Patent ID: 7398845
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,Y02T,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine, a battery, an electric generator, an electric motor and planetary gearing; the planetary gearing including a first gearing element drivably connected to the generator, a second gearing element drivably connected to a torque output shaft, and a third gearing element drivably connected to the engine; a first brake for preventing rotation of the generator to condition the powertrain for a parallel operating power mode; means for preventing rotation of the third gearing element to condition the powertrain for operation in a generator drive mode; the generator being electrically coupled to the motor and the battery, the motor being drivably connected to the torque output shaft; and a vehicle powertrain controller including means for detecting the state-of-the-charge of the battery and the vehicle speed; the controller being configured to set the powertrain for operation in a parallel drive mode when the state-of-charge is greater than a target value and the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined maximum value; the controller being configured to set the powertrain for operation in a generator drive mode when the state-of-charge is greater than a predetermined high value and the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined maximum value; the controller being configured to set the powertrain for operation in a parallel drive mode when the vehicle speed is greater than the predetermined maximum value and the state-of-charge is greater than a target value, and for operation in a power split drive mode when the vehicle speed is greater than the predetermined maximum value and the state-of-charge is less than the target value.