System and method for providing parallel power in a hybrid-electric vehicle

• US 6,644,427 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
• Original Assignee: ISE Research Corporation
• Inventors: Schulte, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLEBE, GERALD B
• Application Number:
  US09/827,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 310/268, 310/156.32, 310/156.33, 310/156.34, 310/156.35, 310/156.36, 310/156.37, 310/154.05, 310/154.06
• US Class Current: 180/65.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/14 Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/951 Assembly or relative location of components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A system and method for providing parallel power in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The system includes a compact motor coupled to the input shaft of the vehicle'"'"'s transmission. Advantageously, the compact motor and the engine use the same drivetrain. Both the compact motor and the engine are able to apply power to the portion of the drivetrain from the transmission to the wheels. Since the motor is compact and does not require a separate drivetrain, the parallel power system can be installed in an otherwise conventional vehicle without packaging difficulties.

Claims

1. A method of converting heavy duty internal-combustion engine vehicle into a heavy duty parallel hybrid-electric vehicle, the heavy duty internal-combustion engine vehicle having a GVW of at least 10,000 lbs. and including an internal combustion engine and a transmission, the method comprising the steps of:

removing the transmission from the heavy duty internal-combustion engine vehicle;

installing a compact, pan-type electric motor into the vehicle;

coupling the compact, pan-type electric motor to the internal-combustion engine;

installing the transmission into the vehicle so that the compact, pan-type electric motor is between the internal combustion engine and the transmission; and

coupling the compact, pan-type motor to the transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a member from the group consisting of tractor, a tow tractor, a tug, a pull tractor, a push-back tractor, a truck, a class 6 truck, a class 7 truck, a class 8 truck, a dump truck, a semi truck, a bobtail truck, a school bus, a transit bus, a shuttle van, a refuse-collection vehicle, a recycling-collection vehicle, and a tram vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the compact, pan-type electric motor includes a first axial length, the internal-combustion engine vehicle further includes a bellhousing, a first driveshaft, and the transmission includes a first input shaft, the method further comprising the steps of:

removing the first driveshaft from the vehicle;

removing the first input shaft from the transmission;

providing a second input shaft, the second input shaft being longer than the first input shaft by an amount corresponding to the first axial length;

installing the second input shaft into the transmission;

installing a compact, pan-type electric motor includes installing a compact, pan-type electric motor with a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is adapted to be mated to the transmission, and the second side is adapted to be mated to the bellhousing, the compact, pan-type electric motor further adapted to provide torque to the second input shaft;

mating the compact, pan-type electric motor to the bellhousing;

providing a second driveshaft, the second driveshaft being shorter than the first driveshaft by an amount corresponding to the first axial length;

installing the second driveshaft into the vehicle.