Patent ID: 7695393
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: B60K,B60L,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A driveline for use in a motor vehicle to interconnect a powertrain and an axle assembly, comprising: a shaft having a first end coupled to the powertrain and a second end coupled to the axle assembly; and an energy storage device including a non-rotary housing surrounding a portion of said shaft, a gearset having an input member and an output member, a spring disposed between said shaft and said housing and having a first end coupled to said output member and a second end coupled to said housing, a first clutch selectively operable to couple said spring to said shaft for storing energy in said spring, a second clutch selectively operable to restrict movement of said spring to retain stored energy in said spring, and a third clutch selectively operable to couple said spring to said shaft to release stored energy for driving said shaft, wherein said first clutch is operable for releaseably coupling said input member to said shaft for causing said output member to wind said spring relative to said housing, wherein said second clutch is operable for releaseably coupling said output member to said housing for maintaining said spring in its wound condition, and wherein said third clutch is operable for releaseably coupling said output member to said shaft.