Patent ID: 7645205
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. An electrically-variable transmission comprising: four motive elements including an input member, an output member, a first and a second motor/generator; a first and a second differential gear set, each having a first, a second, and a third member; four selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanisms; wherein two of the motive elements are each continuously operatively connected with a respective one of the members of the first differential gear set and a respective one of the members of the second differential gear set; and wherein the other two of motive elements are each selectively operatively connectable with any respective one of the members of the first differential gear set and with any respective one of the members of the second differential gear set via engagement of a respective one of the four torque-transmitting mechanisms, such that all members of each differential gear set have at least one of the motive elements either continuously operatively connected or selectively operatively connectable therewith, the input member and one of the motor/generators are both continuously operatively connected or selectively operatively connectable with the same member of one of the differential gear sets, and the output member and either one of the motor/generators are both continuously operatively connected or selectively operatively connectable with the same member of the other one of the differential gear sets; and wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable in combinations of two to establish an input-split, electrically-variable mode of operation and an output-split, electrically-variable mode of operation.