High-efficiency drive system including a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle

A high-efficiency drive system including a

• transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle, the system comprising:
• a gear set including first, second and third elements, the first element connectable with a transmission output shaft, an output shaft of a non-electrical machine connectable with the second element for driving the second element;
• a transmission housing;
• a first electrical machine having a first output shaft connectable with the first element and the transmission output shaft for driving the transmission output shaft in response to an electrical signal;
• a second electrical machine having a second output shaft connectable with the third element for driving the third element, the output shaft of the non-electrical machine connectable with the third element through the second element for driving the third element;
• a first non-friction clutch assembly being non-hydraulically controlled to change between a first coupled state for coupling either the first or second output shaft to the transmission output shaft and an uncoupled state for uncoupling whichever of the first or second output shafts had been coupled from the transmission output shaft, the first non-friction clutch assembly also being non-hydraulically controlled to change between a second coupled state for coupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine to the transmission output shaft and a second uncoupled state for uncoupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine from the transmission output shaft;
• and
• a second non-friction clutch assembly being non-hydraulically controlled to change between a first coupled state for coupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine to the second element and a first uncoupled state for uncoupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine from the second element, the second clutch assembly also being non-hydraulically controlled to change between a second coupled state for coupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine to the third element and a second uncoupled state for uncoupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine from the third element.