Multi-mode electromechanical variable transmission

A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first planetary gear set;
• a second planetary gear set coupled to the first planetary gear set;
• an engine coupled to the first planetary gear set with a connecting shaft, wherein the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, and the connecting shaft are radially aligned;
• a first electromagnetic device coupled to the first planetary gear set, wherein the first electromagnetic device includes a first shaft;
• a second electromagnetic device coupled to the second planetary gear set and selectively rotationally engaged with the engine, wherein the second electromagnetic device includes a second shaft, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are radially aligned with the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, and the connecting shaft, and wherein the connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary gear set to the first planetary gear set;
• and
• an output selectively coupled to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the output is radially offset from the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, and the connecting shaft;
• wherein the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into a low range mode whereby the output is coupled to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into a mid range mode whereby the output is coupled to the first planetary gear set and a rotational movement of the second planetary gear set is limited, and wherein the drive system is selectively reconfigurable into a high range mode whereby the output is coupled to the first planetary gear set and the second electromagnetic device is rotationally engaged with the engine.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a multi-mode transmission including:
• a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, wherein the first planetary gear carrier and the second planetary gear carrier are rotatably coupled;
• a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set;
• and
• a second motor/generator coupled to the second gear set;
• an engine selectively coupled to the second gear set;
• and
• a drive axle selectively coupled to the multi-mode transmission;
• wherein during a power generation mode of the multi-mode transmission the engine is coupled to the second motor/generator and decoupled from the drive axle, and
• wherein during a series electric mode of the multi-mode transmission the engine is decoupled from the second motor/generator, the second motor/generator is selectively coupled to the drive axle, and the engine is coupled to the first motor/generator.

A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first gear set including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first plurality of planetary gears coupling the first sun gear to the first ring gear, and a first carrier rotationally supporting the first plurality of planetary gears;
• a second gear set including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, a second plurality of planetary gears coupling the second sun gear to the second ring gear, and a second carrier rotationally supporting the second plurality of planetary gears, wherein the first carrier is directly coupled to the second carrier;
• a first electrical machine directly coupled to the first sun gear of the first gear set;
• a second electrical machine directly coupled to the second sun gear of the second gear set;
• a driveshaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine to a tractive element of the vehicle;
• a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft when engaged;
• and
• a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second gear set to the drive shaft when engaged.