Abstract: A vehicle powertrain for a hybrid vehicle includes an electronically variable transmission (EVT) with an input member to receive mechanical rotary power from the engine, an output member to provide mechanical rotary power to a vehicle powertrain to propel the vehicle, and an EVT gear train configured to selectively and operatively couple the input member to the output member. The EVT further includes first and second motor/generators driveably coupled to the gear train. A selectively engageable input brake mechanism is provided to create a reaction torque for the motor/generators thereby enabling the motor/generators to be used with additive power for electric propulsion or regenerative braking. The input brake improves electrical power to mechanical power conversion efficiency by reducing power circulation when the EVT is operated in electric drive, engine off mode.

Abstract: A two-stage hydraulic pump includes a rotor, a ring, and a plurality of rollers disposed in slots formed on the rotor. The pump has two inlet ports and two outlet ports, which are disposed inwardly and outwardly, respectively, of the rollers. A valve mechanism is incorporated which provides for flow directional control of the output flow of the pump between one portion of the discharge ports and a portion of the inlet ports when a low output flow is desired and blocking that interconnection while connecting the inner portion of the suction inlet side with a reservoir.

Abstract: A one-mode, input-split electrically variable transmission is provided with two motor/generators and a torque-transmitting mechanism that is operatively connected to a second member of a first differential gear set and selectively engageable to connect the second member of the first differential gear set with the stationary member, thereby establishing a fixed speed ratio between the input member and the output member of the transmission. Preferably, another torque-transmitting mechanism is also provided to lock any two members of the differential gear set to one another, thereby establishing a second fixed speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid conversion module configured to easily attach to existing powertrain components in order to produce a light hybrid vehicle. The hybrid conversion module includes an electric motor/generator operable to transmit power to a torque converter and thereby drive the light hybrid vehicle. A storage device such as a battery is operatively connected to the electric motor/generator and is configured to transmit energy to or receive energy from the electric motor/generator. A clutch is configured to selectively decouple the light hybrid vehicle's engine from the torque converter such that the vehicle can be powered by the electric motor/generator in an efficient manner. The apparatus of the present invention also includes a light hybrid vehicle having such a hybrid conversion module attached in the manner described to a conventional powertrain.

Abstract: Provided for a vehicle is an electrically variable hybrid transmission and powertrain utilizing a flywheel for energy storage. The flywheel is connected to an output shaft of the transmission and a first electric power unit through two planetary gear sets. Also provided is a second electrical power unit selectively coupled to an input shaft of the transmission and continuously coupled to an output shaft of a mechanical power source. The transmission, first and second electrical power units, flywheel, and mechanical power source cooperate to provide a continuously variable rotational speed to a final drive to propel the hybrid powertrain equipped vehicle.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and to provide substantially equal fixed forward and reverse speed ratios.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an LCD screen hood is provided for use with digital cameras. The hood includes a hood tube that defines a light blocking sidewall having an open camera end and an opposite viewing end and enclosing a longitudinally extending viewpath therebetween. An eyepiece mounted on the viewing end includes an eyepiece lens for enlarging an image on an associated LCD screen disposed at the camera end of the hood tube. An eye cup is mounted on the eyepiece for shielding the eyepiece lens from ambient light. An objective tube fixed to the hood tube carries a three piece objective lens mounted between the eyepiece lens and the camera end of the hood tube. Magnification of the eyepiece lens varies as appropriate between 1× and 2.5×. Rotation of the eyepiece tube provides for diopter adjuxtment.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine connected to an input torque device including a torque isolator. A plurality of intermeshed accessory drive gears are connected to the torque device for driving accessories. A hybrid electromechanical transmission is connected to one of the accessory drive gears. A motor/generator of the hybrid electromechanical transmission is operable to drive the accessory drive gears when the engine is not running.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the second member of the second planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set. A first torque transfer device selectively grounds the second member of the second planetary gear set. A second torque transfer device selectively connects the second member of the second planetary gear set to the second member of the first planetary gear set.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain incorporates an engine, two motor/generator mechanisms, and a planetary gearset. The planetary gearset has at least one torque-transmitting mechanism, which may be selectively energized to provide a brake on one of the motor/generators thereby reducing the electrical power generation within the hybrid transmission.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission is provided including an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis; an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis; first and second motor/generators; and first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. First and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of the transfer member, and the first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of the transfer member.

Abstract: A reduced cost, compact parallel hybrid transmission having only a single motor/generator is provided. The transmission utilizes a reduced number of components, preferably only three interconnecting members and four torque-transmitting mechanisms, to provide a reverse speed mode and seven forward speed modes (i.e., operating states achieved by engagement of a particular torque-transmitting mechanism or torque-transmitting mechanisms, whether encompassing a continuous range of speed ratios or only a fixed speed ratio). At least five of the forward modes are fixed speed ratios.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission is provided having only a single motor/generator, at least one differential gear set and two torque-transmitting mechanisms. A first of the torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to establish a first continuously variable operating mode and a second of the torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable to establish a second continuously variable operating mode and a synchronous shift between the two operating modes is achievable. A method of control is provided in which vehicle operating characteristics are analyzed to identify a target operating state in terms of operating mode and ratio based on the available motor torque and motor power and on maximizing energy efficiency. The transmission is controlled to approach this operating mode as closely as possible and the diverge away from the optimum torque operating with zero net battery use as the battery charge of the battery connected with the motor/generator accumulates or depletes.

Abstract: A two-mode compound-split hydro-mechanical powertrain employs a hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission having two hydraulic units, at least two torque-transmitting mechanisms, and a planetary gear arrangement for combining the output of an engine and the two hydraulic units into a single output mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis; an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis; first and second motor/generators; first and second torque transfer devices; and first and second planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. The transfer member is positioned between the first and second motor/generators.

Abstract: A two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission utilizes an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage device, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator. The transmission employs three planetary gear sets. Each planetary gear arrangement utilizes first, second and third gear members. The transmission also employs five torque-transmitting mechanisms. One of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms is contained within each of the first and second motor/generators.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission is provided including an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member connected to a transfer gear; first and second motor/generators; and first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. The transfer gear and first and second torque transfer devices are positioned between the first and second gear sets.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the second member of the second planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set. Five or six torque transfer devices selectively connect members of the planetary gear sets with each other or with ground. The torque transfer devices are engageable in combinations of two or three to provide five or six available fixed speed ratios.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and a compound, power-split second electrically variable mode. Torque provided from the power source is added to torque provided from the second motor generator in both forward and reverse electrically variable modes.

Abstract: A two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission utilizes an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage device. The transmission employs three planetary gear sets that cooperate with a plurality of torque transmitting devices to provide two distinct gear trains or power paths corresponding to two modes of electrically variable operation in which the speed ratio between the input member and the output member varies with the speed of at least one of the motor/generators. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable to provide six discrete, fixed speed ratios.