HYBRID ELECTRIC CONVERSION KIT FOR REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A parallel hybrid electric vehicle retrofit kit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine connected to a driveshaft by a transmission, the retrofit kit comprising:
- a motor-generator;
a torque coupler, wherein the torque coupler is adapted for connecting the motor-generator to the driveshaft;
a battery;
a power electronics module having a first electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to the battery and a second electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to the motor-generator; and
a controller having a first communication connection adapted to receive signals from the internal combustion engine and a second communication connection adapted to connect to the motor-generator, the controller including a decision circuit adapted to activate the motor-generator to transfer electrical energy to or from the battery into mechanical energy to or from the driveshaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a parallel hybrid electric conversion kit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a driveshaft and a transmission, such as, rear wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy duty multiple-driven-axle vehicles and/or all-wheel drive vehicles. The conversion kit includes a motor-generator, a torque coupler, a battery, a power electronics module and a controller. Suitable torque couplers include transfer cases and/or rear-through differentials. The conversion kit provides an aftermarket solution to increased performance, fuel economy and/or reduced emissions by modifying the drivetrain after the transmission. According to one embodiment of this invention, the control scheme of the installed conversion kit receives input signals from the engine and the motor-generator, but only sends control signals to the motor-generator, facilitating installation of the conversion kit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A parallel hybrid electric vehicle retrofit kit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine connected to a driveshaft by a transmission, the retrofit kit comprising:
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a motor-generator; a torque coupler, wherein the torque coupler is adapted for connecting the motor-generator to the driveshaft; a battery; a power electronics module having a first electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to the battery and a second electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to the motor-generator; and a controller having a first communication connection adapted to receive signals from the internal combustion engine and a second communication connection adapted to connect to the motor-generator, the controller including a decision circuit adapted to activate the motor-generator to transfer electrical energy to or from the battery into mechanical energy to or from the driveshaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A parallel hybrid electric vehicle, the vehicle comprising:
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an internal combustion engine supplying mechanical energy; a driveshaft; a transmission connecting the internal combustion engine to the driveshaft; a torque coupler connected to the driveshaft on a side of the transmission opposite the internal combustion engine; a motor-generator mechanically connected to the torque coupler, the motor-generator for converting one of mechanical energy and electrical energy to one of mechanical energy and electrical energy; a battery electrically connected to the motor-generator; and a controller in communication with the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of retrofitting a vehicle to a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a transmission and a driveshaft; connecting a torque coupler to the driveshaft downstream from the transmission; connecting a motor-generator to the torque coupler; connecting a battery to the motor-generator using a power electronics module; connecting an input signal from the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator to a controller; and connecting an output signal from the controller to the motor-generator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification