Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique vehicle having a hybrid drive system. Other embodiments include unique hybrid drive systems. Still other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to vehicles, and more particularly, to vehicles having hybrid drive systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Hybrid drive systems that effectively drive accessories under various operating conditions, remain an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks, and disadvantages relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One embodiment of the present invention is a unique vehicle having a hybrid drive system. Other embodiments include unique hybrid drive systems. Still other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting example of a vehicle with a hybrid drive system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates some aspects of a hybrid drive system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial isometric cross-sectional view of the hybrid drive system of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nonetheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the illustration and description of certain embodiments of the invention. In addition, any alterations and/or modifications of the illustrated and/or described embodiment(s) are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Further, any other applications of the principles of the invention, as illustrated and/or described herein, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0009]    Referring to the drawings, and in particular  FIG. 1 , a non-limiting example of some aspects of a vehicle  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically depicted. In one form, vehicle  10  is an over-the-road truck. In other embodiments, vehicle  10  may take other forms, and may be, for example and without limitation, an agricultural, construction and/or forestry vehicle, or may be a passenger vehicle such as an automobile, or a utility vehicle or pick-up truck. Vehicle  10  includes a hybrid drive system  12  and a drive train  14 . In one form, hybrid drive system  12  is a hybrid vehicle drive system operative to provide propulsive power for vehicle  10 . In other embodiments, hybrid drive system  12  may be employed to power other machines or systems. Hybrid drive system  12  is coupled to drive train  14  and operative to provide mechanical shaft power to drive train  14  for powering vehicle  10 . 
         [0010]    Hybrid drive system  12  includes a combustion engine  16 , a clutch  18 , an electrical machine  20  and an accessory drive system  22 . Drive train  14  includes a transmission  24  and a vehicle drive axle  26 . Transmission  24  is coupled to electrical machine  20  and to drive axle  26 . Transmission  24  is operative to transmit power from hybrid drive system  12  to drive axle  26  for powering vehicle  10 . Transmission  24  may take any convenient form, and may be, for example and without limitation, a manual transmission, an automatic transmission, a hydrostatic transmission or any other type of transmission suitable for transmitting power to a drive axle of a vehicle. Drive axle  26  may take any convenient form, e.g., a differential drive train or a hydrostatic drive suitable for receiving power from transmission  24  and applying tractive effort for vehicle  10 . 
         [0011]    In one form, combustion engine  16  is Diesel engine. In other embodiments, combustion engine  10  may take other forms, and may be, for example and without limitation, a gasoline engine or a gas turbine engine. Electrical machine  20  is configured to convert electrical power into mechanical power. The electrical power may be supplied to electrical machine  20  from, for example and without limitation, a battery (not shown); a fuel cell (not shown); or another electrical machine, such as a generator (not shown). In one form, electrical machine  20  is also configured to convert mechanical power into electrical power. For example, in one form, electrical machine  20  is a motor/generator. In other embodiments, electrical machine  20  may take other forms. 
         [0012]    Electrical machine  20  is coupled to combustion engine  16 . In one form, electrical machine  20  is coupled to engine  16  via clutch  18  in a series arrangement configured to transmit mechanical power to drive train  14  in series with electrical machine  20 . Electrical machine  20  is coupled to drive train  14 , and is operative to transmit propulsive power to drive train  14 . Combustion engine  16  is configured to transmit propulsive power to drive train  14  via electrical machine  20 . In one form, electrical machine  20  is coupled to transmission  24 . Transmission  24  is operative to transmit power from combustion engine  16  and electrical machine  20  to drive axle  26 . In other embodiments, electrical machine  20  may be coupled to one or more other drive train components of a vehicle, such as vehicle  10 . 
         [0013]    Clutch  18  is coupled to both combustion engine  16  and electrical machine  20 . In one form, clutch  18  is configured to selectively engage combustion engine  16  with electrical machine  20 , and to disengage combustion engine  18  from electrical machine  20 , e.g., in response to a control signal or other actuation/de-actuation arrangement. When clutch  18  is actuated, combustion engine  16  is engaged with electrical machine  20  so that the power output of combustion engine  16  may be transmitted to transmission  24 . When clutch  18  is de-actuated, combustion engine  16  is disengaged from electrical machine  20 , e.g., so that the rotational speed of electrical machine  20  may vary without regard to rotation of combustion engine  16 . In one form, clutch  18  is an actuatable multi-plate wet clutch. In other embodiments, clutch  18  may be any actuatable clutch. In still other embodiments, clutch  18  may be an overrunning clutch, such as a sprag clutch. In one form, hybrid drive system  12  is configured to start combustion engine  16  by actuating clutch  18  and causing electrical machine  20  to rotate or to continue to rotate. In some embodiments, the rate at which clutch  18  is actuated (engaged) may be varied in order to control the rate of acceleration of combustion engine  16  during the starting process. In other embodiments, combustion engine  16  may be started by other means, for example and without limitation, a conventional starter motor. 
         [0014]    In various embodiments, hybrid drive system  12  is configured to selectively supply mechanical power to accessory drive system  22  from a selected one or both of combustion engine  16  and electrical machine  20 . The selection of the power source as being combustion engine  16  and/or electrical machine  20  may be made, for example, by a controller (not shown) in response to vehicle  10  operating conditions and/or other conditions. In one form, accessory drive system  22  is coupled to both clutch  18  and electrical machine  20 . Accessory drive system  22  is configured to drive at least one accessory. In one form, accessory drive system  22  is configured to drive a plurality of accessories, e.g., one or more air compressors, hydraulic pumps, alternators or other conventional or nonconventional accessories that may be referred to as “engine-driven accessories.” Accessory drive system  22  is coupled to electrical machine  20 . Hybrid drive system  12  is configured to supply mechanical power to accessory drive system  22  from combustion engine  16  by engaging clutch  18  and rotating combustion engine  16 . In addition, hybrid drive system  12  is configured to supply mechanical power to accessory drive system  22  from electrical machine  20  by disengaging clutch  18  and rotating electrical machine  20 . In some embodiments, power may also be supplied to drive accessory drive system  22  from electrical machine  20  while clutch  18  is engaged; in such embodiments, power may be supplied to accessory drive system from both electrical machine  20  and combustion engine  16 , and/or power may be supplied from electrical machine  20  to rotate combustion engine  16  (or to increase its rate of rotation) while electrical machine  20  also powers accessory drive system  22 . 
         [0015]    In various embodiments, accessory drive system  22  may be bifurcated into a plurality of accessory drive trains. In other embodiments, only a single accessory drive train may be employed. In one form, accessory drive system  22  is bifurcated into an accessory drive train  28  and an accessory drive train  30 . Accessory drive train  28  is coupled to electrical machine  20 . In various embodiments, one or more accessories  32  are coupled directly to and driven by accessory drive train  28 . In one form, accessory drive train  28  is a gear drive. In other embodiments, accessory drive train  28  may take other forms or include other forms, e.g., a belt drive, a friction drive, a harmonic drive and/or one or more other drive types. In one form, accessory  32  is a gear-driven accessory. In other embodiments, accessory  32  may take other forms, and may be, for example and without limitation, a belt-driven accessory or a shaft driven accessory. 
         [0016]    In one form, accessory drive train  30  is coupled to electrical machine  20  via accessory drive train  28  and a shafting system  34 . Shafting system  34  is operative to transmit power from accessory drive train  28  to accessory drive train  30 . In other embodiments, accessory drive train  30  may be coupled directly to electrical machine  20  or may be coupled to electrical machine  20  via other means. In various embodiments, one or more accessories  36  are coupled to and driven by accessory drive train  30 . In one form, accessory drive train  30  is a belt drive. In other embodiments, accessory drive train  30  may take other forms or include other forms, e.g., a gear drive, a friction drive, a harmonic drive and/or one or more other drive types. In one form, accessory  36  is a belt-driven accessory. In other embodiments, accessory  36  may take other forms, and may be, for example and without limitation, a gear-driven accessory or a shaft driven accessory. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a non-limiting example of some aspects of an embodiment of a hybrid drive system  50  is depicted. Hybrid drive system  50  is similar to hybrid drive system  12  described above, and hence, the description of hybrid drive system  12 , set forth above, applies to hybrid drive system  50 . Like hybrid drive system  12 , hybrid drive system  50  is configured, in various embodiments, to selectively supply mechanical power to an accessory drive system from a selected one or both of a combustion engine (not shown) and an electrical machine. 
         [0018]    Illustrated components of hybrid drive system  50  include an electrical machine in the form of a motor/generator (M/G)  52 ; a clutch  54  nested within M/G  52 ; and an accessory drive system  56 . Hybrid drive system  50  includes a crank spline  58  and a flex-plate  60 . Crank spline  58  is configured to couple M/G  52  and clutch  54  to an engine, such as an internal combustion engine (not shown). Flex-plate  60  is configured to couple M/G  52  to a drive train component, such as a transmission (not shown). 
         [0019]    Accessory drive system  56  includes a gear drive  62  and a belt drive  64 . Gear drive system  62  includes a M/G  52  output gear  66 , an idler gear  68 , a belt drive gear  70  and an air compressor gear  72 . Gear drive  62  is operative to drive an air compressor  74  via air compressor gear  72 , and to drive a hydraulic pump  76  via air compressor  74 . Belt drive  64  is coupled to gear drive  62  via a belt driveshaft  78 . Illustrated components of belt drive  64  include an input pulley  80  and a drive belt  82  that are operative to drive one or more accessories. 
         [0020]    In one form, M/G  52  is coupled to the combustion engine via clutch  54  in a series arrangement configured to transmit mechanical power to the drive train in series with M/G  52 . M/G  52  is coupled to the transmission, and is operative to transmit propulsive power to the transmission. Clutch  54  is coupled to both the combustion engine and M/G  52 . In one form, clutch  54  is configured to selectively engage the combustion engine with M/G  52 , and disengage the combustion engine from M/G  52 , e.g., in response to a control signal or another actuation/de-actuation control arrangement. When clutch  54  is actuated, the combustion engine is engaged with M/G  52  so that the power output of the combustion engine may be transmitted to the transmission. When clutch  54  is de-actuated, the combustion engine is disengaged from M/G  52 , e.g., so that the rotational speed of M/G  52  may vary without regard to rotation of the combustion engine. In one form, clutch  54  is an actuatable multi-plate wet clutch. In other embodiments, clutch  54  may be any actuatable clutch. In still other embodiments, clutch  54  may be an overrunning clutch, such as a sprag clutch. In one form, hybrid drive system  50  is configured to start the combustion engine by actuating clutch  54  and rotating M/G  52 . In some embodiments, the rate at which clutch  54  is actuated (engaged) may be varied in order to control the rate of acceleration of the combustion engine during the starting process. In other embodiments, the combustion engine may be started by other means, for example and without limitation, a conventional starter motor. 
         [0021]    In various embodiments, hybrid drive system  50  is configured to selectively supply mechanical power to accessory drive system  56  from a selected one or both of the combustion engine and M/G  52 . The selection of the power source as being the combustion engine  16  and/or M/G  52  may be made, for example, by a controller (not shown). Hybrid drive system  50  is configured to supply mechanical power to accessory drive system  56  from the combustion engine by engaging clutch  54 . In addition, hybrid drive system  50  is configured to supply mechanical power to accessory drive system  56  from M/G  52  by disengaging clutch  54  and rotating M/G  52 . In some embodiments, power may also be supplied to drive accessory drive system  56  from M/G  52  while clutch  54  is engaged; in such embodiments, power may be supplied to accessory drive system from both M/G  52  and the combustion engine, and/or power may be supplied from M/G  52  to rotate the combustion engine (or to increase its rate of rotation) while M/G  52  also powers accessory drive system  56 . 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle, comprising: a drive train including a transmission and a drive axle; and hybrid vehicle drive system, including: a combustion engine; a clutch; an electrical machine coupled to the combustion engine via the clutch, wherein the transmission coupled to the electrical machine; and wherein the transmission is operative to transmit power from the combustion engine and the electrical machine to the drive axle; and an accessory drive system coupled to the electrical machine and configured to drive at least one accessory, wherein the hybrid vehicle drive system is configured to supply mechanical power to the accessory drive system from the combustion engine by engaging the clutch; and wherein the hybrid vehicle drive system is configured to supply mechanical power to the accessory drive system from the electrical machine by disengaging the clutch. 
         [0023]    In a refinement, the accessory drive system includes means for driving a plurality of accessories. 
         [0024]    In another refinement, the accessory drive system is operative to drive a plurality of accessories; and wherein the accessory drive system includes a first accessory drive train coupled to the electrical machine; a second accessory drive train coupled to at least one accessory of the plurality of accessories and configured to drive the at least one accessory; and means for transmitting power from the first accessory drive train to the second accessory drive train. 
         [0025]    In yet another refinement, the first accessory drive train is a gear drive. 
         [0026]    In still another refinement, the first accessory drive train is coupled to at least another accessory of the plurality of accessories and configured to drive the at least another accessory. 
         [0027]    In yet still another refinement, the second accessory drive train is a belt drive. 
         [0028]    In a further refinement, the means for transmitting includes a shaft coupling the second accessory drive train to the first accessory drive train and operative to supply power from the first accessory drive train to the second accessory drive train. 
         [0029]    In a yet further refinement, the accessory drive system is coupled to both the clutch and the electrical machine. 
         [0030]    In a still further refinement, the electrical machine is configured to both convert mechanical power to electrical power and to convert electrical power to mechanical power. 
         [0031]    Embodiments of the present invention include a hybrid drive system for powering a drive train, comprising: an electrical machine coupled to the drive train and operative to transmit power to the drive train; a combustion engine arranged to transmit power to the drive train in series with the electrical machine; and an accessory drive system coupled to the electrical machine and configured to drive at least one accessory, wherein the hybrid drive system is configured to selectively supply mechanical power to the accessory drive system from a selected one or both of the electrical machine and the combustion engine. 
         [0032]    In a refinement, the hybrid drive system is configured to selectively supply mechanical power to the drive train from a selected one or both of the electrical machine and the combustion engine. 
         [0033]    In another refinement, the hybrid drive system is configured to start the combustion engine using the electrical machine. 
         [0034]    In yet another refinement, the hybrid drive system is configured to selectively engage and disengage the combustion engine from the electrical machine. 
         [0035]    In still another refinement, the hybrid drive system further comprises a clutch coupled to both the combustion engine and the electrical machine, wherein the clutch is configured to selectively engage and disengage the combustion engine from the electrical machine. 
         [0036]    In yet still another refinement, the accessory drive system is configured to drive a plurality of accessories. 
         [0037]    In a further refinement, the accessory drive system is bifurcated into a first accessory drive train and a second accessory drive train; wherein the accessory drive system is configured to drive a first subset of the plurality of accessories with the first accessory drive train; and wherein the accessory drive system is configured to drive a second subset of the plurality of accessories with the second accessory drive train. 
         [0038]    In a yet further refinement, the first subset includes a gear-driven accessory; wherein the second subset includes a belt-driven accessory; wherein the first accessory drive train includes a gear drive configured to drive the gear-driven accessory; and wherein the second accessory drive train includes a belt drive configured to drive the belt-driven accessory. 
         [0039]    Embodiments of the present invention include a hybrid drive system, comprising: an electrical machine; a combustion engine arranged in series with the electrical machine; an accessory drive system coupled to the electrical machine and configured to drive at least one accessory; and means for directing mechanical power to the accessory drive system when the combustion engine is running and for directing mechanical power to the accessory drive system when the combustion engine is not running. 
         [0040]    In a refinement, the means for directing includes a clutch disposed between the combustion engine and the electrical machine. 
         [0041]    In another refinement, the clutch is configured to selectively engage and disengage the combustion engine from the electrical machine. 
         [0042]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.