Abstract: This invention pertains to an economical method of easy conversion of any internal combustion fueled vehicle into a fuel saving hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by an add-on kit, without replacing the engine and with a minimal modification of the vehicle body. The converted vehicle has a substantially longer driving range on the same amount of fuel than the vehicle before this conversion.

Abstract: A hybrid driving unit in which a first electric motor (20), a second electric motor (23), a transmission (22) and a power splitting planetary gear (21) are disposed in order from the front side (the side of an internal combustion engine) on an axis within a casing member (14). Since the first electric motor (20) and the second electric motor (23) are disposed adjacently to each other, partial cases for storing these first and second electric motors (20) and (23) may be combined, thus facilitating the accommodation for producing the unit in series.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of transmitting power between a shaft (10) of a heat engine (2) and a wheel (6) axle shaft (12) of a hybrid vehicle. The inventive method involves the use of: a power transmission device (1) comprising an electric machine (4) which is connected to (i) the heat engine by means of a clutch (3) and (ii) a wheel (6) axle shaft (12); and a starting system (31) which is mechanically independent of the electric machine (4) and which is connected to the heat engine (2). According to the invention, the heat engine (2) is started by applying a torque to the shaft (10) simultaneously using the starting system (31) and the clutch (3).

Abstract: A control device is provided for a power train including: a differential mechanism having a first rotating element linked to a first rotary electric machine, a second rotating element linked to a second rotary electric machine and a third rotating element linked to an internal combustion engine; a switching mechanism that switches between a first state that permits relative rotation of the first, second and third rotating elements, and a second state that prohibits relative rotation thereof; and a transmission mechanism connected to the differential mechanism which transmits torque from the differential mechanism to a wheel. The control device includes: a first control portion that controls the switching mechanism so as to switch between the first and second states; and a second control portion that compensates for an amount of change in the torque transmitted to the wheel when the switching between the two states is performed.

Abstract: An engine's power may be gradually reduced during a torque phase of a clutch-to-clutch up-shift within an automatic transmission and then reduced fully during a subsequent inertia phase.

Abstract: A serial hybrid drivetrain enables “super-efficiency” (fuel efficiency exceeding 100 miles-per-gallon) in a lightweight transportation vehicle, utilizing only high power density storage media (for example ultracapacitor media), with the total energy of storage constrained to minimize storage mass, and the resulting low energy requiring a short-cycle of charge and discharge. A unique control system design enables a high extraction of the total energy from the medium, as well as full-rate recovery of regenerative braking energy.

Abstract: A method for determining a diffusion voltage in an electrochemical cell (e.g., a battery used in connection with an automotive vehicle) includes estimating a previous diffusion voltage, calculating a new diffusion voltage using an equation based on a diffusion circuit model and the previous diffusion voltage, and setting the previous diffusion voltage equal to the new diffusion voltage. The step of calculating the new diffusion voltage may then be repeated.

Abstract: In setting of an oil temperature increasing process mode, the drive control technique of the invention starts an engine to actuate a mechanical oil pump that pressure feeds a flow of lubricating oil for lubricating the mechanical parts of a transmission and other relevant parts, actuates an electric oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of lubricating oil, and makes a brake B1 included in the transmission in a semi-engagement state. A motor arranged adjacent to the transmission is then driven with lowered output efficiency. This arrangement effectively accelerates heat generation by the motor and ensures a quick temperature rise of the lubricating oil.

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 sealed nickel-metal hydride storage cell includes a positive electrode containing nickel as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy as a negative electrode active material, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and an electrolyte immersing therein the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The negative electrode has a theoretical capacity larger than a theoretical capacity of the positive electrode so as to provide a charge reserve capacity when the positive electrode is in a fully charged state and to provide a discharge reserve capacity when the positive electrode is in a fully discharged state. A ratio of the charge reserve capacity to the discharge reserve capacity ranges from 1:0 to 1:0.5.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus includes an engine, a motor, first and second engaging elements, an input rotational speed and a controller. The first engaging element is arranged between the engine and the motor to selectively connect and disconnect the engine and the motor. The second engaging element is arranged between the motor and a drive wheel to selectively connect and disconnect the motor and the drive wheel. The input rotational speed detecting section is configured to detect an input rotational speed of the second engaging element corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor. The controller is configured to determine whether the second engaging element is seized based on the input rotational speed when a disengagement command or a slip engagement command has been issued to the second engaging element and a drive force of at least one of the engine and the motor has been changed.

Abstract: The invention proposes a hybrid drive for a vehicle with a power train, which has a first electric machine (4), which is permanently connected to an input shaft (3) of the vehicle transmission (2) arranged between an internal combustion engine (1) and a vehicle transmission (2) with changeable gear ratio, and which can be operated as an engine or as a generator, and a hydraulic pump (5) for the vehicle transmission (2), in which at least one first shiftable clutch device (7) is arranged between the internal combustion engine (1) and the vehicle transmission (2), and in which the hydraulic pump (5) is torque-proof connected to the input shaft (3) of the vehicle transmission (2). A hybrid drive is also proposed, which comprises two electric machines, in which the hydraulic pump (5) is coupled via at least one element for force transfer to the input shaft (3) of the vehicle transmission (2).

Abstract: A mixture of a fuel gas obtained by vaporizing hydrocarbon and air is burned in an engine 11 to generate mechanical power. The fuel gas obtained by reforming the hydrocarbon is supplied to a fuel electrode layer of a fuel cell module 13 in which plural electric power generating cells each including a solid electrolyte layer, and a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer disposed on both sides thereof are laminated, and the air or oxygen is supplied to the air electrode layer, so that the fuel cell module 13 is constructed to be capable of generating electric power at 930° C. or lower. One of or both of mechanical power generated by the engine 11 and electric power generated by the fuel cell module 13 are outputted. As a raw material of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module, gasoline, light oil or the like which can be supplied in a normal gasoline station can be used.

Abstract: A hybrid drive unit including a first motor, a first planetary gear and a second motor, wherein the first planetary gear distributes and transmits a drive force transmitted from an input shaft to the first motor and an output shaft, a power output from the output shaft and the second motor are synthesized and the first motor and the first planetary gear are housed in a transmission case with the second motor spaced from the transmission case.

Abstract: A Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine is used in conjunction with a hybrid powertrain. Power production from the HCCI engine in operation may be decoupled from, or assisted in, responding to driver power demand. In this manner, the HCCI engine: (i) is relieved from the need to quickly adapt to changes in driver power demand, and/or (ii) is allowed to more slowly transition between power levels reflective of the vehicle power demands, with a secondary power source providing the more immediate power response to driver demands. In addition, driver power demand greater than what can be provided by the HCCI engine may preferably be met through the addition of power from the powertrain's reversible secondary power source (e.g. one or more reversible electric motor/generator(s) or reversible hydraulic pump/motor(s)), thereby avoiding the need for full load operation by the HCCI engine.

Abstract: A dual message advertising display system having a variable electronic display and a fixed printed display formed on a shared display screen. The display screen includes fixed information printed thereon, such as an advertisement, logo, or other message. The display screen further includes a plurality of apertures formed there through to provide visual access to an electronic display positioned behind the display screen. The apertures are formed a predetermined spacing apart from each other so that the fixed information printed on the display screen remains easily perceivable and non-distorted to an onlooker. The predetermined spacing of the apertures is also selected to cause the message appearing on the electronic display to obscure the fixed printed information on the display by causing the onlooker to focus upon the electronic display message when activated.