IP Library Granted Patent US 8,961,344
Granted Patent B2
US 8,961,344 · App. 13/659,988 · Granted Feb 24, 2015

Hybrid transmission

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,961,344
App. No.
13/659,988
Granted
Feb 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a stationary member. First and second planetary gearsets each have respective first, second, and third members. A first motor/generator has a first rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith. A second motor/generator has a second rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith. The transmission also includes first, second, and third torque transmitting devices operative to selectively connect members of the planetary gearsets with the input member, the stationary member, or with other members of the planetary gearsets to provide two electric vehicle modes, two electrically variable modes, and a fixed gear ratio mode of transmission operation.

Claims (55)

1. A transmission comprising:

an input member; a stationary member;

first and second planetary gearsets each having respective first, second, and third members;

an output member operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith;

a first motor/generator having a first rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith;

a second motor/generator having a second rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith; and

first, second, and third torque transmitting devices operative to selectively connect members of said planetary gearsets with said input member or said stationary member to provide two electric vehicle modes, two electrically variable modes, and a fixed gear ratio mode of transmission operation.

2. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the first member of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the first rotor for unitary rotation therewith;

wherein the second member of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the third member of the second planetary gearset and the output member for unitary rotation therewith;

wherein the third member of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the first member of the second planetary gearset for unitary rotation therewith; and

wherein the second member of the second planetary gearset is operatively connected to the second rotor for unitary rotation therewith.

3. The transmission of claim 2 , wherein the first torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the input member to the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the second planetary gearset for unitary rotation;

wherein the second torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the input member to the first rotor and the first member of the first planetary gearset for unitary rotation; and

wherein the third torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the third member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset to the stationary member.

4. The transmission of claim 3 , wherein the first member of the first planetary gearset is a first ring gear member;

wherein the second member of the first planetary gearset is a first sun gear member; and

wherein the third member of the first planetary gearset is a first planet carrier member.

5. The transmission of claim 4 , wherein the first member of the second planetary gearset is a second ring gear member;

wherein the second member of the second planetary gearset is a second sun gear member; and

wherein the third member of the second planetary gearset is a second planet carrier member.

6. The transmission of claim 2 , wherein the first torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the input member to the third member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset for unitary rotation;

wherein the second torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the input member to the first rotor and the first member of the first planetary gearset for unitary rotation; and

wherein the third torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the third member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset to the stationary member.

7. The transmission of claim 6 , wherein the first member of the first planetary gearset is a first sun gear member;

wherein the second member of the first planetary gearset is a first ring gear member; and

wherein the third member of the first planetary gearset is a first planet carrier member.

8. The transmission of claim 7 , wherein the first member of the second planetary gearset is a second ring gear member;

wherein the second member of the second planetary gearset is a second sun gear member; and

wherein the third member of the second planetary gearset is a second planet carrier member.

9. A transmission comprising:

an input member; an output member; and a stationary member;

first and second planetary gearsets each having respective first, second, and third members;

a first motor/generator having a first rotor;

a second motor/generator having a second rotor;

said first member of the first planetary gearset being operatively connected to the first rotor for unitary rotation therewith;

said second member of the first planetary gearset being operatively connected to the third member of the second planetary gearset and the output member for unitary rotation therewith;

said third member of the first planetary gearset being operatively connected to the first member of the second planetary gearset for unitary rotation therewith;

said the second member of the second planetary gearset being operatively connected to the second rotor for unitary rotation therewith;

first, second, and third torque transmitting devices operative to selectively connect members of said planetary gearsets with said input member or said stationary member;

wherein the first torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the input member to the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the second planetary gearset for unitary rotation;

wherein the second torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the input member to the first rotor and the first member of the first planetary gearset for unitary rotation; and

wherein the third torque transmitting device is configured to selectively couple the third member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset to the stationary member.

10. The transmission of claim 9 , wherein the first member of the first planetary gearset is a first ring gear member;

wherein the second member of the first planetary gearset is a first sun gear member; and

wherein the third member of the first planetary gearset is a first planet carrier member.

11. The transmission of claim 10 , wherein the first member of the second planetary gearset is a second ring gear member;

wherein the second member of the second planetary gearset is a second sun gear member; and

wherein the third member of the second planetary gearset is a second planet carrier member.

12. A transmission comprising:

an input member; a stationary member;

first and second planetary gearsets each having respective first, second, and third members;

an output member operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith;

a first motor/generator having a first rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith;

a second motor/generator having a second rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith; and

first, second, and third torque transmitting devices operative to selectively connect members of said planetary gearsets with said input member or said stationary member to provide two electric vehicle modes, two electrically variable modes, a fixed gear ratio mode, and a reverse gear mode of transmission operation.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0601 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 26, 2013
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 030694/0591 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2012
From: KIM, MIN-JOONG; SCHOENEK, NORMAN; SWALES, SHAWN H
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 029189/0245 →