Hybrid architecture incorporating three motor generators and brakes
View Patent ↗The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, three electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators and up to three brakes. The three motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse). One of the brakes enables series hybrid operation.
1. An electrically variable transmission comprising:
an input member to receive power from an engine;
an output member;
first, second and third motor/generators;
first and second differential gear sets each having first, second and third members;
said input member being continuously connected with a member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected with a member of said second gear set;
an interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set;
a brake selectively connecting a member of said first or second gear set with a stationary member for enabling series hybrid reverse operation in the electrically variable transmission;
said first motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said first gear set;
said second motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said second gear set;
said third motor/generator being continuously connected with another member of said first or second gear set;
wherein said first, second and third motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to provide said electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios between said input member and said output member.
2. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said motor/generators is connected with said gear sets through at least one fixed or variable speed ratio device.
3. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first and second differential gear sets are planetary gear sets.
4. The electrically variable transmission of claim 3 , wherein at least one carrier of said planetary gear sets is a double-pinion carrier.
5. The electrically variable transmission of claim 3 , wherein carriers of each of said planetary gear sets are single-pinion carriers.
6. The electrically variable transmission of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second brake selectively connecting a member of said first or second gear set with said stationary member.
7. The electrically variable transmission of claim 6 , further comprising:
a third brake selectively connecting another member of said first or second gear set with said stationary member.
8. An electrically variable transmission comprising:
an input member to receive power from an engine;
an output member;
first, second and third motor/generators;
first and second differential gear sets each having first, second and third members;
said input member being continuously connected with a member of said first gear set, and said output member being continuously connected with a member of said second gear set;
an interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set;
a brake selectively connecting a member of said first or second gear set with a stationary member for enabling series hybrid reverse operation in the electrically variable transmission;
said first, second and third motor/generators being continuously connected with members of said gear sets;
wherein said first, second and third motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to provide said electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios between said input member and said output member.
9. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein said first and second differential gear sets are planetary gear sets.
10. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein carriers of each of said planetary gear sets are single-pinion carriers.
11. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein at least one carrier of said planetary gear sets is a double-pinion carrier.
12. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , wherein at least one of said motor/generators is connected with said gear sets through at least one fixed or variable speed ratio device.
13. The electrically variable transmission of claim 8 , further comprising:
a second brake selectively connecting a member of said second gear set with said stationary member.
14. The electrically variable transmission of claim 13 , further comprising:
a third brake selectively connecting a member of said first or second gear sets with said stationary member.