Hybrid vehicle drive system and method for fuel reduction during idle
First Claim
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1. A vehicle drive system for a vehicle comprising a first prime mover, the vehicle drive system comprising:
- a transmission;
an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the first prime mover;
a torque converter disposed between the electric motor and an output of the transmission; and
a control system configured to cause a reduction of fuel provided to the first prime mover, wherein the control system is configured to cause the electric motor to rotate the first prime mover at a speed when the vehicle is stopped, thereby reducing fuel consumption for the vehicle, wherein the torque converter reduces power provided by the electric motor to the output of the transmission while the electric motor rotates the first prime mover at the speed, wherein the first prime mover operates in a cylinder deactivation mode, the electric motor configured to provide power to the first prime mover to provide a smoother idle in the cylinder deactivation mode and to reduce the fuel consumption required by the first prime mover to rotate.
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Abstract
A vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, and a rechargeable power source can be configured for reduced fuel consumption at idle. The vehicle drive system includes an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the first prime mover. The control system causes fuel to be eliminated to the first prime mover while the vehicle is stopped and causes the electric motor to rotate the first prime mover at a speed, thereby reducing fuel consumption at idle for the vehicle.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle drive system for a vehicle comprising a first prime mover, the vehicle drive system comprising:
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a transmission; an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the first prime mover; a torque converter disposed between the electric motor and an output of the transmission; and a control system configured to cause a reduction of fuel provided to the first prime mover, wherein the control system is configured to cause the electric motor to rotate the first prime mover at a speed when the vehicle is stopped, thereby reducing fuel consumption for the vehicle, wherein the torque converter reduces power provided by the electric motor to the output of the transmission while the electric motor rotates the first prime mover at the speed, wherein the first prime mover operates in a cylinder deactivation mode, the electric motor configured to provide power to the first prime mover to provide a smoother idle in the cylinder deactivation mode and to reduce the fuel consumption required by the first prime mover to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a vehicle having a hybrid vehicle drive system, the vehicle includes a first prime mover, and a prime mover driven transmission, the method comprising:
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attaching an electric motor to be in communication with the prime mover driven transmission or the first prime mover; eliminating fuel flow to the first prime mover; and operating an electric motor directly or indirectly coupled to the first prime mover via a PTO or an interface in mechanical communication with the first prime mover, the interface being a gear attached to a flywheel coupled to the first prime mover, a ring gear, or a gear attached directly or indirectly to a crank shaft of the first prime mover, wherein the electric motor is operated when the vehicle is stopped to drive the first prime mover at a speed so that the first prime mover drives at least one accessory without using fuel, wherein the first prime mover operates in a cylinder deactivation mode, and the electric motor provides power to the first prime mover to provide a smoother idle in the cylinder deactivation mode and to reduce the fuel consumption required by the first prime mover to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, and a rechargeable power source, the vehicle drive system comprising:
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an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the first prime mover, wherein the electric motor is configured to provide power to the first prime mover; and a control system configured to cause the electric motor to rotate the first prime mover at a speed while the vehicle is stopped and to reduce the fuel flow to the first prime mover, wherein the control system is configured to use feedback from an accessory to set the speed while the vehicle is stopped, thereby reducing fuel consumption at idle for the vehicle, wherein the accessory is driven by the first prime mover, wherein the first prime mover operates in a cylinder deactivation mode, the electric motor configured to provide power to the first prime mover to provide a smoother idle in the cylinder deactivation mode and to reduce the fuel consumption required by the first prime mover to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification