US 7,337,869 B2 · Hydraulic hybrid vehicle with integrated hydraulic drive module and four-wheel-drive, and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A vehicle includes an integrated drive module coupled to an axle thereof. The module includes a hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft, and a differential for distributing the motive power to right and left portions of the axle. The hydraulic motor and the differential are encased within a common housing. The vehicle may include a second integrated drive module having, within a housing, a second hydraulic motor (or multiple hydraulic motors), and a second differential coupled thereto and configured to distribute motive power to right and left portions of a second axle. The second module may also include a transmission within the same housing. The transmission may be a two speed or other multi-speed transmission. The second module is configured to operate in neutral while power demand is below a threshold, and to engage while the power demand exceeds the threshold. The second module may be configured to remain engaged for full-time four-wheel-drive operation.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of axles coupled to the vehicle, each axle having a plurality of wheels coupled thereto;
a first integrated drive module coupled to a first of the plurality of axles, the module including a first hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft of the first motor, and a first differential coupled to the output shaft and configured to distribute the motive power to right and left portions of the first of the plurality of axles, the first hydraulic motor and the first differential being encased within a common housing;
and
a high-pressure accumulator configured to receive hydraulic fluid under pressure and to deliver pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic motor.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/769,459Filed 30 Jan 2004 · continuation in part

Priority

10 Jan 2000

Published

US 2004/0011031 A116 Dec 2004

Granted

4 Mar 2008

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification31 codes

F04B 23/06
Combinations of two or more pumps: the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type
B60K 6/12
Prime-movers comprising combustion engines and mechanical or fluid energy storing means: by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
B60K 17/105
Of fluid gearing: units comprising at least a part of the gearing and a torque-transmitting axle, e.g. transaxles
B60K 17/356
For driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles: having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels

Family

Application09/479,844Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 10 Jan 2000

Application10/620,726Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 15 Jul 2003

US 2004/0251067 A1Pre-grant publication · published 16 Dec 2004

US 6,719,080 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2004/0011031 A1Published application

US 7,374,005 B2Related patent

US 7,337,869 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Hydraulic hybrid vehicle with integrated hydraulic drive module and four-wheel-drive, and method of operation thereof

Life of this patent

Hydraulic hybrid vehicle with integrated hydraulic drive module and four-wheel-drive, and method of operation thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16