Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a permanent magnet rotor for an electric machine provided with an internal stator and a coaxial external rotor. To overcome the drawbacks associated with the use of an adhesive to mount the permanent magnets to the rotor body, permanent magnet spacing and retaining elements are mounted to the inner surface of the rotor, between adjacent magnets.

Abstract: A temporary interconnection element to be installed between the rotor and the stator of a bearingless electric machine, for example during its transport, storage or assembly is described herein. The interconnection element is so designed that the rotor may be secured to an external assembly, such as for example the shaft of an internal combustion engine, before the element is removed from its interconnection position.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a series hybrid drive train for a vehicle comprising a traction motor, an electric generator, a three-position clutch (20) and a controller. The three-position clutch allows the generator to be connected to an internal combustion engine (12) of the vehicle, to the traction motor or to remain freewheeling. In a second aspect of the present invention, a four-position clutch is used to further allow the internal combustion engine to be connected directly to the wheels to thereby yield a series/parallel drive train. A third aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method of operating such a hybrid drive train.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission described herein comprises a planetary gear arrangement and a clutch including two electromagnetic clutch portions used to interconnect an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor, an electric motor/generator and driving wheels of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid transmission described herein allows various modes of operation.

Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.

Abstract: A cooling assembly to be inserted in electric machines includes a generally cylindrical body to be inserted inside the internal stator of an electric machine. The body includes a top surface provided with angled bores forming V-shaped channels inside the body. Intersecting V-shaped channels are closed by plugs to thereby define a continuous cooling channel inside the body.

Abstract: An electric machine is described herein. The machine includes an internal stator provided with a central opening. A generally cylindrical cooling assembly is mounted inside the central opening via a first key and keyway arrangement. The cylindrical cooling assembly is mounted to the casing of the electric machine via a second key and keyway arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with an inductance assembly that is so configured and sized as to be inserted inside the cooling assembly of an electric machine to thereby decrease the overall volume of the machine.

Abstract: A cooling assembly including a generally cylindrical body to be inserted inside the generally cylindrical internal stator of an electric machine is described herein. The body includes a cylindrical external contact surface configured and sized to contact the internal surface of the stator. The bottom surface of the body is machine with a channel that is partially closed by a cover to yield a peripheral fluid passage inside the body. An inlet and an outlet aperture are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for starting an ICE of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle having a generator with a rotor rotating at an angular speed and a clutch provided between the ICE and the rotor. The method includes steps of disengaging the clutch so that the rotor and the ICE can operate independently; increasing the angular speed; upon the angular speed reaching a predetermined speed, engaging the clutch; allowing the ICE to crank; and starting the ICE.

Abstract: A cooling assembly to be inserted in electric machines includes a generally cylindrical body to be inserted inside the internal stator of an electric machine. The body includes a top surface provided with angled bores forming V-shaped channels inside the body. Intersecting V-shaped channels are closed by plugs to thereby define a continuous cooling channel inside the body.

Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.

Abstract: A drive train for a hybrid vehicle is described herein. The drive train includes an electric motor having a rotor linked to a ground contacting wheel of the vehicle, a combustion engine that may be selectively connected to the ground contacting wheel and an electric generator that may be directly or indirectly connected to the combustion engine. The drive train may be used in a series mode while the generator is operated at a nominal rotation speed via a speed increasing gear mechanism while the internal combustion engine operates at low speed and in a parallel mode while the generator is operated at a rotation speed of the combustion engine.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine stator core for receiving a pre-formed stator winding includes a core body defining a cylindrical core main peripheral surface. A plurality of axially extending stator slots are circumferentially spaced in the core body. Each of the stator slots defines a slot first section extending radially from the slot base to a slot intermediate radial position and a slot second section extending radially from the slot intermediate radial position towards the core main peripheral surface. The slot first and second sections communicate with each other and are circumferentially offset relative to each other. The slot first and second sections are positioned, configured and sized to facilitate insertion therein of a corresponding conductor section of the stator winding with reduced needs for deforming the latter.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for electric machines comprising a heat storing element provided with generally C-shaped channels and a cooling tube so configured and sized as to be insertable in said C-shaped channels of said heat storing element is described herein. The cooling tube, once inserted in the channels is deformed to conform to the C-shaped channels, whereby heat stored in said heat storing element is extracted by circulating cooling fluid inside the cooling tube.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing the movements of an electric vehicle in a direction opposite a desired direction are described herein. The electric vehicle comprises an electric motor linked to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The method comprises detecting the direction of the desired movement; detecting a movement of the vehicle in the direction opposite the desired direction; calculating a torque to be applied by the motor to the at least one wheel to counteract the movement of the vehicle in the undesired direction; and applying the counteracting torque to the at least one wheel via the electric motor.

Abstract: A cooling device for an internal stator of an electric machine. The stator includes a substantially cylindrical cavity having a substantially cylindrical internal surface. The cooling device includes a body defining an external substantially cylindrical contact surface. The cooling device further includes a biasing element connected to the body. The biasing element is so configured and sized as to bias the contact surface of the body against the internal surface of the rotor when the cooling device is positioned inside the cavity.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for electric machines comprising a heat storing element provided with generally C-shaped channels and a cooling tube so configured and sized as to be insertable in said C-shaped channels of said heat storing element is described herein. The cooling tube, once inserted in the channels is deformed to conform to the C-shaped channels, whereby heat stored in said heat storing element is extracted by circulating cooling fluid inside the cooling tube.