IP Library Granted Patent US 8,261,550
Granted Patent B2
US 8,261,550 · App. 12/516,827 · Granted Sep 11, 2012

Power unit for an automotive vehicle and vehicle including such a power unit

Assignee: Renault Trucks
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,261,550
App. No.
12/516,827
Granted
Sep 11, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power unit for an automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine electrically connected to electrical power storage arrangement, and a turbocharger comprising a first turbine located in an exhaust line of the engine. This power unit further includes a second turbine, located in an exhaust line of the engine and drivingly connected to the electric machine, and a transmission set. A first input/output of the transmission set is connected to the second turbine and a second input/output of the transmission set is connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission set has an adjustable speed reduction ratio between its first and second inputs/outputs.

Claims (29)

1. A power unit for an automotive vehicle the unit comprising:

an internal combustion engine,

an electric machine electrically connected to an electrical power storage arrangement,

a turbocharger comprising a first turbine located in an exhaust line of the engine,

a second turbine located in an exhaust line of the engine, and drivingly connected to the electric machine, and

a transmission set having a first input/output connected to the second turbine and a second input/output connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine

wherein the power transmission set is a triple input/output transmission set having a third input/output connected to the electric machine and has a speed reduction ratio between first and second inputs/outputs thereof that is adjustable by controlling the electric machine.

2. Power unit according to claim 1 , wherein the triple input/output transmission set comprises an epicyclic gear train.

3. Power unit according to claim 2 , wherein a sun of the sear train is coupled to the crankshaft.

4. Power unit according to claim 2 , wherein a ring of the gear train is coupled to the crankshaft.

5. Power unit according to claim 2 , wherein a satellite-carrier oldie gear train is coupled to the crankshaft.

6. Power unit according to claim 2 , wherein a sun of the gear train is coupled to the turbine.

7. Power unit according to claim 2 , wherein a ring of the gear train is coupled to the turbine.

8. Power unit according to claim 2 , wherein a satellite carrier of the gear train is coupled to the turbine.

9. Power unit according to claim 1 , wherein the electric machine can work as a generator or as a motor, depending on the working conditions of the power unit.

10. Power unit according to claim 1 , wherein it also includes another electric machine electrically connected to the electrical power storage arrangement and coupled to the crankshaft independently of the triple input/output transmission set.

11. Power unit according to claim 10 , wherein both electric machines can work as a generator or as a motor, depending on the working conditions of the power unit.

12. Power unit according to claim 1 , wherein it also includes another electric machine electrically connected to the electrical power storage arrangement and mechanically coupled to the second turbine and to the first input/output of the transmission set.

13. Power unit according to claim 1 , wherein it also includes another electric machine, electrically connected to the electrical power storage arrangement and mechanically coupled to a compressor ( 171 ) and to a turbine of the turbo charger.

14. An automotive vehicle including a power unit according to claim 1 .

15. Power unit according to claim 1 , comprising means for controlling the electric machine to adjust the speed reduction ratio between the first and second inputs/outputs to optimize working conditions of the second turbine and the internal combustion engine.

16. A power unit for an automotive vehicle the unit comprising:

an internal combustion engine,

an electric machine electrically connected to an electrical power storage arrangement,

a turbocharger comprising a first turbine located in an exhaust line of the engine,

a second turbine located in an exhaust line of the engine, and drivingly connected to the electric machine, and

a transmission set having a first input/output connected to the second turbine and a second input/output connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, and

another electric machine electrically connected to the electrical power storage arrangement and coupled to the crankshaft independently of the triple input/output transmission set,

wherein the power transmission set is a triple input/output transmission set having a third input/output connected to the electric machine and has a speed reduction ratio between first and second inputs/outputs thereof that is adjustable and the other electric machine can deliver, when it works as a motor, a maximum power which is higher than the maximum power which can be delivered by the electric machine connected to the second input/output of the transmission set.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8365890 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 034687 FRAME: 0682. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 10, 2015
From: RENAULT TRUCKS
To: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034927/0208 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2014
From: RENAULT TRUCKS
To: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034687/0682 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2009
From: SARTRE, VINCENT
To: RENAULT TRUCKS
Reel/Frame 022751/0191 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100044127A1 · Feb 25, 2010