Motor/alternator with integral wet clutch for use in hybrid vehicles

A hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and a power transmission mechanism, the engine having a crankshaft and the transmission having a torque input shaft, a torque output shaft of the transmission being adapted to be connected to vehicle traction wheels;

• a friction clutch located in a torque flow path between the engine crankshaft and the transmission torque input shaft;
• a torque damper assembly in the torque flow path between the friction clutch and the crankshaft;
• and
• an electric motor including a rotor connected to the clutch whereby electric motor torque complements crankshaft torque as driving torque is transferred to the transmission torque output shaft;
• the clutch being mounted concentrically within the rotor, the motor including a stator secured to a stationary housing portion of the powertrain and surrounding the stator and the clutch whereby the clutch and the motor are disposed between the crankshaft and the transmission torque input shaft with an economy of space, the rotor being rotatably mounted on the stationary housing portion to which the stator is secured to define a controlled air gap between the rotor and the surrounding stator.