US 5,931,757 AGranted

Two-mode, compound-split electro-mechanical vehicular transmission

AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation

InventorMichael Roland Schmidt

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Abstract

A two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission utilizing an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage means, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator. The transmission employs three planetary gear subsets which are coaxially aligned. Each planetary gear arrangement utilizes first and second gear members, and each first and second gear members meshingly engage a plurality of planet gears rotatably mounted on a carrier. The first and second motor/generators are coaxially aligned with each other as well as the three planetary gear subsets which are circumscribed by the first and second motor/generators. At least one of the gear members in the first or second planetary gear subsets is connected to the first motor/generator. Another gear member in the first or second planetary gear arrangement is connected to the second motor/generator. The carriers are operatively connected to the output member. One of the gear members of the first or second planetary gear subsets is continuously connected to one of the gear members in the third planetary gear subset. Another gear member of the first or second planetary gear subset is operatively connected to the input member, and one gear member of the third planetary gear subset is selectively connected to ground.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A two-mode compound split hybrid electro-mechanical transmission, comprising:

an input member for receiving power from a prime mover power source;
an output member for delivering power from the transmission;
first and second motor/generators;
energy storage means for interchanging electrical power between said storage means and said first and second motor/generators;
control means for regulating the electrical power interchange between said energy storage means and said first and second motor/generators and also for regulating electrical power interchange between said first and second motor/generators;
three coaxially aligned planetary gear arrangements;
each planetary gear arrangement utilizing first and second gear members;
said first and second gear members of each planetary gear arrangement meshingly engaging a plurality of planet gears mounted on a carrier incorporated in each corresponding planetary gear arrangement;
said first and second motor/generators being coaxially aligned with each other and with said three planetary gear arrangements;
at least one of said gear members in said first or second planetary gear arrangement connected to said first motor/generator;
at least one of said gear members in said first or second planetary gear arrangement connected to said second motor/generator;
means operatively to connect said carriers associated with said first, second and third planetary gear arrangements to each other and to said output member;
one of the gear members of said first or second planetary gear arrangements not connected to said first motor/generator being continuously connected to one of said gear members in said third planetary gear arrangement;
the other gear member of said first or second planetary gear arrangement not connected to said first motor/generator being operatively connected to said input member;
and
that said gear member of said third planetary gear arrangement not connected together said first or second planetary gear arrangement being selectively connected to ground.

13 more elements

A two-mode compound split hybrid electro-mechanical transmission, comprising:

an input member for receiving power from a prime mover power source;
an output member for delivering power from the transmission;
first and second motor/generators;
energy storage means for interchanging electrical power between said storage means and said first and second motor/generators;
control means for regulating the electrical power interchange between said energy storage means and said first and second motor/generators and also for regulating electrical power interchange between said first and second motor/generators;
three coaxially aligned planetary gear arrangements;
each planetary gear arrangement utilizing first and second gear members;
said first and second gear members of each planetary gear arrangement meshingly engaging a plurality of planet gears mounted on a carrier incorporated in each corresponding planetary gear arrangement;
said first and second motor/generators being coaxially aligned with each other and with said three planetary gear arrangements;
at least one of said gear members in said first and second planetary gear arrangements connected to said first motor/generator;
at least one of said gear members in said first or second planetary gear arrangement connected to said second motor/generator;
means operatively to connect said carriers associated with said first, second and third planetary gear arrangements to each other and to said output member;
one of the gear members of said first or second planetary gear arrangements not connected to said first motor/generator being continuously connected to one of said gear members in said third planetary gear arrangement;
the other gear member of said first or second planetary gear arrangement not connected to said first motor/generator being operatively connected to said input member;
and,
that said gear member of said third planetary gear arrangement not connected to either said first or second planetary gear arrangement being selectively connected to ground.

13 more elements

A two-mode compound split hybrid electro-mechanical transmission, comprising:

an input member for receiving power from a prime mover power source;
an output member for delivering power from the transmission;
first and second motor/generators;
energy storage means for interchanging electrical power between said storage means and said first and second motor/generators;
control means for regulating the electrical power interchange between said energy storage means and said first and second motor/generators and also regulating electrical power interchange between said first and second motor/generators;
three coaxially aligned planetary gear arrangements;
each planetary gear arrangement utilizing first and second gear members;
said first and second gear members of each planetary gear arrangement meshingly engaging a plurality of planet gears mounted on a carrier incorporated in each corresponding planetary gear arrangement;
said first and second motor/generators being coaxially aligned with each other and with said three planetary gear arrangements;
at least one of said gear members in said first or second planetary gear arrangement connected to said first motor/generator;
at least one of said gear members in said first or second planetary gear arrangement connected to said second motor/generator;
said carriers in said first and second planetary gear arrangements selectively connected to said carrier in said third planetary gear arrangement;
said carrier in said third planetary gear arrangement continuously connected to said output member;
one of the gear members of said first or second planetary gear arrangements not connected to said first motor/generator being continuously connected to one of said gear members in said third planetary gear arrangement;
the other gear member of said first or second planetary gear arrangement not connected to said first motor/generator being operatively connected to said input member;
and,
that said gear member of said third planetary gear arrangement not connected to either said first or second planetary gear arrangement being selectively connected to ground.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/103,850Filed 24 Jun 1998
Granted: 3 Aug 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification32 codes

B60W 20/00
Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles
B60K 6/26
Characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs: characterised by the motors or the generators
B60K 6/365
Characterised by the transmission gearings: with the gears having orbital motion
B60K 6/387
Characterised by the driveline clutches: actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means