Electric continuously variable transmission

A continuously variable transmission comprising:

• a first and second planetary splitters;
• a lock-up clutch in mechanical communication with said first planetary splitter;
• an input shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• an output shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• a first electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said first planetary splitter;
• and
• a second electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said second planetary splitter.

A continuously variable transmission comprising:

• first and second planetary splitters;
• an input shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters, wherein said input shaft drives a carrier of said first planetary splitter and a sun gear of said second planetary splitter;
• an output shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• a first electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said first planetary splitter;
• and
• a second electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said second planetary splitter.

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

• a combustion engine;
• a continuously variable transmission operably attached to said combustion engine, and continuously variable transmission including:
• first and second planetary splitters;
• an input shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• an output shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• a first electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said first planetary splitter;
• a second electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said second planetary splitter;
• a first differential driven by said continuously variable transmission wherein said first differential drives a first pair of wheels;
• a second differential connected to a second pair of wheels for driving said second pair of wheels;
• a third electric motor/generator for driving said second differential;
• and
• a battery for powering said first, second and third electric motor/generators and for storing energy produced by said first, second and third motor/generators when said first, second and third electric motor/generators are selectively operated in a power generation mode.

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

• a combustion engine;
• a continuously variable transmission operably attached to said combustion engine, said continuously variable transmission including:
• first and second planetary splitters;
• an input shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• an output shaft in mechanical communication with each of said first and second planetary splitters;
• a first electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said first planetary splitter;
• a second electric motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said second planetary splitter;
• and
• a first differential driven by said continuously variable transmission wherein said first differential drives a first pair of wheels;
• wherein a low speed range operating mode is achieved through said second electric motor/generator generating electrical energy and feeding said electrical energy to said first electric motor/generator, a mid speed range operating mode is achieved through said first electric motor/generator generating electrical energy and feeding said electrical energy to said second electric motor/generator, and a high speed range operating mode is achieved through a lock-up clutch locking a component of said first planetary splitter and said second electric motor/generator generating electrical energy and feeding said electrical energy to said first electric motor/generator.

A transmission for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a driveline, comprising:

• an input shaft adapted to be selectively driven by the engine;
• an output shaft adapted to drive the driveline;
• a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a set of first planet gears meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear, said planet gears rotatably supported on a first carrier that is fixed to said input shaft;
• a second planetary gearset having a second sun gear fixed to said input shaft, a second ring gear, and a set of second planet gears meshed with said second sun gear and second ring gear, said second planet gears rotatably supported from a second carrier fixed to said first ring gear and said output shaft;
• a first motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said first sun gear;
• a second motor/generator for selectively driving or generating electrical energy from said second ring gear;
• an input clutch for selectively coupling the engine to said input shaft;
• a brake for selectively braking rotation of said first sun gear;
• and
• a control system for controlling actuation of said first and second motor/generators, said input clutch and said brake.