Multi-engine drive system for a vehicle

• US 6,722,458 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Hofbauer, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/938,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 180/65.8, 180/300, 180/301, 180/306, 180/65.5, 746/61, 746/65.A, 746/65.B, 475/334, 475/5, 475/2
• US Class Current: 180/65.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/08 comprising more than one engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/54 Transmission for changing ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/917 with transmission for changing gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 Characterized by control of driveline clutch

Abstract

A drive system for a vehicle includes wheel-carrying first and second axles; a storage battery; and a motor/generator selectively operable in motor or generator modes. The motor/generator is connected to the storage battery and cooperates with one of the axles for applying electric energy to the battery when operating in the generator mode and for applying a driving torque to the axle when operating in the motor mode. The drive system further has first and second internal-combustion engines; a transmission connected to the first engine; a first clutch for selectively connecting the transmission to or disconnecting the transmission from, one of the axles; and a second clutch for selectively connecting the second engine to or disconnecting the second engine from, the transmission.

Claims

1. A drive system for a vehicle comprising

(a) wheel-carrying first and second axles;

(b) a storage battery;

(c) a motor/generator selectively operable in motor and generator modes and being connected to said storage battery and cooperating with one of said first and second axles for applying electric energy to said battery when operating in the generator mode and for applying a driving torque to said one of said first and second axles when operating in the motor mode;

(d) first and second internal-combustion engines;

(e) a transmission connected to the first engine;

(f) a first clutch for selectively connecting said transmission to or disconnecting said transmission from, one of said first and second axles; and

(g) a second clutch for selectively connecting said second engine to or disconnecting the second engine from, said transmission; and

(h) control means for controlling said motor/generator and said first and second internal combustion engines to cause the motor/generator to normally drive the vehicle under normal driving conditions, for causing the first internal combustion engine to supply additional power to drive the vehicle during acceleration and when the motor/generator otherwise cannot supply enough power, and for causing the second internal combustion engine to supply additional power to drive the vehicle when the motor/generator and the first internal combustion engine cannot supply the necessary power for driving conditions; and

,

wherein said motor/generator has a nominal power less than that of either of said first and second internal combustion engines, and, said second internal combustion engine has a nominal power greater than that of said first internal combustion engine.

2. The drive system as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor/generator cooperates with one of said first and second axles and said first clutch connects said transmission to or disconnects said transmission from, the other of said first and second axles.

3. The drive system as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor/generator cooperates with one of said first and second axles and said first clutch connects said transmission to or disconnects said transmission from, said one of said first and second axles.

4. The drive system as defined in claim 3, wherein said motor/generator is connected with said transmission.

5. The drive system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third clutch for selectively connecting said first engine to or disconnecting the first engine from, said transmission.

6. The drive system as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor/generator is a first motor/generator cooperating with one of said first and second axles;

further comprising a second motor/generator selectively operable in motor and generator modes and being connected to said storage battery and cooperating with the other of said first and second axles for applying electric energy to said battery when operating in the generator mode and for applying a driving torque to said other of said first and second axles when operating in the motor mode.

7. The drive system as defined in claim 6, wherein said second motor/generator is connected to said transmission.

8. The drive system as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor/generator cooperates with one of said first and second axles;

further comprising a generator connected to said storage battery and cooperating with the other of said first and second axles for applying electric energy to said battery.

9. The drive system as defined in claim 1, wherein the nominal power of said first internal combustion engine is twice the nominal power of the motor/generator.

10. The drive system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second internal combustion engines are respectively configured for minimum fuel consumption within their respective power operating ranges.