Propulsion unit for a self-propelled vehicle
AssigneeNew Holland North America, Inc.
InventorGiorgio Bordini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A propulsion unit for a tractor includes a diesel engine and two electrical machines. The diesel engine and the two electrical machines are connected mechanically to a device for subdividing and re-combining of the output powers delivered by the diesel engine and delivered or absorbed by the electrical machines. The electrical machines are capable of operating both as generators and as motors. The propulsion unit is operable such that in at least one interval of the ground speed of the tractor, the electrical fraction of the power delivered or absorbed by the electrical machines is zero.
Claims11
In a propulsion unit for a tractor movable at selectable ground speeds, said propulsion unit including a diesel engine and at least two electrical machines, each of said diesel engine and said electrical machines having an output power, said electrical machines being operable to deliver and to absorb output power, said diesel engine and said at least two electrical machines being connected mechanically to a device operable to subdivide and to re-combine of the output powers delivered by said diesel engine and of said electrical machines, said electrical machines being capable of operating both as generators and as motors, the improvement comprising:
- the propulsion unit is configured such that in at least one interval of the ground speed of the tractor, the electrical fraction of the power delivered and absorbed by the said electrical machines is zero;
- and
- said device for subdividing and re-combining the output powers comprises epi-cyloid gearing comprising:
- a spider connected mechanically to the said diesel engine;
- a solar unit connected mechanically to one of said electric machines;
- and
- a ring gear connected mechanically to a vehicle drive train, and to the other of said electric machines.
In a propulsion unit for a tractor movable at selectable ground speeds, said propulsion unit including a diesel engine and at least two electrical machines, each of said diesel engine and said electrical machines having an output power, said electrical machines being operable to deliver and to absorb output power, said diesel engine and said at least two electrical machines being connected mechanically to a device operable to subdivide and to re-combine of the output powers delivered by said diesel engine and of said electrical machines, said electrical machines being capable of operating both as generators and as motors, the improvement comprising:
- the propulsion unit is configured such that in at least one interval of the ground speed of the tractor, the electrical fraction of the power delivered and absorbed by the said electrical machines is zero;
- said device for subdividing and re-combining the output powers comprises epi-cyloid gearing;
- and
- the electrical fraction of the power delivered or absorbed by the said electrical machines is zero in a first interval corresponding to a ground speed of the tractor of approximately 10 km/h.
In a propulsion unit for a tractor movable at selectable ground speeds, said propulsion unit including a diesel engine and at least two electrical machines, each of said diesel engine and said electrical machines having an output power, said electrical machines being operable to deliver and to absorb output power, said diesel engine and said at least two electrical machines being connected mechanically to a device operable to subdivide and to re-combine of the output powers delivered by said diesel engine and of said electrical machines, said electrical machines being capable of operating both as generators and as motors, the improvement comprising:
- the propulsion unit is configured such that in at least one interval of the ground speed of the tractor, the electrical fraction of the power delivered and absorbed by the said electrical machines is zero;
- said device for subdividing and re-combining the output powers comprises epi-cyloid gearing;
- and
- the electrical fraction of the power delivered or absorbed by the said electrical machines is zero in a second interval corresponding to a ground speed of the tractor between approximately 35 km/h and 45 km/h.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.