IP Library Granted Patent US 7,967,711
Granted Patent B2
US 7,967,711 · App. 11/940,533 · Granted Jun 28, 2011

Highly configurable hybrid powertrain and control system therefor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,967,711
App. No.
11/940,533
Granted
Jun 28, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an engine and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission input member, first and second electric machines, first and second planetary gear sets, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transfer devices enabling configuring the powertrain in variously to operate in electric drive, electrically variable, fixed gear and neutral charging operating states.

Claims (30)

1. A powertrain system for a vehicle, comprising:

an engine; and

a transmission including

a transmission input member coupled to the engine,

first and second electric machines,

first and second planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set including respective first, second and third gear members,

a transmission case,

a first selectively engageable torque transfer device between said first gear member of said second planetary gear set and said transmission case,

a second selectively engageable torque transfer device between said first gear member of said second planetary gear set and said first electric machine,

a third selectively engageable torque transfer device operable when engaged to connect said second electric motor and said transmission input member,

a transmission output member connected to said second gear member of said second planetary gear set, and

said second electric machine connected to said third gear member of said second planetary gear set; and

a control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

a first electric vehicle operating state comprising said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and said second electric machine providing torque,

a second electric vehicle operating state comprising said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and said first and second electric machines providing torque,

a first electrically variable transmission operating state comprising said first selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged,

a second electrically variable transmission operating state comprising said second selectively engageable torque transfer device engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and

a charging operating state comprising said first, second, and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged.

2. The powertrain system of claim 1 , wherein the control system for establishing powertrain operating states establishes said powertrain operating states to effect powertrain operating strategies comprising a charge depletion strategy, a charge sustaining strategy, and an electric vehicle range maximization strategy.

3. The powertrain system of claim 2 , wherein the charge depletion strategy is effected by one of the electric vehicle operating state and the electrically variable transmission operating state.

4. The powertrain system of claim 2 , wherein the charge sustaining strategy is effected by one of the electric vehicle operating state and the electrically variable transmission operating state.

5. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said transmission input member connects to said first gear member of said second planetary gear set; and

said second gear member of said second planetary gear set connects to said first electric machine.

6. The powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5 , wherein:

said transmission includes a fourth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said second electric machine and said transmission case.

7. A powertrain system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:

said transmission including a fourth selectively engageable torque transfer device between said second electric machine and said transmission case; and

the control system for establishing powertrain operating states including

a fixed gear operating state comprising one of a) said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said second and third torque transfer devices disengaged, b) said first and second selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said third and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, c) said second and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged, and d) said second and third selectively engageable torque transfer devices engaged, and said first and fourth selectively engageable torque transfer devices disengaged.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0587 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0035 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0780 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0187 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0215 →
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 023155/0880 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0670 →
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 022554/0479 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2008
From: CONLON, BRENDAN M.; HOLMES, ALAN G.; TATE, EDWARD D., JR.; RASK, ERIC M.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020342/0584 →