Hybrid powertrain system and transformer module

• US 7,335,123 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Morscheck, Timothy J., Beaty, Kevin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PANG, ROGER L
• Application Number:
  US10/987,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 475/5, 475/311, 475/323, 475/330, 475/343, 475/903, 475/72, 475/83, 477/3
• US Class Current: 475/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/12 by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
• 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: B60L 15/2054 by controlling transmissions or clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/507 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/088 Power split variators with summing differentials, with the input of the CVT connected or connectable to the input shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/724 using external powered electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A powertrain system is provided that includes a first prime mover, a second prime mover and a transformer module. In an embodiment, the transformer module includes a planetary gearset having a first rotary element connected to the first prime mover, a second rotary element connected to the second prime mover, and a third rotary element comprising an output member of the transformer module. The powertrain system also includes a power shunt between the first prime mover and the second prime mover.

Claims

1. A powertrain system, comprising:

a first prime mover;

a second prime mover;

a transformer module that includes a planetary gearset having a first rotary element connected to the first prime mover, a second rotary element connected to the second prime mover, and a third rotary element comprising an output member of the transformer module;

at least one gear meshed with the second rotary element, the second prime mover connected to the second rotary element through the gear;

a clutch for selectively inhibiting rotation of the second rotary element; and

a power shunt between the first prime mover and the second prime mover, wherein the power that is transmitted through the power shunt between the first prime mover to the second prime mover is not transmitted through planet gear teeth of the planetary gearset while transmitted through the shunt, and wherein the first rotary element is a ring gear of the planetary gearset.

2. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the power shunt includes a power generating device driven by the first prime mover and configured to provide power to the second prime mover during operation of the first prime mover.

3. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 2, wherein the power generating device is connected to the first rotary element and driven by the first prime mover through the first rotary element.

4. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 2, wherein the power generating device is an electrical generator and the second prime mover is an electric motor.

5. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 2, wherein the power generating device is a hydraulic pump and the second prime mover is a hydraulic motor.

6. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the second rotary element is a sun gear and the third rotary element is a carrier that includes a number of pinion gears meshed with the ring gear and the sun gear.

7. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 1, further including a control unit configured to operate the second prime mover to continuously vary the rotational speed of the output member.

8. The vehicle powertrain system of claim 1, wherein the first prime mover is an internal combustion engine and the second prime mover is one of an electric motor-generator and a hydraulic motor-pump.

9. A transformer module for a dual prime mover powertrain system, comprising,

a planetary gearset having a first rotary element configured for connection to a first prime mover, a second rotary element configured for connection to a second prime mover, and a third rotary element comprising an output member of the transformer module;

at least one gear meshed with the second rotary element, the second prime mover connected to the second rotary element through the gear;

a clutch for selectively inhibiting rotation of the second rotary element; and

a power shunt between the first prime mover and the second prime mover, wherein the power that is transmitted through the power shunt between the first prime mover to the second prime mover is not transmitted through planet gear teeth of the planetary gearset while transmitted through the shunt, and wherein the first rotary element is a ring gear of the planetary gearset.

10. The transformer module of claim 9, wherein the power shunt includes a power generating device driven by the first prime mover and configured to provide power to the second prime mover during operation of the first prime mover.

11. The transformer module of claim 10, wherein the power generating device is connected to the first rotary element and driven by the first prime mover through the first rotary element.

12. The transformer module of claim 10, wherein the power generating device is an electrical generator.

13. The transformer module of claim 10, wherein the power generating device is a hydraulic pump.

14. The transformer module of claim 9, wherein the second rotary element is a sun gear and the third rotary element is a carrier that includes a number of pinion gears meshed with the ring gear and the sun gear.