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US 8,033,954 B2Granted
Hybrid powertrain with reversing engine and method of control
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsMark A. Theobald, Rodney B. Rask, Madhusudan Raghavan, Paul M. Najt, Alan G. Holmes, Norman K. Bucknor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powertrain is provided having an engine operable in a reverse direction so that a reverse mode is provided through an electrically variable transmission without relying on pure electric or series electric operation, and without the addition of a dedicated reverse gear. A method of controlling such a powertrain is also provided.
Claims11
A powertrain comprising:
- an engine having a crankshaft rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction;
- a controller configured to control the direction of rotation of the crankshaft;
- an electrically variable transmission having an input member operatively connected with the crankshaft and an output member for providing driving torque;
- wherein the output member rotates in a forward direction when the crankshaft rotates in the first direction and rotates in a reverse direction when the crankshaft rotates in the second direction for providing forward and reverse torque, respectively;
- a pump separate from the engine and operatively connected with the controller and drivingly connected with the crankshaft for providing a predetermined flow of fluid when the crankshaft rotates in the first direction;
- an electrically-actuated reversing valve in fluid communication between the crankshaft and the pump and operatively connected to the controller;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to actuate the electrically-actuated reversing valve when the crankshaft rotates in the second direction, thereby maintaining the predetermined flow of fluid from the pump.
5 more elements
A powertrain comprising:
- an engine having a crankshaft rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction;
- a controller configured to control the direction of rotation of the crankshaft;
- an electrically variable transmission having an input member operatively connected with the crankshaft and an output member for providing driving torque;
- wherein the output member rotates in a forward direction when the crankshaft rotates in the first direction and rotates in a reverse direction when the crankshaft rotates in the second direction for providing forward and reverse torque, respectively;
- an auxiliary drive train operatively connected to and driven by the crankshaft both when the crankshaft rotates in the first direction of rotation and when the crankshaft rotates in the second direction of rotation;
- wherein the auxiliary drive train is characterized by rotation in a predetermined direction when the crankshaft rotates in the first direction;
- and
- a rotating member operatively connected to the controller and selectively engagable with the auxiliary drive train via the controller when the crankshaft rotates in the second direction to change a direction of rotation of the auxiliary drive train to the predetermined direction.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.