Granted Patent B2

US 7,238,132 · App. 11/078,248 · Granted Jul 3, 2007

Abstract

Claims (55)

1. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis;

an output member connected to a transfer member rotatably supported on a transfer bearing for transmitting power to a secondary axis;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second gear sets each having first, second and third members, said first gear set being a compound planetary gear set and said second gear set being a simple planetary gear set;

said input member being continuously connected to said first member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected to said first member of said second gear set;

said first motor/generator being continuously connected to said second member of said first gear set;

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

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said second member of said second gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said second member of said second gear set to said first electric motor/generator;

a third torque transfer device selectively connecting said first and third members of said first gear set;

wherein said third member of said first gear set is selectively or continuously connected with said third member of said second gear set; and

wherein said transfer member and transfer bearing are positioned between said first and second motor/generators.

2. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned between said first and second gear sets.

3. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said transfer member comprises a transfer gear on said transfer bearing positioned between said first and second gear sets.

4. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said transfer member and transfer bearing are not positioned between said first and second gear sets.

5. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first gear set comprise a ring gear, a sun gear, and a carrier, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second gear set comprise a carrier, ring gear and sun gear respectively.

6. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first motor/generator is supported on a radially extending support member positioned between said first and second planetary gear sets.

7. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said second motor/generator is supported on a cantilevered support member.

8. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth torque transfer device selectively grounding said third member of said second gear set.

9. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , further comprising a fifth torque transfer device selectively interconnecting said third members of said first and second gear sets.

10. The electrically variable transmission of claim 9 , wherein said fifth torque transfer device is embodied as a dog clutch.

11. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second gear sets each having first, second and third members, said first gear set being a compound planetary gear set and said second gear set being a simple planetary gear set;

said input member being continuously connected to said first member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected to said first member of said second gear set;

said first motor/generator being continuously connected to said second member of said first gear set;

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

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said second member of said second gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said second member of said second gear set to said first electric motor/generator; and

a third torque transfer device selectively interconnecting said first and third members of said first gear set;

wherein said transfer member and transfer bearing are positioned between said first and second motor/generators, and wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned between said first and second gear sets.

12. The electrically variable transmission of claim 11 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first gear set comprise a ring gear, a sun gear, and a carrier, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second gear set comprise a carrier, ring gear and sun gear respectively.

13. The electrically variable transmission of claim 12 , wherein said transfer member comprises a transfer gear on a transfer bearing positioned between said first and second gear sets.

14. The electrically variable transmission of claim 12 , wherein said transfer member and transfer bearing are not positioned between said first and second gear sets.

15. The electrically variable transmission of claim 13 , wherein said second motor/generator is supported on a cantilevered support member.

16. The electrically variable transmission of claim 12 , further comprising a fourth torque transfer device selectively grounding said third member of said second gear set.

17. The electrically variable transmission of claim 16 , further comprising a fifth torque transfer device selectively interconnecting said third members of said first and second gear sets.

18. The electrically variable transmission of claim 17 , wherein said fifth torque transfer device is embodied as a dog clutch.

19. An electrically variable transmission comprising:

an input member to receive power from an engine;

an output member connected to a transfer gear on a transfer bearing;

first and second motor/generators;

first and second planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a plurality of gear members rotatably mounted on a carrier, said first gear set being a compound planetary gear set and said second gear set being a simple planetary gear set;

said input member being operatively connected to said ring gear member of said first planetary gear set;

said output member being operatively connected to said carrier of said second planetary gear set;

one of said first and said second motor/generators operatively connected to said sun gear member in said first planetary gear set;

the other of said first and said second motor/generator being in continuous, operative connection with sun gear member of said second gear set and with said carrier of said first gear set;

a first torque transfer device selectively grounding said ring gear member of said second planetary gear set;

a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear member of said second planetary gear set to said first motor/generator; and

a third torque transfer device selectively connecting said ring gear and said carrier of said first gear set; and

a fourth torque transfer device selectively grounding said sun gear of said second gear set;

wherein said transfer member and transfer bearing are positioned between said first and second motor/generators, and wherein said first and second torque transfer devices are positioned between said first and second gear sets.

Assignments (13)