Systems and methods for providing power in a hybrid-electric vehicle

• US 6,648,086 B1
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• 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:
  US10/236,206
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.5, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 180/65.8, 294/011, 294/020.1, 294/69, 475/5, 743/35, 192/84.6, 192/94, 192/111.A, 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

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 converted, heavy duty parallel hybrid-electric vehicle system of a converted, heavy duty parallel hybrid-electric vehicle having a GVW of at least 10,000 lbs., comprising:

a modified transmission including a modified input shaft;

an internal combustion engine coupled with the modified transmission, the internal combustion engine configured to drive the modified transmission;

a compact, pan-type electric motor having a relatively short axial length, the Compact, pan-type electric motor coupled with the modified transmission and located between the internal combustion engine and the modified transmission, the compact, pan-type electric motor configured to drive the modified transmission;

a coupling configured to couple the internal combustion engine with the modified transmission, the coupling configured to either fully engage or fully disengage the internal combustion engine with the modified transmission,

wherein the modified input shaft includes an increased length to accommodate the axial length of the compact, pan-type electric motor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is located between the coupling and the transmission.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling is conventional clutch found in a conventional vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission is conventional transmission found in a conventional vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is configured to drive the transmission at low vehicle speeds.

6. The system of claim 1, farther comprising:

an energy storage system configured to store energy;

the electric motor coupled with the energy storage system, the electric motor configured to drive the transmission using energy stored in the energy storage system and to act as a generator to charge the energy storage system when required.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the internal combustion engine is further configured to spin the electric motor when required so that the electric motor can generate electricity to charge the energy storage system.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the electric motor is further configured to generate electricity to charge the energy storage system during regenerative braking.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a motor controller configured to control the operation of the electric motor, wherein the electric motor is coupled with the energy storage system through the motor controller.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an energy management system coupled with the energy storage system, the energy storage system configured to monitor the energy available in the energy storage system; and

a vehicle dynamics controller coupled with the energy management system, the motor controller, and the internal combustion engine, the vehicle dynamics controller configured to receive an indication of the amount of energy available in the energy storage system from the energy management system and to control power distribution between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine based on the received indication.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of vehicle systems coupled with the vehicle dynamics controller, the vehicle dynamics controller further configured to receive inputs from the plurality of vehicle systems and to control power distribution between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine based on the received inputs.

12. A converted, heavy duty parallel hybrid-electric vehicle system of a converted, heavy duty parallel hybrid-electric vehicle having a GVW of at least 10,000 lbs., comprising:

a modified transmission including a modified input shaft;

an internal combustion engine coupled with the modified transmission, the internal combustion engine configured to drive the modified transmission;

a compact, pan-type electric motor having a relatively short axial length, the compact, pan-type electric motor coupled with the modified transmission and located between the internal combustion engine and the modified transmission, the compact, pan-type electric motor configured to drive the modified transmission;

a positive mechanical link configured to couple the internal combustion engine with the modified transmission,

wherein the modified input shaft includes an increased length to accommodate the axial length of the compact, pan-type electric motor.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the electric motor is configured to drive the transmission at low vehicle speeds without injecting fuel into the internal combustion engine.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein fuel is injected into the internal combustion engine once the engine rotational speed reaches 1000 rpm.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmission is a conventional transmission found in a conventional vehicle.