Abstract: An automotive air blower, in particular a supercharger, includes an air pump, such as an air impeller connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, the input shaft of which is connected, in use, to the engine of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to respective branches of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The third branch of the gearset and the input shaft are connected to the rotor of respective electrical machines, the electrical connections of the stators of which machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electric power between them.

Abstract: An automotive air blower, in particular a supercharger, includes an air pump, such as an air impeller connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, the input shaft of which is connected, in use, to the engine of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to respective branches of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The third branch of the gearset and the input shaft are connected to the rotor of respective electrical machines, the electrical connections of the stators of which machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electric power between them.

Abstract: An automotive air blower, in particular a supercharger, comprises an air pump, such as an air impeller (2) connected to the output shaft (4) of a transmission system, the input shaft of which is connected, in use, to the engine of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts (6, 4) are connected to respective branches of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The third branch of the gearset and the input shaft (6) are connected to the rotor (20, 22) of respective electrical machines, the electrical connections of the stators (24, 26) of which machines are connected together via a controller (27) arranged to control the flow of electric power between them.

Abstract: The four branch differential Transmission System, (“FBD”), comprises a first input shaft and a second output shaft. Furthermore there are third and fourth shafts which are respectively connected to first and second variators which control the speed (or torque) of the shaft, to which they are connected. Each variator can, for instance, be an electric motor which can adjust the speed of these shafts. The four shafts (branches) of the FBD are connected directly or indirectly via gears. The FBD comprises spur gear planetary gearsets. There is no requirement for a ring gear. The FBD includes two planetary gearsets using several spur gear suns and planets, which form a combination of a plus planetary gearset and a minus planetary gearset.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle transmission system has two epicyclic gearsets and a first and second electrically connected motor/generator. Components of the epicyclic gearsets and the motor/generators are connected such that, when the transmission system is in use, electrical power is transferred between the first and second motor/generators.