Apparatus and Method for Delivering Power in a Hybrid Vehicle

• US 20150008057A1
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Inventors: Lo, Jonathan Mong Ling, Gromadzki, Jacek, Bouchon, Nicolas Louis, Strange, Martin Alexander, Woo, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 9,561,719 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/28 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/344 having a transfer gear
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4808 Electric machine connected or connectable to gearbox output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/4833 Step up or reduction gearing driving generator, e.g. to operate generator in most efficient speed range
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/383 One-way clutches or freewheel devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/387 Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1888 Control of power take off [PTO]
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/1888 Control of power take off [PTO]
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/192 Power-up or power-down of the driveline, e.g. start up of a cold engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/423 Control of power take-off clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/73 Planetary gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/795 Power take off
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 : Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/915 : Specific drive or transmission adapted for hev

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain including an engine and having a power take-off, the apparatus comprising:

an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the powertrain further includes a transmission and wherein the power take-off couples the starting torque to one of the engine and the transmission.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the powertrain further includes a transmission and wherein:

the transmission comprises a torque converter having an input coupled to receive torque generated by the engine from an engine output shaft; and

the power take-off is coupled to transmit the starting torque to the engine output shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the powertrain further includes a transmission and wherein:

the transmission comprises a torque converter having an input coupled to receive torque generated by the engine from an engine output shaft, the torque converter being operable to transmit the torque by fluid coupling to an output;

the power take-off is coupled to transmit the starting torque to the output of the torque converter; and

the torque converter further comprises a lock-up clutch for mechanically coupling the input of the torque converter to the output of the torque converter for transmitting the starting torque through the torque converter to the engine.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the lock-up clutch is actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure provided by a fluid pump operated using engine power and further comprising one of:

a hydraulic accumulator operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the lock-up clutch prior to starting the engine; and

an electrically powered hydraulic pump operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the lock-up clutch prior to starting the engine.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power take-off comprises a power take-off clutch operable when engaged to transmit the engine starting torque through the power take-off to the engine.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the power take-off clutch is actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure provided by a fluid pump, and further comprising one of:

a hydraulic accumulator operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the power take-off clutch prior to starting the engine; and

an electrically powered hydraulic pump operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the power take-off clutch prior to starting the engine.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the power take-off clutch comprises one of:

an electrically actuated clutch; and

a mechanically actuated clutch wherein power for actuation of the clutch is provided from a power source other than the engine.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a planetary gear system operable to receive torque generated by the motor and being selectively configurable to transmit the starting torque through the power take-off coupling to the engine.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

a clutch disposed to selectively transmit torque between the engine and a driveline of the vehicle, the clutch being operable to transmit an engine drive torque to the driveline when engaged and operable to disengage the engine from the driveline while the engine is being started.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the clutch comprises an overrunning clutch operable to disengage the driveline from the engine when a rotational speed of the driveline is greater than a rotational speed of the engine.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the powertrain further includes a transmission comprising a planetary gear set and wherein the overrunning clutch comprises an overrunning clutch disposed within the transmission and coupled between the planetary gear set and the driveline.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear coupled between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planet carrier coupled to the planet gear and wherein:

the motor is coupled to the sun gear, one of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to the power take-off coupling of the engine, and the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to the driveline; and

the planetary gear system is configurable to transmit the starting torque to the engine by configuring the planetary gear system to transmit the engine starting torque to the engine through one of the ring gear and the planet carrier while prohibiting rotation of the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a brake operable to be actuated to prohibit rotation of the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the clutch comprises a three-way clutch having a disengaged state, an engaged state for transmitting torque between the engine and the driveline, and a braked state in which a brake is actuated to prohibit rotation of the driveline.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the powertrain further includes a transmission having a transmission lock-up operable to prohibit rotation of an output shaft of the transmission and wherein the transmission lock-up is operably configured to be engaged to prohibit rotation of the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the ring gear is coupled to the power take-off coupling of the engine and the planet carrier is coupled to the driveline and further comprising a ring gear brake operable to prohibit rotation of the ring gear.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the planetary gear system is selectively configurable to receive torque from the driveline and to transmit a generating torque through the planetary gear system to the motor to facilitate generation of electrical power by the motor when the motor is configured to act as a generator.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the generating torque comprises at least one of:

a torque generated by the engine; and

a regenerative torque coupled through wheels of the vehicle to the driveline.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear coupled between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planet carrier coupled to the planet gear, and wherein:

the motor is coupled to the sun gear, and one of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to the driveline; and

the planetary gear system is configurable to transmit the generating torque by prohibiting rotation of the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier to cause the generating torque to be transmitted from the driveline through the sun gear to the motor.

21. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the planetary gear system is selectively configurable to transmit a portion of the torque generated by the motor to the driveline as a motor drive torque.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the planetary gear system is selectively configurable to transmit the motor drive torque to the driveline while simultaneously transmitting the starting torque through the power take-off coupling to the engine for starting the engine.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear coupled between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planet carrier coupled to the planet gear, and wherein:

the motor is coupled to the sun gear, one of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to the power take-off coupling of the engine, and the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to the driveline; and

the planetary gear system is configurable to permit rotation of both the ring gear and the planet carrier for simultaneously transmitting the starting torque through the power take-off coupling to the engine and the motor drive torque to the driveline.

24. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an auxiliary power output for delivering power for operating auxiliary equipment and wherein the planetary gear system is selectively configurable to receive torque generated by the motor and transmit the torque to the auxiliary power output.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear coupled between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planet carrier coupled to the planet gear, and wherein:

the motor is coupled to the sun gear, and one of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to the auxiliary power output; and

the planetary gear system is selectively configurable to transmit the torque received from the motor to the auxiliary power output by configuring the planetary gear system to transmit torque through the one of the ring gear and the planet carrier coupled to the auxiliary power output while prohibiting rotation of the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier.

26. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an auxiliary power output for delivering power for operating auxiliary equipment, and wherein the power take-off coupling of the engine is operable to be selectively coupled to transmit torque to the auxiliary power output once the engine has started.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the planetary gear system is configurable to receive torque generated by the engine from the power take-off coupling of the engine and to transmit at least a portion of the torque through the planetary gear system to the motor for generating electrical power when the motor is configured to operate as a generator.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear coupled between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planet carrier coupled to the planet gear, and wherein:

the motor is coupled to the sun gear, and one of the ring gear and the planet carrier is coupled to receive the torque generated by the engine from the power take-off coupling of the engine; and

the planetary gear system is selectively configurable to transmit the torque from the one of the ring gear and the planet carrier through the sun gear to the motor by prohibiting rotation of the other of the ring gear and the planet carrier.

29. A method for delivering power in a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain including an engine and having a power take-off, the method comprising:

causing an electric motor to generate a torque; and

coupling at least a portion of the torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the powertrain further includes a transmission and wherein said coupling comprises coupling the portion of the torque to one of the engine and the transmission.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein coupling the portion of the torque through the power take-off comprises engaging a power take-off clutch operable to transmit the portion of the torque through the power take-off to the engine.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the power take-off clutch is actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure provided by a fluid pump, and further comprising one of:

accumulating hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the power take-off clutch prior to starting the engine; and

actuating an electrically powered hydraulic pump operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the power take-off clutch prior to starting the engine.

33. The method of claim 29 further comprising receiving a torque from a driveline of the vehicle and transmitting a generating torque to the motor to facilitate generation of electrical power by the motor when the motor is configured to act as a generator.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein transmitting the generating torque comprises transmitting at least one of:

a torque generated by the engine; and

a regenerative torque coupled through wheels of the vehicle to the driveline.

35. The method of claim 29 further comprising receiving torque generated by the motor and transmitting the torque to an auxiliary power output for delivering power for operating auxiliary equipment.

36. An apparatus for delivering power in a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a driveline and a powertrain, the powertrain including an engine and having a power take-off, the apparatus comprising:

an electric motor;

a gearbox selectively configurable to;

couple a starting torque generated by the motor through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine; and

transmit a drive torque generated by the motor to the driveline for driving the vehicle.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the gearbox is further selectively configurable to receive a torque from the driveline and to transmit a generating torque to the motor to facilitate generation of electrical power by the motor when the motor is configured to act as a generator.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the gearbox is further selectively configurable to receive torque generated by the motor and to transmit the torque to an auxiliary power output for delivering power for operating auxiliary equipment.

39. A hybrid vehicle apparatus comprising:

a powertrain including an engine and having a power take-off, the powertrain being operable to generate a torque at an output shaft of the powertrain;

a driveline having a driveline shaft operable to transmit drive power to wheels of the vehicle;

at least one clutch for coupling torque between the output of the powertrain and the driveline shaft; and

an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being operable to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the powertrain comprises a transmission coupled between the engine and the output shaft of the powertrain and wherein the power take-off is coupled to transmit the starting torque to the engine through the transmission.

41. An apparatus for coupling an engine starting torque to a power-take off of a vehicle powertrain, the power take off having a power take-off clutch selectively operable to couple power through the power take off, the apparatus comprising:

an electric motor operable to generate a starting torque; and

an actuator operable to cause the power take-off clutch to be engaged to transmit the starting torque through the power take-off to an engine.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the clutch is actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure and further comprising one of:

a hydraulic accumulator operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the clutch prior to starting the engine; and

an electrically powered hydraulic pump operably configured to provide hydraulic fluid pressure for actuating the clutch prior to starting the engine.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the electric motor is further operable to transmit a portion of the torque generated by the motor to a driveline as a motor drive torque.