Granted Patent B2

US 7,172,525 · App. 11/040,642 · Granted Feb 6, 2007

Abstract

Claims (63)

1. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members;

said input member not being continuously connected with any member of said planetary gear sets, and said output member being continuously connected to said first member of said second planetary gear set;

said first and second motor/generators each being continuously connected to at least one member of said planetary gear sets;

said first member of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with said third member of said second planetary gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said second member of said second planetary gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said second member of said second planetary gear set to said second member of said first planetary gear set;

a third torque transfer device selectively grounding said third member of said second planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transfer device selectively connecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;

a fifth torque transfer device selectively grounding said third member of said first planetary gear set; and

a sixth torque transfer device selectively connecting said third member of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;

wherein said torque transfer devices enable a mechanical-only reverse mode of operation, in addition to a continuously variable range of speed ratios and fixed forward ratio modes of operation.

2. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first planetary gear set comprise a carrier, sun gear and ring gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second planetary gear set comprise a carrier, ring gear and sun gear respectively.

3. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first planetary gear set comprises a compound planetary gear set, and said second planetary gear set comprises a simple planetary gear set.

4. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first planetary gear set comprise a ring gear, sun gear and carrier, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second planetary gear set comprise a carrier, ring gear and sun gear respectively.

5. The electrically variable transmission of claim 4 , wherein said first and second planetary gear sets comprise simple planetary gear sets.

6. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical-only reverse mode of operation is achieved with the engagement of said second, fourth and fifth torque transfer devices.

7. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein:

said first motor/generator is continuously connected to said second member of said first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to said second member of said second planetary gear set; and

said second motor/generator is continuously connected with said third member of said second planetary gear set.

8. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear;

said input member not being continuously connected with any member of said planetary gear sets, and said output member being continuously connected to said carrier of said second planetary gear set;

said first and second motor/generators each being continuously connected to at least one member of said planetary gear sets;

said carrier of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with said sun gear of said second planetary gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said ring gear of said second planetary gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear of said second planetary gear set to said sun gear of said first planetary gear set;

a third torque transfer device selectively grounding said sun gear of said second planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transfer device selectively connecting said carrier of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;

a fifth torque transfer device selectively grounding said ring gear of said first planetary gear set; and

a sixth torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;

wherein said torque transfer devices enable a mechanical-only reverse mode of operation, in addition to a continuously variable range of speed ratios and fixed forward ratio modes of operation.

9. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein said first planetary gear set comprises a compound planetary gear set, and said second planetary gear set comprises a simple planetary gear set.

10. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein:

said first motor/generator is continuously connected to said sun gear of said first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to said ring gear of said second planetary gear set; and

said second motor/generator is continuously connected with said sun gear of said second planetary gear set.

11. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein said mechanical-only reverse mode of operation is achieved with the engagement of said second, fourth and fifth torque transfer devices.

12. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear;

said input member not being continuously connected with any member of said planetary gear sets, and said output member being continuously connected to said carrier of said second planetary gear set;

said first and second motor/generators each being continuously connected to at least one member of said planetary gear sets;

said ring gear of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with said sun gear of said second planetary gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said ring gear of said second planetary gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear of said second planetary gear set to said sun gear of said first planetary gear set;

a third torque transfer device selectively grounding said sun gear of said second planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;

a fifth torque transfer device selectively grounding said carrier of said first planetary gear set; and

a sixth torque transfer device selectively connecting said carrier of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;

wherein said torque transfer devices enable a mechanical-only reverse mode of operation, in addition to a continuously variable range of speed ratios and fixed forward ratio modes of operation.

13. The electrically variable transmission of claim 12 , wherein said first and second planetary gear sets comprise simple planetary gear sets.

14. The electrically variable transmission of claim 13 , wherein:

said first motor/generator is continuously connected to said sun gear of said first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to said ring gear of said second planetary gear set; and

said second motor/generator is continuously connected with said sun gear of said second planetary gear set.

15. The electrically variable transmission of claim 14 , wherein said mechanical-only reverse mode of operation is achieved with the engagement of said second, fourth and fifth torque transfer devices.

Assignments (6)