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Hybrid vehicle powertrain and control therefor

  • US 6,176,808 B1
  • Filed: 07/15/1999
  • Issued: 01/23/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A hybrid vehicle powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine, a multiple-ratio power transmission mechanism, and an electric motor;

  • the transmission mechanism having multiple-ratio gearing and clutch and brake means for establishing and disestablishing multiple torque flow paths through the gearing;

    the clutch and brake means including a controllable, pressure-actuated friction clutch in a torque flow path between the engine and torque input elements of the gearing;

    a torque input shaft of the transmission mechanism being connected to the engine through the friction clutch;

    the electric motor being drivably connected to the torque input shaft in parallel disposition with respect to the engine whereby each is capable of delivering driving torque to the torque input shaft;

    the motor thereby forming a source of driving torque that complements driving torque of the engine when the engine is activated and forming a sole source of driving torque when the engine is deactivated;

    means for controlling electronic engagement of the friction clutch during engine idle comprising means for detecting engine torque and determining a torque signal indicative of an idle torque offset from the engine torque; and

    means for combining engine torque during idle with electric motor torque and for maintaining a regulated clutch actuating pressure responsive to the torque signal whereby engine idle torque variations are modified during engine idle by electric motor torque to effect electronic damping of engine torque during engine idle.

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