Patent ID: 7470209
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: B60K,B60W,F02D,F16H,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hybrid powertrain comprising: a transmission having at least one motor and at least one differential gear set contained therein, said at least one motor and said at least one differential gear set being selectively operable to operate said transmission in an electrically variable mode of operation; an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders each of which has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve provided in relation thereto; a corresponding plurality of pistons each being reciprocally disposed within a respective one of said plurality of cylinders, said plurality of pistons each having an intake stroke, compression stroke, expansion stroke, and exhaust stroke; wherein an intake charge is drawn into each of said plurality of cylinders by a respective one of said plurality of pistons during said intake stroke of said respective one of said plurality of pistons; wherein said at least one intake valve and said at least one exhaust valve corresponding to at least half of said plurality of cylinders are selectively deactivatable; at least one valve actuation mechanism operable to selectively open and close a respective one of said at least one intake valve; and wherein said at least one valve actuation mechanism operates to hold said at least one intake valve of each of said plurality of cylinders substantially open during a substantial portion of said compression stroke thereby operating said internal combustion engine in a late intake valve closing mode of operation when said engine is providing power to a drive member through said transmission.