Output-split electrically-variable transmission with two planetary gear sets and two motor/generators

An electrically-variable transmission for use with an engine, comprising:

• an input member configured for operative interconnection with the engine;
• an output member;
• a stationary member;
• first and second motor/generators;
• a first and a second planetary gear set each having respective first, second, and third members;
• wherein each of the motor/generators is connected to a different one of the planetary gear sets and the input member and the output member are selectively or continuously connected to one of the members of the first planetary gear set and one of the members of the second planetary gear set, respectively;
• wherein the first member of the first planetary gear set is a ring gear member, the second member of the first planetary gear set is a sun gear member, and the third member of the first planetary gear set is a carrier member;
• wherein the first motor/generator is positioned axially between the planetary gear sets;
• a first, a second, and a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect at least some of the members of the planetary gear sets with one of the stationary member, the input member, or another of the members of the planetary gear sets;
• a first one-way clutch operatively connected to the first motor/generator to allow the first motor/generator to start the engine when none of the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged;
• wherein the motor/generators are controllable and the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable in different combinations to establish a one-motor electric-only mode, a two-motor electric-only mode, a series mode, an output-split mode, and at least one neutral mode;
• a second one-way clutch grounded to the stationary member to provide reaction torque to the member of the first planetary gear set connected with the input member during the two-motor electric-only mode, thereby allowing the first motor/generator to provide reaction torque;
• wherein the third torque-transmitting mechanism is positioned axially between the second one-way clutch and the first planetary gear set;
• wherein the first planetary gear set is positioned axially between the third torque-transmitting mechanism and the first one-way clutch;
• wherein the first one-way clutch is positioned axially between the first planetary gear set and the first motor/generator;
• wherein the first torque-transmitting mechanism is radially stacked with the second torque-transmitting mechanism and is positioned axially between the first motor/generator and the second planetary gear set;
• and wherein the second planetary gear set is positioned axially between the second torque-transmitting mechanism and the second motor/generator.

An electrically-variable transmission for use with an engine, comprising:

• an input member configured for operative interconnection with the engine;
• an output member;
• a stationary member;
• first and second motor/generators;
• a first and a second planetary gear set each having respective first, second, and third members;
• wherein each of the motor/generators is connected to a different one of the planetary gear sets and the input member and the output member are selectively or continuously connected to one of the members of the first planetary gear set and one of the members of the second planetary gear set, respectively;
• wherein the first member of the first planetary gear set is a ring gear member, the second member of the first planetary gear set is a sun gear member, and the third member of the first planetary gear set is a carrier member;
• wherein the first motor/generator is positioned axially between the planetary gear sets;
• a first, a second, and a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect at least some of the members of the planetary gear sets with one of the stationary member, the input member, or another of the members of the planetary gear sets;
• a one-way clutch grounded to the stationary member to provide reaction torque to the member of the first planetary gear set connected with the input member during a two-motor electric-only mode, thereby allowing the first motor/generator to provide reaction torque;
• wherein the motor/generators are controllable and the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable in different combinations to establish a one-motor electric-only mode, the two-motor electric-only mode, a series mode, an output-split mode, and at least one neutral mode, with a shift from the output-split mode to the series mode occurring without slipping of the torque-transmitting mechanisms and while the first motor/generator remains operatively connected with the engine through the first planetary gear set;
• wherein the third torque-transmitting mechanism is positioned axially between the one-way clutch and the first planetary gear set;
• wherein the first planetary gear set is positioned axially between the third torque-transmitting mechanism and the first motor/generator;
• wherein the first torque-transmitting mechanism is radially stacked with the second torque-transmitting mechanism and is positioned axially between the first motor/generator and the second planetary gear set;
• and wherein the second planetary gear set is positioned axially between the second torque-transmitting mechanism and the second motor/generator.