Electro-mechanical powertrain with a fuel cell transmission

• US 6,827,165 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHRIVER II, JAMES A
• Application Number:
  US10/364,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20040154845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 475/5, 477/2, 477/3
• US Class Current: 180/65.235
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/32 characterised by the fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/102 the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/104 Power split variators with one end of the CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/106 with switching means to provide two variator modes or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/201 with three sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2064 using at least one positive clutch, e.g. dog clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/908 Fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/945 Characterized by control of gearing, e.g. control of transmission ratio
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 : Characterized by control of driveline clutch

Abstract

An electro-mechanical powertrain includes a pair of motor/generator units that are interconnected with a transmission output shaft through planetary gear mechanisms. One of the motor/generator units continuously supplies power to a power takeoff unit, which operates accessory devices and supplies power to a transmission output shaft. The second motor/generator unit continuously transmits power to a transmission output shaft except during a ratio interchange. A selectively engageable clutch is operable to connect the first motor/generator unit with the transmission output shaft during the ratio interchange when the second motor/generator unit is disconnected therefrom. Both of the motor/generator units are supplied with power by a fuel cell prime mover through an electronic control unit.

Claims

1. An electro-mechanical powertrain including a transmission comprising:

a fuel cell power source;

battery means;

an electronic control unit connected between said fuel cell power source and said battery means;

a transmission output shaft;

a first electric power transfer machine electrically connected with both said fuel cell power source and said battery means through said electronic control unit;

a second electric power transfer machine electrically connected with both said fuel cell power source and said battery means through said electronic control unit;

a power takeoff means for supplying power to operate accessories of said powertrain;

a first planetary gearset having at least a first member continuously connected with said first electric power transfer machine, a second member continuously connected with said power takeoff means, and a third member continuously connected with said output shaft;

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

a first torque-transmitting mechanism for selectively connecting said third member of said second planetary gearset with a stationary member of the transmission;

a second torque-transmitting mechanism for selectively connecting said third member of said second planetary gearset with said second electric power transfer machine; and

a third torque-transmitting mechanism for selectively connecting said first electric power transfer machine with said output shaft to power said output shaft and said power takeoff means when said powertrain is changed from a first range to a second range of operation and said second electric power transfer machine is not transmitting power to said output shaft.

2. An electromechanical powertrain including a transmission comprising:

a fuel cell power source;

a battery assembly;

an electronic control unit connected between said fuel cell power source and said battery assembly for controlling power transmission therefrom;

a transmission output shaft;

a power takeoff unit for directing power to a plurality of accessories;

a first electric power transfer machine;

a second electric power transfer machine;

first planetary gear means for transmitting power continuously from said first electric power transfer machine to said power takeoff unit;

a first selectively operable torque-transmitting mechanism having a first engaged position, a second engaged position, and a nonengaged position;

second planetary gear means continuously connected with said second electric power transfer machine and said first selectively operable torque-transmitting mechanism for transmitting power to said output shaft at a first ratio when said first engaged position is selected, at a second ratio when said second engaged position is selected, and disconnect said electric power transfer machine from said output shaft; and

a second selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanism being selectively engageable between said first electric power transfer machine and said output shaft to transmit power therebetween when said first torque-transmitting mechanism is in said nonengaged position.