Abstract: A transmission system for a hybrid drive unit is provided herein. The transmission system includes a centrifugal clutch that is connected to a driven shaft and that is connectable to an electric machine, as well as a clutch slider element that is connected to a rotor of the electric machine and that is slidable relative to the centrifugal clutch between three engagement positions. In one of the position the transmission system is operable in either an electric-only drive mode (electric machine drives the driven shaft while the centrifugal clutch is disengaged), or at least one hybrid drive mode (engine and electric machine drive the driven shaft). The transmission system also includes a clutch override assembly for rotatably coupling the centrifugal clutch and clutch slider element to provide continuous torque transmission to the driven shaft when switching between the electric-only drive mode and the at least one hybrid drive mode.

Abstract: A hybrid electric/combustion propulsion/electric generator apparatus comprising: a driven shaft mating mechanism; a hub mating mechanism; an electric machine operable as an electric motor or generator, comprising a rotor comprising a drum; a clutch mechanism, comprising first and second mating mechanisms, axially slidable and engaged with the drum/rotor; and a selection mechanism for sliding the clutch mechanism into a start position (wherein the electric motor can rotate the centrifugal clutch to rotate the driving shaft), a neutral position (wherein rotation of the drum/rotor operates the electric machine as the generator), or a drive position, wherein the apparatus is operable in either a pure electric drive mode (electric motor drives the driven shaft clockwise or counter clockwise while the centrifugal clutch is disengaged), or a hybrid drive mode (engine and electric motor drive the driven shaft) or a propulsion/generation mode (engine drives the driven shaft and generator produces electricity).

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for regulating a compression ratio of an HCCI rotary engine. The engine has a rotor piston rotatable in an operating direction. The stator has one or more combustion chamber throughways, each having at least first and second interior walls. The apparatus comprises, within each combustion chamber throughway, an expansion gate slidably received within the throughway and slidably engaged with and adjacent to the first interior wall, a combustion gate slidably engaged with and adjacent to the expansion gate in the operating direction, and a compression gate slidably engaged with and adjacent to both the combustion gate and the second interior wall, and disposed adjacent the combustion gate in the operating direction. Each gate is slidable longitudinally within the combustion chamber throughway. Rotation of the rotor piston, to a position where a lobe end of the piston aligns with a combustion gate, forms a combustion chamber.