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Hybrid vehicle having torsional coupling between engine assembly and motor-generator

  • US 8,028,778 B2
  • Filed: 12/22/2008
  • Issued: 10/04/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A hybrid vehicle having a shock-reducing clutch coupling, comprising:

  • a battery system for receiving, storing and providing electrical power;

    an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational power to a flywheel;

    a first motor/generator having a hollow rotor shaft rotatably operatively coupled to the flywheel by a torsional coupling, the hollow rotor shaft causing the first motor/generator to rotate in unison with the engine and being non-disengagable from the engine;

    the torsional coupling configured to operatively couple the flywheel to the first motor-generator, and to reduce shock and/or vibration transmitted between the engine and the first motor-generator;

    the first motor/generator configured to;

    in a first mode, receive electrical power from the battery system and provide rotational force to the hollow rotor shaft to rotate and start the internal combustion engine;

    in a second mode, receive rotational force through the hollow rotor shaft from the internal combustion engine to generate electrical power to charge the battery system;

    in a third mode, receive electrical power from the battery system and provide rotational force to the hollow rotor shaft;

    a gear transmission having a first port configured to receive or provide rotational power in a first rotational (RPM) range, and a second port configured to provide or receive rotational power in a second RPM range to/from at least one wheel of the vehicle;

    a second motor/generator operatively coupled to the first port and configured provide rotational force to the first port when receiving electrical power from the battery system, and configured to generate electrical power to charge the battery system when receiving rotation force from the first port when the at least one wheel provides rotational force to the second port;

    a clutch configured to selectively engage and disengage the engine rotating in unison with the first motor-generator, from the second motor-generator;

    a clutch cover fixedly coupled to the flywheel and configured to rotate with the flywheel;

    wherein the torsional coupling is operatively coupled to the clutch cover and to the hollow rotor shaft, and configured rotate with the flywheel and rotatably couple the flywheel with the first motor/generator; and

    a control system configured to control the electrical power provided to and from the battery system.

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