Patent ID: 8214094

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of operating a hybrid system for a motor vehicle, the vehicle having at least a motor/generator (MG), an internal combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a transmission, the MG having a rotor and stator, comprising: coupling the stator of the MG to the engine crankshaft via a gear system; coupling the rotor of the MG to the engine crankshaft via a floating coupling and to the transmission via a fixed coupling; wherein the stator and the rotor have relative rotational speeds, such that the stator speed may exceed the rotor speed and vice versa; defining at least five control parameters of the vehicle as the following: polarity of the MG (positive or negative), relative rotor/stator speed, fueling of engine (on or off), the on or off position of a single clutch, and transmission shift position (drive, reverse, park); defining a number of operational modes, each mode associated with a different combination of states of the control parameters; adjusting the gearing of the rotor and stator so that certain operational modes cause the MG to both drive the vehicle and generate electrical energy; using an on-board control unit to receive data representing the state of each control parameter and to generate control signals to control the vehicle based on the associated operational mode.