Vehicle transmission with a fuel cell power source and a multi-range transmission

• US 6,662,890 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Michael Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Campbell, Kelly E
• Application Number:
  US10/085,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20030159865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.3, 180/65.2, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 180/65.4, 475/2, 475/5
• US Class Current: 429/495
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/04 characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of gearing electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/28 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2054 by controlling transmissions or clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0873 with switching, e.g. to change ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0494 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04947 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A vehicle powertrain includes a fuel cell power source, an electronic control unit, and an electrical energy storage and retrieval assembly, which are interconnected to communicate electrical power. The powertrain also includes a multi-range electro-mechanical transmission, which supplies driving power to the transmission output shaft and from there to the vehicle drive wheels and also supplies power to a power take-off drive unit, such that cooling airflow and hydraulic power is supplied to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A powertrain comprising:

a fuel cell power source;

an electrical power storage and delivery means;

an electronic control unit controlling power from said fuel cell power source to and from said electrical power storage and delivery means;

a transmission output shaft;

a power take-off output shaft;

a first electric power transfer machine communicating with said electronic control unit to receive electrical energy from and deliver electrical energy to said electronic control unit;

a second electric power transfer machine communicating with said electronic control unit to receive electrical energy from and deliver electrical energy to said electronic control unit;

a first planetary gearset including a first member connected with said first electric power transfer machine, a second member continuously connected with said power take-off output shaft, and a third member continuously connected with said transmission output shaft;

a second planetary gearset including a first member continuously connected with said second electric power transfer machine, a second member continuously connected with said transmission output shaft, and a third member;

a first selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanism connectible with said third member of said second planetary gearset to retard rotation thereof during both a reverse range of operation and a first forward range of operation; and

a second selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanism operatively interconnecting said third member of said second planetary gearset and said transmission output shaft during a second forward range of operation.

2. A powertrain comprising:

a fuel cell power source;

a battery assembly;

an electronic control unit controlling power from said fuel cell power source and to and from said battery assembly;

a transmission output shaft;

a power take-off output shaft;

a first electric motor/generator communicating with said electronic control unit to receive electrical energy from and deliver electrical energy to said electronic control unit;

a second electric motor/generator communicating with said electronic control unit to receive electrical energy from and deliver electrical energy to said electronic control unit;

a first planetary gearset including a planet carrier assembly member having a planet carrier member connected with said first electric motor/generator, a ring gear member continuously connected with said power take-off output shaft, and a sun gear member continuously connected with said transmission output shaft;

a second planetary gearset including a sun gear member continuously connected with said second electric motor/generator, a planet carrier assembly member having a planet carrier member continuously connected with said transmission output shaft, and a ring gear member;

a selectively engageable fluid-operated brake mechanism connectible with said ring gear member of said second planetary gearset to retard rotation thereof during both a reverse range of operation and a first forward range of operation; and

a selectively engageable fluid-operated clutch mechanism operatively connectible between said ring gear member of said second planetary gearset and said transmission output shaft during a second forward range of operation.

3. The powertrain defined in claim 2 further wherein:

said power take-off output shaft is continuously drivingly connected with a cooling fan assembly to provide cooling flow to said fuel cell power source.