Hybrid electric conversion kit for rear-wheel drive, all wheel drive, and four wheel drive vehicles

1. A method of retrofitting a vehicle to a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a transmission and a driveshaft;

connecting a dual input differential to the driveshaft downstream from the transmission;

connecting a motor-generator to the dual input differential;

connecting a battery to the motor-generator using a power electronics module;

connecting an input signal from the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator to a controller; and

connecting an output signal from the controller to the motor-generator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the controller defines hybrid electric modes comprising a generating mode, a motoring mode, a braking mode and an electric only mode.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

powering the vehicle with the internal combustion engine;

powering the vehicle with the motor-generator and the battery;

charging the battery with the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator; and

charging the battery while slowing the vehicle with the motor-generator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein connecting the dual input differential comprises replacing a differential with a rear-through differential.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the method does not modify a control system of the internal combustion engine.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a parallel hybrid electric vehicle retrofit kit for the vehicle, the retrofit kit including the motor-generator, a dual input modification subassembly comprising a differential pinion and a differential pinion shaft assembly, wherein the dual input modification subassembly creates a second differential input adapted for connecting the motor-generator to the driveshaft, the battery, a power electronics module having a first electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to the battery and a second electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to the motor-generator, and the controller.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the controller includes a first communication connection for receiving signals from the internal combustion engine and a second communication connection for connecting to the motor-generator, the controller further including a decision circuit adapted to activate the motor-generator to transfer electrical energy to or from the battery into mechanical energy to or from the driveshaft.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of rear wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy duty multiple-driven-axle vehicles and all-wheel drive vehicles.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising electrically connecting a plug for connection to an alternating current power supply to the battery through a rectifier electrically connected to the plug and the battery.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the controller exclusively sends signals to the motor-generator.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the controller does not send signals to the internal combustion engine.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the dual input differential comprises a rear-through differential.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein connecting the dual input differential comprises modifying a differential having a first pinion and a first pinion shaft having a first input from the internal combustion engine to also include a second pinion and a second pinion shaft having a second input from the motor-generator.

14. A method of retrofitting a vehicle to a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a transmission, a driveshaft and a differential connected to the driveshaft downstream from the transmission;

modifying the differential to a dual input differential having a first input from the internal combustion engine and a second input from a motor-generator;

connecting the motor-generator to the modified differential;

connecting a battery to the motor-generator using a power electronics module;

connecting an input signal from the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator to a controller; and

connecting an output signal from the controller to the motor-generator.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the controller defines hybrid electric modes comprising a generating mode, a motoring mode, a braking mode and an electric only mode.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

powering the vehicle with the internal combustion engine;

powering the vehicle with the motor-generator and the battery;

charging the battery with the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator; and

charging the battery while slowing the vehicle with the motor-generator.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of rear wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy duty multiple-driven-axle vehicles and all-wheel drive vehicles.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising electrically connecting a plug for connection to an alternating current power supply to the battery through a rectifier electrically connected to the plug and the battery.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the controller exclusively sends signals to the motor-generator.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the controller does not send signals to the internal combustion engine.