Patents by Inventor Klaus Kersting

Klaus Kersting has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9193252
    Abstract: A two motor electric drive hybrid transmission for a vehicle. The two motor electric drive hybrid transmission allows both electric motors to provide propulsive force during engine on and engine off operations when desired. The two motor electric drive hybrid transmission also provides improved and flexible operating configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A Tuckfield, Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20150151625
    Abstract: A two motor electric drive hybrid transmission for a vehicle. The two motor electric drive hybrid transmission allows both electric motors to provide propulsive force during engine on and engine off operations when desired. The two motor electric drive hybrid transmission also provides improved and flexible operating configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher A. Tuckfield, Klaus Kersting
  • Patent number: 8882627
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with four Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and six fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and five selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the six fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the four EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. The EVT modes are designed for the lowest power split ratios, allowing the use of low powered E-motors. Additionally, the present disclosure can include a front E-motor design allowing scalable E-motors and a modular transmission design, and a middle E-motor design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20130331216
    Abstract: A two motor electric drive hybrid transmission for a vehicle. The two motor electric drive hybrid transmission allows both electric motors to provide propulsive force during engine on and engine off operations when desired. The two motor electric drive hybrid transmission also provides improved and flexible operating configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Tuckfield, Klaus Kersting
  • Patent number: 8465386
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semi-power split transmission with multiple Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, and two planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets can include a dual-sun Ravigneaux-type gear set (DS-RGS), a dual-ring Ravigneaux-type gear set (DR-RGS), a three-sun Ravigneaux-type gear set (TS-RGS), and a normal planetary gear set (PGS). The E-motors can be placed at the front end of the transmission, with one E-motor at the front and one in the middle between the gear sets, and with both E-motors in the middle between the gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Daimler AG
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20120270691
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle having a disconnect clutch located between an internal combustion engine, or other power source, and a hybrid transmission. When deactivated, the disconnect clutch decouples the engine from the hybrid transmission, which enables the hybrid transmission input shaft to rotate independently of the internal combustion engine. This enables enhanced electric drive performance for the hybrid transmission. The disconnect clutch provides for internal combustion engine starting, including internal combustion starting at high vehicle speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Tuckfield, Benjamin Kaehler, Klaus Kersting, Markus Brouwer
  • Patent number: 8152668
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with two Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and four fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and four selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the four fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the two EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Alternatively, the E-motors can be located in the middle integrated with the transmission design. Advantageously, the present invention works with lower component speeds than existing two-mode hybrid transmissions. This can be achieved with a front E-motor design enabling modularity and also with a center E-motor design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Daimler AG
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Patent number: 8066609
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with three forward Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes, one reverse EVT mode, and five fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, three selectively engageable clutches, and two selectively engageable brakes. The clutches and brakes are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the five fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Additionally, the present disclosure includes a front E-motor designed allowing scalable E-motors and a modular transmission design and a center E-motor design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Daimler AG
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Patent number: 8021256
    Abstract: An electrically-variable transmission is provided with first and second motor/generators and three planetary gear assemblies. At least one of the planetary gear assemblies is a planetary gear assembly having multiple planetary gear sets. As a result, the gears for the planetary gear assembly can be represented on multiple radial planes. Each of the planetary gear assemblies has continuous interconnections, and selective connections via a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms, that provide three forward electrically-variable modes. Preferably, the planetary gear assemblies are connected to one another in such a manner as to allow shifting between one of the electrically-variable modes to occur at a point offset from a mechanical power flow of the transmission. This decreases the maximum power output required from the motor/generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brendan M. Conlon, Klaus Kersting, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20090275437
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with two Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and four fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and four selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the four fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the two EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Alternatively, the E-motors can be located in the middle integrated with the transmission design. Advantageously, the present invention works with lower component speeds than existing two-mode hybrid transmissions. This can be achieved with a front E-motor design enabling modularity and also with a center E-motor design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20090275438
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with three forward Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes, one reverse EVT mode, and five fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, three selectively engageable clutches, and two selectively engageable brakes. The clutches and brakes are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the five fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Additionally, the present disclosure includes a front E-motor designed allowing scalable E-motors and a modular transmission design and a center E-motor design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20090275436
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with four Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and six fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and five selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the six fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the four EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. The EVT modes are designed for the lowest power split ratios, allowing the use of low powered E-motors. Additionally, the present disclosure can include a front E-motor design allowing scalable E-motors and a modular transmission design, and a middle E-motor design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20090275439
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semi-power split transmission with multiple Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, and two planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets can include a dual-sun. Ravigneaux-type gear set (DS-RGS), a dual-ring Ravigneaux-type gear set (DR-RGS), a three-sun Ravigneaux-type gear set (TS-RGS), and a normal planetary gear set (PGS). The E-motors can be placed at the front end of the transmission, with one E-motor at the front and one in the middle between the gear sets, and with both E-motors in the middle between the gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Klaus Kersting
  • Publication number: 20090111635
    Abstract: An electrically-variable transmission is provided with first and second motor/generators and three planetary gear assemblies. At least one of the planetary gear assemblies is a planetary gear assembly having multiple planetary gear sets. As a result, the gears for the planetary gear assembly can be represented on multiple radial planes. Each of the planetary gear assemblies has continuous interconnections, and selective connections via a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms, that provide three forward electrically-variable modes. Preferably, the planetary gear assemblies are connected to one another in such a manner as to allow shifting between one of the electrically-variable modes to occur at a point offset from a mechanical power flow of the transmission. This decreases the maximum power output required from the motor/generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: BRENDAN M. CONLON, KLAUS KERSTING, ANDREW W. PHILLIPS