Hybrid powertrain with operator selectable electric propulsion mode

A powertrain for a vehicle with wheels comprising:

• an engine;
• a transmission having an input member and an output member and operable to provide a plurality of gear ratios between the input member and the output member;
• wherein the transmission is one of an automatic transmission and a manual transmission;
• a selectively disengageable clutch between the engine and the input member;
• wherein the transmission has a neutral state in which torque is not transmitted from the input member to the output member;
• a first motor/generator having a rotor connected directly or indirectly with the engine regardless of whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged;
• a second motor/generator having a rotor connected directly or indirectly with some of the wheels;
• wherein the first motor/generator is selectively operable as a generator when powered by the engine to provide electric power to the second motor/generator;
• an electric energy storage device;
• wherein the second motor/generator is selectively operable as a motor when receiving electric power from the electric energy storage device or from the first motor/generator;
• a motor controller operable to cause each of the first and the second motor/generators to function either as a motor or as a generator;
• an operator shift selector movable to an electronic propulsion position that places the powertrain in an electric propulsion mode in which the second motor/generator functions as a motor to provide propulsion power to said some of the wheels and in which the transmission is in the neutral state;
• and
• a shift indicator operatively connected to the motor controller and operable to provide an output signal indicative of a direction to shift the transmission to one of said gear ratios.

A powertrain operable to propel a vehicle with wheels comprising:

• an engine;
• a selectively engageable clutch;
• a transmission connecting the engine with the vehicle wheels when the selectively engageable clutch is engaged, and having multiple gear ratios and a neutral state in which engine power is not transmitted to the wheels through the transmission;
• a first motor/generator coupled directly or indirectly to the wheels when the selectively engageable clutch is engaged and operable to start the engine, generate electricity, and assist the engine in providing propulsion torque;
• a second motor/generator coupled to the front or the rear wheels either directly or indirectly through the transmission and configured to receive power from the battery, the first motor/generator, or both to operate as a motor providing vehicle propulsion;
• a controller connected to the motor/generators and operable to control each of the motor/generators to function as a motor or as a generator in response to vehicle operating conditions;
• and
• an operator shift selector selectively movable to place the transmission in the neutral state so that the engine is mechanically separated from the wheels and to cause the controller to operate the second motor/generator as a motor to provide torque at the vehicle wheels to propel the vehicle, thereby establishing an electric propulsion mode.