# US 2018/0022198 A1 · Hybrid automotive powertrain system and method of operating same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022198 A1 - Document ID: US20180022198A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/640,755 - Filed: 2017-07-03 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-25 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: William Paul Perkins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022198A1 ## CPC - B60K 6/26: characterised by the motors or the generators - B60K 6/48: Parallel type - B60K 6/52: Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive - B60K 17/356: having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels - B60K 1/00: Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units (B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00) - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B60K 2006/4833: {Step up or reduction gearing driving generator, e.g. to operate generator in most efficient speed range} - Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an electric machine, a gear set mechanically connected with the electric machine, and a clutch mechanically coupled with at least one of a primary and secondary driveline assembly. The electric machine is configured to selectively provide motive power to at least one of the primary and secondary driveline assemblies. The gear set is configured to permit differential rotation between the primary and secondary driveline assemblies. The clutch is configured to selectively transfer torque between the primary and secondary driveline assemblies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for a vehicle comprising: a clutch coupled with at least one of a primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly and configured to selectively transfer torque therebetween; an electric machine configured to selectively provide motive power to at least one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly; and a gear set connected with the electric machine and configured to permit differential rotation between the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the electric machine is further configured to selectively convert motive power received from at least one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly to electrical power. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the electric machine is further configured to selectively free spin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the gear set includes a first element mechanically connected with the electric machine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the gear set further includes a second element mechanically connected with one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein the gear set comprises an epicyclic gear set and wherein the epicyclic gear set further includes a third element mechanically connected with the other of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the clutch is further configured to vary the torque transfer between the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle further includes an energy storage unit and wherein the electric machine is further configured to provide electrical power to the energy storage unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle further includes an energy storage unit and wherein the electric machine is further configured to receive electrical power from the energy storage unit. ### Claim 10 An automotive hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle including a primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly, the system comprising: a power transfer box including an electric machine, a gear set mechanically connected with the electric machine, and a clutch mechanically coupled with at least one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly, the power transfer box being configured to selectively (i) provide motive power to at least one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly by converting electrical power to motive power, (ii) convert motive power received from at least one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly to electrical power, (iii) transfer torque between the secondary driveline assembly and primary driveline assembly via the clutch, (iv) transfer torque between the secondary driveline assembly and primary driveline assembly via the gear set, and (v) transfer torque between the electric machine and at least one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly via the gear set. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein the power transfer box is further configured to permit differential rotation between the secondary driveline assembly and primary driveline assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein the gear set includes a first element mechanically connected with the electric machine. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the gear set includes a second element mechanically connected with one of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the gear set comprises an epicyclic gear set and wherein the epicyclic gear set includes a third element mechanically connected with the other of the primary driveline assembly and secondary driveline assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle further includes an energy storage unit and wherein the electric machine is further configured to provide electrical power to the energy storage unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle further includes an energy storage unit and wherein the electric machine is further configured to receive electrical power from the energy storage unit.