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US 6,551,208 B1Granted
Three-mode, compound-split, electrically-variable transmission
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsAlan G. Holmes, Michael Roland Schmidt, Donald Klemen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrically-variable transmission has three modes of operation. The power in each of the modes of operation is split by differential gearing into a mechanical path and an electrical path between the input shaft of the transmission and the output shaft of the transmission. This is accomplished with three planetary gearsets and four torque-transmitting mechanisms that are judiciously engaged to provide the three modes of operation, which are an input-split mode and two compound-split modes. The transmission can be part of a system with electrical storage devices, which will supplement the engine power during some periods of operation.
Claims8
An electrically-variable transmission comprising:
- a transmission input shaft;
- a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third members, said first member being continuously interconnected with said input shaft;
- a first electrical power unit continuously interconnected with said second member of said first planetary gear set;
- a second planetary gear set having first, second, and third members with said first member being continuously interconnected with said third member of said first planetary gear set;
- a second electrical power unit continuously interconnected with said second member of said second planetary gear set;
- a third planetary gear set having three members, said first member being continuously interconnected with both said third member of said first planetary gear set and with said first member of said second planetary gear set, said second member of said third planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with a transmission output shaft;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said first electrical power unit and said third member of said second planetary gear set for common rotation;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second electrical power unit with said third member of said third planetary gear set for common rotation;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said third member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member;
- and
- said torque transmitting mechanisms being operated in combinations of two to establish three modes of power transmission between said input shaft and said output shaft.
9 more elements
An electrically-variable propulsion system comprising:
- a transmission input shaft;
- a source of mechanical power for supplying power to said input shaft;
- means for connecting said source of mechanical power to said input shaft;
- a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third members, said first member being continuously interconnected with said input shaft;
- a first electrical power unit continuously interconnected with said second member of said first planetary gear set;
- a second planetary gear set having first, second, and third members with said first member being continuously interconnected with said third member of said first planetary gear set;
- a second electrical power unit continuously interconnected with said second member of said second planetary gear set;
- an electrical power storage means for supplying electrical power to and receiving electrical from said first and second electrical power units;
- a third planetary gear set having three members, said first member being continuously interconnected with both said third member of said first planetary gear set and with said first member of said second planetary gear set, said second member of said third planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with a transmission output shaft;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said first electrical power unit and said third member of said second planetary gear set for common rotation;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second electrical power unit with said third member of said third planetary gear set for common rotation;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said third member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member;
- and
- said torque transmitting mechanisms being operated in combinations of two to establish three modes of power transmission between said input shaft and said output shaft.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.