HYBRID TRANSMISSION USING PLANETARY GEARSET FOR MULTIPLE SOURCES OF TORQUE FOR MARINE, OR TWO WHEELED LAND VEHICLES

• US 20110281679A1
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Inventors: Petersen, Eric, Hillery, Derek, Humbarger, Cody, Larrabee, Daniel, Rhode, Matt, Velazco, Alec, Marshman, Josh, Wormer, Thomas Northrop, Serani, Eric, Koster, Jean Nicolas, Gaide, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/982,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20110281679A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 475/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/026 comprising different types of power plants, e.g. combination of a piston engine and a gas-turbine Hybrid electric aircraft B64D27/33
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/04 of piston type
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 35/08 characterised by the transmission being driven by a plurality of power plants
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/11 using internal combustion piston engines
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/72 with a secondary drive, e.g. regulating motor, in order to vary speed continuously
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

Provided are alternative hybrid transmission systems for marine, or two wheeled land vehicles, as well as propulsion systems and vehicles comprising such transmission systems, to improve various propulsion systems using a combination of at least two power sources with the option for simultaneous or alternating power input from two or more power sources, while providing desired characteristics or components. Such characteristics or components can include, but are not limited to: power, torque, acceleration, cruising speed or power, fuel efficiency, battery charging, endurance, power sizing, weight, capacity, efficiency, speed, mechanically and/or electrically added system requirements, design, fuel selection, functional design, structural design, lift to drag ratio, weight, and/or other desired characteristic or component.

Claims

1. A clutchless hybrid transmission system for marine, or two wheeled land vehicles, comprising

a. at least one planetary gearing system that provides alternating or simultaneous power coupling between at least two sources of power and at least one propulsion drive shaft.

2. A hybrid propulsion system for marine, or two wheeled land vehicles, comprising:

a. at least one clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 1; and

b. at least two sources of power.

3. A hybrid propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein said at least two sources of power comprise one internal combustion engine (ICE) and one electric motor (EM).

4. A marine or 2-wheeled land vehicle, comprising at least one clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 1.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said vehicle is selected from an inboard marine vehicle, an outboard marine vehicle, a two wheeled land vehicle, or any combination thereof.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said propulsion drive shaft drives the propulsion of said vehicle.

7. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said propulsion drive shaft driving the propulsion of said vehicle is via one or more of at least one transmission, at least one differential or gearbox that operates at least one angle between 0 and 180 degrees.

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said propulsion is via at least one propulsion device selected from a marine propeller, a wheel, or a friction or turbulence generating device, wherein said propulsion device is operable connected to said drive shaft.

9. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 1, comprising at least one sun gear, at least two planetary gears, and at least one ring gear.

10. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 9, further comprising at least one carrier or arm operably connected to at least one of said at least one sun gear, at least one of said two planetary gears, and at least one ring gear.

11. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said at least one propulsion drive shaft is connected to one of said at least one sun gear, at least one planetary gear, and at least one ring gear.

12. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 11, wherein said connection is via said at least one carrier or arm.

13. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 8, wherein said propulsion drive shaft is connected to said ring gear via said carrier or arm and said at least two sources of power are connected via dual power drive shafts that are separate or concentric and each drive a different of said planetary gear and said sun gear that drive the propulsion drive shaft of said propulsion system, wherein said sun gear, planetary gear and said ring gear are substantially in the same plane.

14. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 10, wherein the ratio of said at least one planetary gear and said at least one sun gear is between about 0.2 and about 0.8.

15. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 11, wherein the ratio of said at least one planetary gear and said at least one sun gear is about 0.5.

16. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a slipper gear assembly operably attached to the propulsion drive shaft.

17. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one battery or electrical storing system that powers said EM.

18. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 17, wherein said ICE charges said battery or electrical storing system.

19. A clutchless hybrid transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said ICE and EM power said propulsion drive shaft simultaneously as a mechanically additive system.

20. A method for transferring power from at least two power sources to at least one propulsion drive shaft in a marine, or two wheeled land vehicle, comprising

a. providing a hybrid propulsion system comprising at least one clutchless hybrid transmission system comprising a planetary or epicyclic gearing system that provides alternating or simultaneous power coupling between said at least two sources of power and said at least one propulsion drive shaft of said hybrid propulsion system.