초록 ▼

A parallel-hybrid transmission has one or more electrical motor/generator units, at least one of which moves in an anti-engine-wise direction in certain operational modes. The motor/generators are coaxially or concentrically arranged with the transmission input and output shafts via planetary gear s

A parallel-hybrid transmission has one or more electrical motor/generator units, at least one of which moves in an anti-engine-wise direction in certain operational modes. The motor/generators are coaxially or concentrically arranged with the transmission input and output shafts via planetary gear sets. Associated clutch closures selectively couple power to and from the sun gears and planetary carriers of the gear sets through a complex planetary gear configuration such as a Ravigneaux gear set, for switching between certain operational modes. The clutch and brake operations selectively achieve multiple ratio range operations including engine starting under electric power, high torque acceleration from a standstill, regenerative deceleration (braking), multiple ratio range operation, load sharing, rotation-matched step-less shifting and combined or individual continuously variable combustion engine and electric motor and/or generation modes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A power transmission apparatus comprising:an input rotational coupling to which power can be applied from a prime mover and an output rotational coupling by which power can be applied to a load; at least two electric machines, one of the electric machines connectable to one of the input rotationa

1. A power transmission apparatus comprising:an input rotational coupling to which power can be applied from a prime mover and an output rotational coupling by which power can be applied to a load; at least two electric machines, one of the electric machines connectable to one of the input rotational coupling and the output rotational coupling by independently controllable clutch devices, each of the electric machines being independently operable as a motor and as a generator; an electric energy storage device coupled to the electric machines through a controller and operable to store and release electric energy; first and second planetary gear sets respectively coupled to the electric machines; a third planetary gear set having at least two sun gears, coupled to the output rotational coupling; wherein the controller is coupled to operate the clutch devices and the electric machines in coordination so to obtain a plurality of operational ranges, the ranges differing by routing different subsets of input mechanical and electric power from the prime mover and the energy storage device into charging of the energy storage device and application of power to the output rotational coupling, and one of the two sun gears of the third planetary gear set is coupleable a respective one of the independently controllable clutch devices to a planetary gear carrier of the first and second planetary gear sets. 2. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input rotational coupling has a normal engine-wise rotational direction for advancing in a given direction, and wherein at least one of said electric machines is movable in the engine-wise direction and in an anti-engine-wise direction during different operational conditions of the apparatus.3. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric machines comprise first and second motor/generators.4. The power transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third planetary gear set comprises one of a Ravigneaux gear set, a simple-compound gear set configuration, and a plural stage gear set.5. The power transmission apparatus of claim 4, wherein the independently controllable clutch devices selectively connect the first planetary gear set to at least one of the input rotational coupling, one of the sun gears of the third planetary gear arrangement and a planetary carrier of said third planetary gear arrangement.6. The power transmission apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one controllable brake operable to fix an element of the third planetary gear set in at least one operational mode of the transmission.7. The power transmission apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is operable for selectively operating the clutch devices and the brake in a plurality of operational modes including:coupling one of the motor/generators to the input coupling during operation of the prime mover, and operating one of the motor/generators as a generator for at least one of charging the energy storage device and providing electric power to an other of the motor/generators; coupling at least one of the motor/generators as a motor to the output coupling for operation as a motor adding output power in addition to power from the prime mover under electric power from at least one of the energy storage device and an output of an other of the motor/generators; coupling power from the prime mover to the output coupling exclusive of the motor/generators; and coupling the output coupling to at least one of the motor/generators for operation as a generator during regenerative braking. 8. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operational modes further comprise at least one of:coupling one of the motor/generators to the input coupling during forward operation as a motor powered from the energy storage device, for starting the prime mover; coupling one or both of the motor/generators to the output coupling exclusive of the input shaft, for high torque/low speed operation as a motor powered from the energy storage device; coupling the motor/generators for operation in opposite rotational directions; coupling at least one of the motor/generators to the output coupling for operation in reverse. 9. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is arranged to shift from one of said operational modes to another in effecting at least one shift for changing at least one of a torque/speed ratio and a charging/discharging condition among the motor/generators and the energy storage device.10. The power transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is arranged to effect said shift during one of no-load and synchronous operation of elements of the clutch devices.11. A vehicle comprising:an engine; and a hybrid transmission coupled to the engine, the hybrid transmission comprising: an input rotational coupling to which power can be applied from the engine and an output rotational coupling by which power can be applied to a load; at least two electric machines, one of the electric machines connectable to one of the input rotational coupling and the output rotational coupling by independently controllable clutch devices, each of the electric machines being independently operable as a motor and as a generator; an electric energy storage device coupled to the electric machines through a controller and operable to store and release electric energy; first and second planetary gear sets respectively coupled to the electric machines; a third planetary gear set having at least two sun gears, coupled to the output rotational coupling; wherein the controller is coupled to operate the clutch devices and the electric machines in coordination so to obtain a plurality of operational ranges, the ranges differing by routing different subsets of input mechanical and electric power from the engine and the energy storage device into charging of the energy storage device and application of power to the output rotational coupling, and one of the two sun-gears of the third planetary gear set is coupleable by a respective one of the independently controllable clutch devices to a planetary gear carrier of the first and second planetary gear sets. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the transmission has an engine-wise direction corresponding to operation of the engine and wherein at least one of the electric machines is movable in an anti-engine-wise direction during the operational ranges of the transmission.13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the third planetary gear set comprises one of a of a Ravigneaux gear set with plural sun gears and a simple-compound gear set configuration.14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the engine, the input rotational coupling, the output rotational coupling, the electric machines and the first and second planetary gear sets are coaxially aligned.