Power train, vehicle and methods

A powertrain adapted to drive one or more of a plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed along longitudinally-opposing sides of an associated vehicle, said powertrain comprising:

• at least one engine including an engine rotational connection;
• a first electric machine including a first EM rotational connection operatively connected to said engine rotational connection;
• a second electric machine including a second EM rotational connection and a third EM rotational connection;
• a third electric machine including a fourth EM rotational connection and a fifth EM rotational connection;
• a first differential mechanism including first, second and third DF rotational connections, said first DF rotational connection being operatively connected to said engine rotational connection and said first EM rotational connection, said second DF rotational connection being operatively connected to said second EM rotational connection, and said third DF rotational connection operatively connected to drivably engage one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed on one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle;
• and,
• a second differential mechanism including fourth, fifth and sixth DF rotational connections, said fourth DF rotational connection being operatively connected to said engine rotational connection and said first EM rotational connection, said fifth DF rotational connection being operatively connected to said fourth EM rotational connection, and said sixth DF rotational connection operatively connected to drivably engage one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed on the other of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle;
• and,
• a differential shaft operatively connecting said third and fifth EM rotational connections.

A powertrain adapted to drive one or more of a plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed along longitudinally-opposing sides of an associated vehicle, said powertrain comprising:

• at least one engine including an engine rotational connection;
• a first electric machine including a first EM rotational connection operatively connected to said engine rotational connection;
• a second electric machine including a second EM rotational connection;
• a third electric machine including a third EM rotational connection;
• a first differential mechanism operatively connected to said engine rotational connection, said first EM rotational connection, said second EM rotational connection, and one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed on one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle;
• a second differential mechanism operatively connected to said engine rotational connection, said first EM rotational connection, said third EM rotational connection, and one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed on the other of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle;
• and,
• a power electronics module in electrical communication with at least said first, second and third electric machines;
• said powertrain configured for two or more modes of operation selected from the group consisting of:
• a first mode of operation in which said powertrain is adapted for high speed, low torque operation during which electrical power is generated by said first electric machine and transmitted to at least one of said second and third electric machines to drive one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed at least one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle;
• a second mode of operation in which said powertrain is adapted for operation as a stationary electrical power generator during which rotational output from said at least one engine is transmitted to two or more of said first, second and third electric machines such that said two or more of said first, second and third electric machines generate electrical power and transmits at least a portion of said electrical power to said power electronics module with said power electronics module being capable of delivering electrical power to an external power connection;
• a third mode of operation in which said powertrain is adapted for low-speed, high-torque operation during which electrical power is generated by said second and third electric machines and transmitted to said first electric machine to drive one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed at least one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle;
• and,
• a fourth mode of operation in which said powertrain is adapted for engine-only operation during which said first, second and third electric machines are electrically inoperable and rotational output from said at least one engine is transmitted to at least one of said first and second differential mechanisms to drive one or more of the plurality of associated ground-engaging elements disposed at least one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle.