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;
• a first electromagnetic device directly coupled to the first gear set;
• a second electromagnetic device directly coupled to the second gear set;
• and
• an output shaft directly coupled to the first carrier, wherein the output shaft is configured to transport power from the first electromagnetic device and the second electromagnetic device to a tractive element of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein the output shaft is aligned with the first electromagnetic device and the second electromagnetic device.

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;
• a first motor/generator directly 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;
• and
• a drive axle coupled to the output shaft of the multi-mode transmission.