IP Library Granted Patent US 7,166,050
Granted Patent B2
US 7,166,050 · App. 11/058,574 · Granted Jan 23, 2007

Powertrain with an electrically-variable transmission

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,166,050
App. No.
11/058,574
Granted
Jan 23, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A powertrain incorporates two electrical units, two planetary gearsets in a radially-stacked package to provide a shortened length of the transmission. The output members of the electrical units are interconnected by a gear mechanism, which is drivingly connected with a conventional differential mechanism, which is aligned within the radial package of the electrical units. The electrical units combine with power from an engine to provide a two-mode compound-split electrically-variable transmission.

Claims (14)

1. A powertrain having an electrically-variable transmission comprising:

an engine;

said electrically-variable transmission including an input shaft continuously drivingly connected with said engine;

a first electrical unit;

a second electrical unit;

a first planetary gearset rotatably disposed within said first electrical unit having a sun gear member continuously connected with said first electrical unit, a ring gear member and a planet carrier member continuously drivingly connected with an output member;

a second planetary gearset rotatably disposed within said second electrical unit having a sun gear member continuously connected with said second electrical unit, a planet carrier member continuously drivingly connected with an output member, and a ring gear member;

said ring gear member of said first planetary gearset being provided with a selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanism for selective connection with said transmission input shaft;

said second planetary gearset being selectively connectible with a stationary portion of said transmission through a second selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanism; and

said output member of said first planetary gearset and said output member of said second planetary gearset being disposed in meshing relationship with a transfer gear means which in turn is meshingly engaged with a final drive mechanism of said transmission.

2. The powertrain defined in claim 1 further wherein:

said input shaft is drivingly connected with a hydraulic pump arrangement and with a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear member continuously drivingly connected with said first electrical unit, a ring gear member continuously drivingly connected with an interconnecting gear member, and a planet carrier member drivingly connected with said input shaft;

said interconnecting gear member drivingly connected with a transfer gear which is continuously connected with said second electrical unit; and

said transfer gear member being selectively connectible with said transmission housing with a third torque-transmitting mechanism.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034371/0676 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0936 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0442 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025311/0770 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0052 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0468 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0429 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0446 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0022 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2005
From: SCHMIDT, MICHAEL R.; KLEMEN, DONALD; HOLMES, ALAN G.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016024/0296 →