Four-mode, input-split, paralell, hybrid transmission

Abstract

A variable, four-mode, input-split, parallel, hybrid electric transmission for a vehicle. An input shaft receives power from the vehicle engine, and an intermediate output shaft delivers power to drive the vehicle. First and second motor/generators are employed as are energy storage devices, such as batteries, for accepting power from, and supplying power to, the first and second motor/generators. A control unit regulates power flow between the energy storage devices and the motor/generators as well as between the first and second motor/generators. A compounded planetary gear set and an intermediate planetary gear set are used. Each planetary gear sub-set and the intermediate planetary gear set has an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members supported on a carrier. The input shaft is operatively connected to one of the gear members in the compounded planetary gear set, and the intermediate output shaft is operatively connected to two of the other gear members in the compounded planetary gear set as well as at least one gear member in the intermediate planetary gear set. One of the motor/generators is connected to at least one remaining gear member in the second planetary gear sub-set, and the other motor/generator is selectively connected to the intermediate power output shaft as well as to a common gear member in both planetary gear 12 sub-sets.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.