×

Accessory drive system and method for a parallel electric hybrid vehicle

  • US 7,748,483 B2
  • Filed: 03/10/2006
  • Issued: 07/06/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An accessory drive system for a hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

  • an engine including a plurality of intake valves, a plurality of exhaust valves, and a crankshaft;

    a motor/generator independently connectable to a transmission;

    a selectively engageable torque transmitting device disposed between the engine and the transmission, wherein said torque transmitting device is disengageable to de-couple the engine and the motor/generator from the transmission;

    a drive pulley connected to the engine;

    a driven pulley connected to an accessory;

    a drive belt operatively connecting said drive pulley and said driven pulley and operable to transfer drive forces between said drive pulley and said driven pulley;

    a controller operatively connected to the torque-transmitting device, the engine and the motor/generator, said controller configured to control the torque-transmitting device, the engine and the motor/generator to ensure that the accessory is sufficiently powered to remain fully operational by the engine when the engine is running or by said motor/generator when the engine is not running; and

    wherein the controller is configurable to manipulate the intake valves and the exhaust valves when the accessory is being driven by power from the motor/generator through the engine crankshaft, in order to reduce crankshaft rotational resistance and engine pumping losses, and thereby improve the efficiency of the accessory drive system.

View all claims
  • 12 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×