear set including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first plurality of planetary gears coupling the first sun gear to the first ring gear, and a first carrier rotationally supporting the first plurality of planetary gears;
• a second gear set including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, a second plurality of planetary gears coupling the second sun gear to the second ring gear, and a second carrier rotationally supporting the second plurality of planetary gears, wherein the first carrier is directly coupled to the second carrier;
• a connecting shaft coupling an engine to the first gear set;
• a first electromagnetic device selectively coupled to the first gear set;
• a second electromagnetic device coupled to the second gear set;
• an output shaft directly coupled to the first carrier, wherein the output shaft is configured to transport power from the first electromagnetic device, the second electromagnetic device, and the engine to a tractive element of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein the output shaft is aligned with the connecting shaft, the first electromagnetic device, and the second electromagnetic device to thereby form a straight-thru transmission arrangement.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a multi-mode transmission including:
• a first gear set and a second gear set, the first gear set comprising a planetary gear set having a planetary gear carrier, wherein the planetary gear carrier and the second gear set are directly coupled;
• a first motor/generator selectively coupled to the first gear set;
• a second motor/generator coupled to the second gear set;
• and
• an output shaft directly coupled to the planetary gear carrier of the first gear set and configured to selectively receive rotational mechanical energy from the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator;
• an engine directly coupled to the first gear set and selectively coupled to the second gear set;
• and
• a drive axle coupled to the output shaft of the multi-mode transmission.