Granted Patent B2

US 7,479,082 · App. 11/561,061 · Granted Jan 20, 2009

Abstract

Claims (48)

1. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member;

first, second and third motor/generators;

first, second and third differential gear sets each having first, second and third members;

said input member being continuously connected with a member of said first, second or third gear set, and said output member being continuously connected with another member of said first, second or third gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set;

a second interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said first gear set with said second member of said second gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously connecting said third member of said second gear set with said first member of said third gear set;

a first brake selectively connecting at least one member of said first, second or third gear set with a stationary member;

said first motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said first or second gear set;

said second motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said second or third gear set;

said third motor/generator being continuously connected with another member of said first or third gear set;

wherein said brake and first, second and third motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to provide an electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios between said input member and said output member.

2. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first brake is operable for enabling series hybrid operation in the electrically variable transmission.

3. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third differential gear sets are planetary gear sets.

4. The electrically variable transmission of claim 3 , wherein carriers of each of said planetary gear sets are single-pinion carriers.

5. The electrically variable transmission of claim 3 , wherein at least one carrier of said planetary gear sets is a double-pinion carrier.

6. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second brake selectively connecting a member of said first, second or third gear set with said stationary member.

7. The electrically variable transmission of claim 6 , further comprising:

a third brake selectively connecting a member of said first, second or third gear set with said stationary member.

8. The electrically variable transmission of claim 7 , further comprising:

a fourth brake selectively connecting a member of said first, second or third gear set with said stationary member.

9. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said motor/generators is connected with said gear sets through a fixed or variable speed ratio device.

10. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member;

first, second and third motor/generators;

first, second and third differential gear sets each having first, second and third members;

said input member being continuously connected with a member of said first, second or third gear set, and said output member being continuously connected with another member of said first, second or third gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set;

a second interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said first gear set with said second member of said second gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously connecting said third member of said second gear set with said first member of said third gear set;

a brake selectively connecting at least one member of said first, second or third gear set with a stationary member;

said first, second and third motor/generators being continuously connected with members of said gear sets;

wherein said brake and first, second and third motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to provide an electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios between said input member and said output member.

11. The electrically variable transmission of claim 10 , wherein said brake is operable for enabling series hybrid operation in the electrically variable transmission.

12. The electrically variable transmission of claim 10 , wherein said first, second and third differential gear sets are planetary gear sets.

13. The electrically variable transmission of claim 12 , wherein carriers of each of said planetary gear sets are single-pinion carriers.

14. The electrically variable transmission of claim 12 , wherein at least one carrier of said planetary gear sets is a double-pinion carrier.

15. The electrically variable transmission of claim 10 , further comprising:

a second brake selectively connecting a member of said first, second or third gear set with said stationary member.

16. The electrically variable transmission of claim 10 , further comprising:

a third brake selectively connecting a member of said first, second or third gear sets with said stationary member.

17. The electrically variable transmission of claim 10 , further comprising:

a fourth brake selectively connecting a member of said first, second or third gear sets with said stationary member.

18. The electrically variable transmission of claim 10 , wherein at least one of said motor/generators is connected with said gear sets through a fixed or variable speed ratio device.

Assignments (12)