Series And Parallel (ipc) Patents (Class 180/65.225)
  • Patent number: 8344677
    Abstract: Power conversion equipment includes an electric power converting section that converts DC electric power to multiphase AC electric power and feeds the converted multiphase AC electric power to a multiphase AC motor. A first short-circuit section includes a first switch disposed between a first DC power supply and the electric power converting section. A second short-circuit section includes a second switch disposed between at least one of an electric power feeding section and the electric power input section in the first DC power supply, or between a multiphase AC output point of the electric power converting section and the multiphase AC motor. A switch control section controls the first switch and the second switch such that the first and second switches are prevented from being brought into the closed-state simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8334679
    Abstract: A generator control system is provided in a vehicle having an engine that drives an electric power generator arranged to selectively provide electric power to an electrical load of the vehicle and to selectively charge a battery of the vehicle. The generator control system includes: a sensor that detects a state of charge (SOC) of the battery; and, a controller that controls a voltage output mode of the generator in response to the SOC detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Owens, Tadashi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20120312622
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (10) has a drive train in the region of a front axle. A body of the motor vehicle has connection points (1, 2, 3) for a laterally arranged internal combustion engine, a vehicle transmission (15) and a torque plate of a motor vehicle (10) that can be driven exclusively by the internal combustion engine. The connection points (1, 2, 3) also are connection points for a hybrid drive train (11). The vehicle uses a modular design principle and can be equipped with differently designed drive systems, including conventional drive exclusively by an internal combustion engine and hybrid drive, without having to make structural modifications. The hybrid drive train may be a serial hybrid or a parallel hybrid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus Hoermandinger, Nikolai Henger
  • Publication number: 20120302396
    Abstract: A system for determining disablement of driving of a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The system for determining disablement of driving of a hybrid vehicle may include: power electronic components having a battery at which DC electricity is stored, an inverter converting the DC electricity of the battery into AC electricity, and a motor receiving the AC electricity from the inverter and generating driving torque; an engine burning a fuel so as to generate driving torque and being selectively connected to the motor; an engine clutch selectively connecting the engine to the motor; a transmission connected to the motor to receive the driving torque of the motor or the driving torque of the engine; and a control portion controlling operations of the power electronic components, the engine, and the engine clutch, wherein the control portion turns off a system ready indication in a case that driving of the vehicle is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Daero Park, Seok Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 8290681
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain including an electro-mechanical transmission coupled to an engine and an electric machine includes monitoring a desired input speed; signal processing the desired input speed to create a lead control signal to control the engine, wherein the signal processing includes low pass filtering the desired input speed and applying system constraint limits upon the desired input speed; signal processing the desired input speed to create an immediate control signal to control the electric machine, wherein the signal processing includes delaying the desired input speed by a lead period, low pass filtering the desired input speed, and applying system constraint limits upon the desired input speed; and controlling the powertrain through a powertrain transition based upon the lead control signal and said immediate control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Anthony H. Heap, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8271156
    Abstract: When determined that a driver's accelerator operation is rough during the turn-on condition of an ECO switch 88 while a hybrid vehicle 20 is driven without an operation of an engine 22 (Step S120), a threshold value Pref with respect to a power demand P* is set to a value P2 that is larger than a value P1 of the turn-off condition of the ECO switch 88 so as to give priority to fuel consumption of the engine 22 (Step S140). Then, the engine 22, motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled with a start of the engine 22 as necessary so as to ensure torque equivalent to a torque demand Tr* (Steps S150-S230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Jinno, Tadashi Nakagawa, Masahiko Maeda, Hideaki Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 8210290
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a generator connected to an electrical energy storage unit in a vehicle power train. An engine is connected to a drive shaft of the vehicle through a transmission and with an interrupting device with which the transmission of torque from the engine to the drive shaft is interruptible. When the transmission of torque between the engine and the drive shaft is interrupted the generator is driven from the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Emmanuel Simon, Oswald Friedmann, Christian Lauinger
  • Patent number: 8212502
    Abstract: A first motor generator-control unit (MG1-ECU) and a second motor generator-control unit (MG2-ECU) are provided independently for respective motor generators. The MG2-ECU performs electric power balance control by correcting an MG2 torque command value as required, so that the sum of the MG1 electric power and the MG2 electric power is within a range of allowable input/output electric power of a DC power supply. The electric power balance control is performed using an estimate of the MG1 electric power based on data obtained by the MG1-ECU. The estimate is determined so that a communication delay time between the MG1-ECU and the MG2-ECU is corrected. In this way, the electric power balance control can be performed appropriately for restricting, within a predetermined range, the total input/output electric power of the electric motors as a whole of a hybrid vehicle mounted with a plurality of motor generators (electric motors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Takeshi Itoh
  • Publication number: 20120152635
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward a kinetic energy storage system for capturing kinetic energy of a vehicle, converting the captured kinetic energy into another form, and storing the converted energy in a portable energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond Hartjen, III
  • Publication number: 20120136531
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including: steps of detecting an SOC and a temperature TB of a traction battery; when an EV switch is on, a step of calculating a temperature correction coefficient ? from TB; when EV switch not on, a step of calculating a temperature correction coefficient ? from TB; steps of calculating an EV traveling allowed power value WOUT based on the SOC and the temperature correction coefficients; and a step of transmitting EV traveling allowed power value WOUT to a meter ECU in order to indicate EV traveling allowed power value WOUT on a power meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kunihiko JINNO
  • Patent number: 8145375
    Abstract: A powertrain including an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and first and second electric machines to transmit power to an output member is disclosed. A method for controlling the electro-mechanical transmission includes determining minimum and maximum motor torque constraints for the first and second electric machines, and determining available battery power in terms of battery power constraints. One of a first, a second and a third case is determined based upon the motor torque constraints and the battery power constraints. A preferred output torque is determined for transmitting to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsieh, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8129931
    Abstract: A motor control device includes a magnetization control unit energizing a motor winding to change magnetic flux content of permanent magnet motor, a current detector detecting current supplied to the motor, a vector control unit including a speed/position estimation unit carrying out an operation to estimate a motor rotational speed and rotational position, the vector control unit carrying out a vector control of the motor, an induced voltage detector detecting an induced voltage of the motor based on the rotational speed, motor currents obtained by the vector control unit, output voltages of the drive unit, a winding inductance or the motor constant and a winding resistance, an induced voltage command determining unit determining an induced voltage command based on the motor rotational speed and output torque, and a magnetization current determining unit determining an amount of energization based on the induced voltage of the motor and the induced voltage command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Sari Maekawa, Kazunobu Nagai, Isamu Nitta
  • Patent number: 8122983
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle which stops an engine in a state in which a drive source element connection by a clutch is released; a transmission is used to couple only one of the motors to a drive shaft; and one of the motors is caused to output power; at this time, in order to start the engine, a rotation speed of the other one of the motors which does not correspond to a current speed ratio and is not connected to the drive shaft is adjusted so as to enable the drive source element connection; and the clutch is connected as well as the engine is cranked by one of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Publication number: 20120017854
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, having a drive unit which includes at least one internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has at least two component internal combustion engines each with a crankshaft and each with a defined number of cylinders, wherein each of the component internal combustion engines each has at least one separate valve drive for actuating inlet valves and outlet valves of the cylinders of the respective component internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Hölscher, Michael Baum
  • Patent number: 8099179
    Abstract: A dual-redundant propulsion-by-wire control architecture with robust monitoring is presented to increase system availability without compromising safety. The dual-redundant controllers are able to cross-monitor and self-monitor. Self monitoring is effected at the application level and built-in system tests are performed. The monitor functions are set as high priority tasks. The first controller controls operation of a first propulsion system, monitors operation of a second controller, and, self-monitors. The second controller controls operation of a second propulsion system, monitors operation of the first controller, and, self-monitors. Each controller is operable to identify faults occurring in the first and the second controller, and implement an alternate operating control scheme for the respective propulsion system when a fault is identified. The first controller is signally connected to the second controller by substantially redundant communications buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Pradyumna K. Mishra, Soila M. Pertet
  • Patent number: 8056659
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle includes an engine, two motors, and a power distribution integration mechanism arranged coaxially with one another and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission shaft extended in parallel with a first motor shaft and a second motor shaft, a first coupling gear train in combination with a second coupling gear train and a clutch arranged to selectively connect a ring gear and a sun gear of the power distribution integration mechanism to the transmission shaft, a deceleration mechanism connected with the transmission shaft and arranged to decelerate power from the transmission shaft and output the power of the reduced speed from a carrier, and a clutch arranged to selectively connect the carrier and the ring gear to a driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 8040083
    Abstract: In a motor drive control system configured to include a converter capable of stepping up the voltage, when the locked state of MG2 operating as an electric motor does not occur (NO in S130), a voltage command value VHref for the converter output voltage is set according to respective required voltages of MG1 operating as an electric generator and MG2 (S140). In contrast, when the locked state of MG2 occurs (YES in S130), the voltage command value VHref is set to a limit voltage Vlmt or less for limiting the voltage step-up by the converter (S150, S180). When the locked state occurs, the converter output voltage is decreased and accordingly the DC voltage switched by the inverter is lowered, so that a switching loss at the switching device forming a part of the inverter is reduced and the temperature increase due to the heat generation can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Okamura, Hideaki Yaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110160015
    Abstract: A hybrid power driving system for a vehicle comprises an internal-combustion engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a planetary coupling mechanism, a speed-reduction mechanism and a differential mechanism. An output shaft of the internal-combustion engine is connected with an input shaft of the first electric motor, and an output shaft of the first electric motor is connected with an output shaft of the second electric motor via a first clutch. The output shaft of the second electric motor is connected with one of a sun gear and a ring gear of the planetary coupling mechanism at a position of the output shaft along its axial direction. And the output shaft of the second electric motor is connected with the other one of a sun gear and a ring gear at another position of the output shaft along the axial direction via a second clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Yi Ren, Shenglin Yang, Jun Li
  • Patent number: 7967091
    Abstract: A control method and control system for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with a multiple-ratio transmission is disclosed in which engine start events are separated in time from transmission ratio shift events to effect a smooth transition from an electric drive state with the engine off to a drive state in which the engine delivers driving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Yamazaki, Marvin Kraska, Kathleen Bailey, Natarajan Sureshbabu
  • Patent number: 7938208
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, motors, and a power distribution and integration mechanism that are coaxially arranged with respect to each other. The hybrid vehicle also includes a transmission including a transmission differential rotation mechanism that is a single pinion planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier that is connected to a drive shaft, and that is configured such that these three elements can differentially rotate with each other; and a clutch capable of selectively coupling one of or both of the carrier and the sun gear of the power distribution and integration mechanism with the sun gear of the transmission differential rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 7941259
    Abstract: Vehicular drive system which is small-sized and/or improved in its fuel economy. A power distributing mechanism 16, which is provided with a differential-state switching device in the form of a switching clutch C0 and a switching brake B0, is switchable by the switching device between a differential state (continuously-variable shifting state) in which the mechanism is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a fixed-speed-ratio shifting state in which the mechanism is operable as a transmission having a fixed speed ratio or ratios. The power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state during a high-speed running of the vehicle or a high-speed operation of engine 8, so that the output of the engine 8 is transmitted to drive wheels 38 primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path, whereby fuel economy of the vehicle is improved owing to reduction of a loss of conversion of a mechanical energy into an electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Yutaka Taga
  • Publication number: 20110094809
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train for a vehicle has an internal combustion engine, first and second electric machines and a transmission that are mechanically connected to one another to drive at least one axle of the vehicle. The internal combustion engine (1) and the first electric machine (2) are provided on an input shaft of the transmission (3), and the second electric machine (4) is provided on an output shaft (6) of the transmission or on an axle of the vehicle. The maximum power and/or the maximum torque of the internal combustion engine are/is substantially larger than the power or torque that can be transmitted by the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Poschmann, Martin Roth, Klaus Bastian, Marco Fleckner
  • Patent number: 7931102
    Abstract: In a 2-motor drive mode with connection of both motors with a driveshaft by means of a transmission, a hybrid vehicle sets torque commands of the motors based on a torque demand set at step S110, in order to minimize the sum of a loss of the motors and to ensure output of a power equivalent to a preset torque demand to the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Publication number: 20110093150
    Abstract: A working machine includes: a first electric motor used for work; a second electric motor used for applications other than work; a first inverter circuit connected to the first electric motor; a second inverter circuit connected to the second electric motor; a battery connected to the first and second inverter circuits; and a control unit that drives the first and second inverter circuits. The control unit has a discharge mode to discharge electric power stored in the battery, and discharges the battery by stopping the first inverter circuit while driving the second inverter circuit in order to make the second electric motor perform electric operation in the discharge mode. Accordingly, since the state of charge is reduced, the life of a capacitor can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicants: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO (S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Yanagisawa, Hideaki Kanbayashi
  • Patent number: 7848858
    Abstract: Vehicular drive system which is small-sized and/or improved in its fuel economy. A power distributing mechanism 16, which is provided with a differential-state switching device in the form of a switching clutch C0 and a switching brake B0, is switchable by the switching device between a differential state (continuously-variable shifting state) in which the mechanism is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a fixed-speed-ratio shifting state in which the mechanism is operable as a transmission having a fixed speed ratio or ratios. The power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state during a high-speed running of the vehicle or a high-speed operation of engine 8, so that the output of the engine 8 is transmitted to drive wheels 38 primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path, whereby fuel economy of the vehicle is improved owing to reduction of a loss of conversion of a mechanical energy into an electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Yutaka Taga
  • Patent number: 7810592
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Klemen, Michael R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7800277
    Abstract: A vehicle drive unit includes a crank case with a crank shaft operatively disposed therein and an attached axial gap type rotating machine. The crank shaft is driven via internal combustion to rotate about a center axis. The axial gap type rotating machine includes a rotor fixed to an end of the crank shaft that extends outside of the crank case and a stator fixed to the crank case and facing the rotor. The stator includes a first stator that has first teeth that form the magnetic flux generating area and a second stator that has second teeth. A gap between the first teeth and the second teeth can be varied to vary magnetic resistance by rotating the second stator relative to the first stator. Preferably, a drive mechanism is provided to rotate the second stator relative to the first stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kaminokado
  • Patent number: 7795839
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus by which power is controlled in a hybrid electric vehicle such that high levels of performance and efficiency are realized. The present invention includes a method and apparatus developed to optimize the use of energy in a hybrid vehicle application from the hybrid energy storage device. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with energy storage devices there the energy state, such as the state of charge, is readily determined by an easily measured attribute. Ultracapacitors and hydraulic storage cylinders are examples of the types of energy storage devices to which the present invention may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Bowling Green State University
    Inventor: Aaron Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 7753149
    Abstract: A rotor shaft of a first electric motor is connected to a crankshaft of the engine by being fit to a transmitting member that is coupled to the crankshaft. The stator and rotor shaft of the first electric motor are supported by a case housing the first electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Yutaka Taga, Terufumi Miyazaki, Ryuji Ibaraki
  • Patent number: 7730981
    Abstract: A lift truck power source includes a hybrid power supply including a storage battery, a capacitor bank, and optionally a fuel cell. The capacitor bank stores power produced during regeneration by either the truck traction system or the lift system and delivers current when current demand exceeds that delivered by the fuel cell. The storage battery or fuel cell acts as a main power supply to deliver current at a rate sufficient to power the lift truck. When the fuel cell is the main power supply, the storage battery stores power during times when current demand is less than that delivered by the fuel cell and delivers current at times when current demand is greater than that delivered by the fuel cell. When the storage battery is the main power supply, the fuel cell supplements the power delivered by the storage battery, and can also recharge the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, Bryce A. Gregory, Richard M. Day
  • Publication number: 20100133027
    Abstract: A series-parallel coupling control method and system for a hybrid driver are suitable for a hybrid power vehicle. The hybrid driver is used to produce a driving force to drive a load. The hybrid driver includes a first power generation unit, a second power generation unit, and a main controller. The main controller selectively controls the system to drive the load in a series power coupling mode or a parallel power coupling mode. The main controller switches between the series coupling mode and the parallel coupling mode by using rotation speed compensation or torque/power compensation. Therefore, the driven load will not suffer from sudden thrust or jerk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yi-Hsuan Hung, Chien-Hsun Wu, Bing-Ren Chen, E-In Wu
  • Patent number: 7725222
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle including a motive power distribution mechanism that distributes output of an engine to a first motor-generator and to an output shaft, a second motor-generator that outputs power to the output shaft via a stepped type transmission, and an electricity storage device, and a control method. In an activating operation of the vehicle, a friction engagement device is engaged, and a ready-to-run state is set based on the engagement oil pressure of the friction engagement device detected. It is determined whether the vehicle is in a motor or a non-motor run region. If the vehicle is in the non-motor run region, the original pressure of the friction engagement device is set at a non-working pressure at which a hydraulic switch does not operate, as the engine is started up. After complete explosion of the engine, the original pressure is set at a working pressure at which the switch operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Endo, Kazuo Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 7712560
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain has motor-generator units and gear units assembled in an efficient configuration with an economy of space. Engine power and motor-generator power are distributed through split-power flow paths to front traction wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shailesh Kozarekar
  • Patent number: 7699735
    Abstract: An electrically-variable transmission is provided with input member and output member, first and second motor/generators, a first planetary gear set and multiple additional planetary gear sets as well as at least four torque-transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engagable alone or in different combinations to establish a reverse electrically-variable operating mode, at least three forward electrically-variable operating modes, including two low range forward electrically-variable modes and a high range forward electrically-variable mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 7690454
    Abstract: A hybrid drive, in particular, for a motor vehicle, includes: an internal combustion engine and a transmission disposed on the output side of the internal combustion engine, which transmission is drivable by the internal combustion engine; and an electric motor associated with the transmission having an electrically driven rotor through which the transmission is additionally drivable. The transmission includes an input shaft that is driven by the internal combustion engine and runs in the longitudinal direction of the transmission, an output shaft to drive a machine disposed on the output side of the transmission, or drive wheels in the case of a vehicle, and a plurality of manually or automatically shiftable gear stages to set the various gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft. The electric motor at its longitudinal axis and/or rotational axis of its rotor is attached to the output shaft in parallel or essentially parallel fashion laterally externally to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Rose
  • Publication number: 20100078238
    Abstract: When a required speed ratio as a required value of a speed ratio between an engine and a driveshaft becomes equal to or less than a lower limit speed ratio that is not more than an n-th shift speed ratio during an n-th speed state of a transmission, a hybrid vehicle controls the engine, two motors, and the transmission to ensure output of power based on a torque demand to the driveshaft while performing an engine rotational speed adjustment of making a rotational speed of the engine equal to a shift rotational speed corresponding to an upper side shift speed ratio or an effective shift speed ratio and a shift from an n-th speed state to an (n+1)-th speed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Hiroshi Katsuta, Takashi Kawai
  • Patent number: 7683569
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus by which power is controlled in a hybrid electric vehicle such that high levels of performance and efficiency are realized. The present invention includes a method and apparatus developed to optimize the use of energy in a hybrid vehicle application from the hybrid energy storage device. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with energy storage devices there the energy state, such as the state of charge, is readily determined by an easily measured attribute. Ultracapacitors and hydraulic storage cylinders are examples of the types of energy storage devices to which the present invention may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bowling Green State University
    Inventor: Aaron Bloomfield
  • Publication number: 20100032218
    Abstract: A hybrid drive unit includes a power distribution mechanism for distributing a power from an engine to a first electric motor and to an output shaft; a transmission, which is arranged between the output shaft and a second electric motor in a manner to transmit a torque therebetween, and which is capable of setting an overdrive ratio where a speed of the output shaft is higher than that of a predetermined input element; and an engagement mechanism for connecting the engine selectively with the input element of the transmission, and for setting a speed change ratio of the transmission to the overdrive ratio. The hybrid drive unit is capable of setting an overdrive mode and is easy to be downsized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Hideaki Komada, Yoshihiro Iijima
  • Publication number: 20100018788
    Abstract: In a 2-motor drive mode with connection of both motors with a driveshaft by means of a transmission, a hybrid vehicle specifies one of the motors as a main motor of preferentially outputting power. Torque commands of the motors are then set to make the motor specified as the main motor preferentially output the power over the other motor specified as an auxiliary motor and to ensure output of a torque equivalent to a torque demand to the driveshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Publication number: 20090315359
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: rotatable wheels; a rotary electric machine that generates power for driving the wheels; a battery that supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine and that is fixed to the vehicle; and a detachable battery that supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine, that is detachable from the vehicle and that is arranged at a center in a width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Suzuki, Shinji Ichikawa, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato
  • Patent number: 7614466
    Abstract: A front end portion of an output shaft is supported by a bearing mounted to an inner peripheral surface of a partition that separates a power distributing planetary gear and a speed change unit. A rear end portion of the output shaft is supported via a bearing which is interposed along a portion of the same plane along which also lies a mounting surface of a bearing in a rear wall that supports a rear end portion of a rotor of a second motor. As a result, the output shaft is supported by a twin support structure via the bearings by the partition and the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seigo Kano, Satoru Wakuta, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Toshiharu Ikeda, Atsushi Ishibashi, Masahiro Kojima, Masatoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 7562730
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor that are connected to a driveshaft linked to an axle via a gear mechanism, on condition that a torque demand Tr* required for the driveshaft is lower than a preset reference torque level Tref (step S220) and that a vehicle speed V is lower than a preset reference speed level Vref (step S230), the drive control of the invention idles the engine (step S240) regardless of a stop request of the engine (steps S120 and S210). This arrangement effectively reduces the potential for backlash or gear rattle in the gear mechanism. On condition that the vehicle speed V is not lower than the preset reference speed level Vref (step S220), on the other hand, the drive control of the invention stops the operation of the engine (step S250) in response to the stop request of the engine (steps S120 and S210) even under the torque demand Tr* of lower than the preset reference torque level Tref (step S230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Hideto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7559386
    Abstract: A vehicle hybrid propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission, a plate clutch, and at least one electric actuator coupled with the engine and with the transmission for being able to perform one of the operations consisting of generating propulsive forces, generating electric power and idling. A lever mechanism driven by an electric motor is used to control engaging and disengaging of the plate clutch such that connection between the transmission and the engine and/or the electric motor can be established or blocked. Thus, hybrid propulsion systems having different functions can be formed. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion systems are easy to implement by combining modular components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huan-Lung Gu, Tseng-Teh Wei, Chun-Hsien Lu, Shian-Hsuan Huang, Li-Ju Cheng
  • Publication number: 20090139789
    Abstract: An energy storage type of differential hybrid power distribution system to drive an all wheel driving carrier; a revolution output end of an internal combustion engine (or any other revolution power source) to drive the front wheel through an intermediate transmission and control interface device, and to also drive an input end of the energy storage type of differential hybrid power device to output kinetics to further drive the rear wheel; and an electromechanical unit functioning as a generator and a motor being disposed in the energy storage type of differential hybrid power device to regulate the power distribution between the front wheel and the rear wheel by controlling the electromechanical unit to operate as a motor or as a generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20090107744
    Abstract: A hybrid drive is disclosed, having at least two primary assemblies and a hydraulic or electric machine; one primary assembly and the hydraulic or electric machine are operatively connected to a drive train, and the hydraulic or electric machine, with this primary assembly, forms a parallel hybrid drive, and with the other primary assembly, it forms a serial hybrid drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Heino Foersterling, Alexander Mark, Alfred Feuser, Rudolf Schaeffer, Joerg Dantlgraber, Richard Bauer