Patent ID: 8251164

Claim:
A drive system for a hybrid vehicle with an engine having a crankshaft and a motor/generator having a shaft member comprising: a starter sprocket connected for rotation with the shaft member; a crankshaft sprocket mounted on the crankshaft to rotate at the same speed as the crankshaft; a chain engaged with the starter sprocket and the crankshaft sprocket; a planetary gear set configured to multiply torque of the motor/generator, with the multiplied torque being provided to the engine crankshaft via the sprockets and the chain to start the engine a stationary member; and wherein the planetary gear set has a first, a second and a third member; wherein the first member is continuously connected for rotation at the same speed as the shaft member, the second member is continuously connected for rotation at the same speed as the starter sprocket, and the third member is continuously grounded to the stationary member.