Series drive clutch
AssigneeNtn Corporation
InventorsRichard D. Baker, Russell E. Monahan, Richard Jacobson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch mechanism is disclosed for use with a hybrid electric vehicle wherein the electric motor-generator and engine are arranged in a series configuration. The clutch mechanism is positioned between and in communication with the electric motor-generator and engine to allow for either direct drive or a predetermined gear ratio between the electric motor-generator and engine. The electric motor-generator is preferably an integrated electric motor and generator. The engine is preferably a combustion engine.
Claims17
A and clutch system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine with a crankshaft and an electric motor with an output, said system comprising:
- a stationary housing;
- a planetary gearset coupled between the crankshaft and the output and adapted to provide a non-direct drive connection between the crankshaft and the output, the planetary gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear located concentrically with the sun gear, and a planet gear located and coupled between the sun gear and the ring gear;
- a first clutch coupled between the crankshaft and the output, said first clutch being a bi-directional roller clutch that is selectively engageable to provide a direct drive connection between the crankshaft and the output;
- and
- a second clutch coupled between the ring gear and the stationary housing, said second clutch being a one-way roller clutch adapted to allow rotation of the ring gear relative to the vehicle in a first direction and to prevent rotation of the ring gear relative to the vehicle in an opposite direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.