Powertrain and Method for a Kinetic Hybrid Vehicle

Abstract

A kinetic hybrid device and method for a vehicle may include a planetary gear system configured as a continuously variable transmission comprised of three or four ports. The kinetic hybrid device and method may include a flywheel connected to a first port of the system, a final drive connected to a second port of the system, and the variator for the flywheel connected to a third or fourth port of the system. The prime mover and/or other power sources may share a port with the flywheel, but do not share a port with the final drive.

1 . A powertrain for a kinetic hybrid vehicle, the powertrain comprising:
 i. a planetary gear system configured as a continuously variable transmission comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port;   ii. a flywheel configured to be coupled to the first port of the planetary gear system;   iii. a final drive of the vehicle, the final drive being connected to the second port of the planetary gear system;   iv. a first motor/generator coupled to the third port;   v. a second motor/generator configured to be coupled to the first port; and   vi. an internal combustion engine configured to be coupled to the third port.   
     
     
         2 . The powertrain of  claim 1 , wherein the flywheel is connected to the first port of the planetary gear system through an additional gear set. 
     
     
         3 . The powertrain of  claim 2 , wherein the flywheel is connected to the planetary gear system through a first clutch. 
     
     
         4 . The powertrain of  claim 3 , wherein the internal combustion engine is connected to the planetary gear system through a second clutch. 
     
     
         5 . The powertrain of  claim 4 , wherein both the flywheel and the internal combustion engine are connected to a one-way clutch that is connected to the chassis. 
     
     
         6 . The powertrain of  claim 5 , wherein the planetary gear system is configured as a continuously variable transmission and used in turns by the flywheel and the internal combustion engine, wherein the flywheel is selectively coupled to a first port of the planetary gear system and the internal combustion engine is selectively coupled to a third port of the planetary gear system. 
     
     
         7 . The powertrain of  claim 6 , wherein the powertrain is configured to operate in a kinetic-electric hybrid mode in which the first clutch coupling is engaged to couple the flywheel to the first port, the second clutch is disengaged to decouple the engine from the third port, the second motor/is connected to the first port to supply torque, and the first motor/generator is connected to the third port to adjust the speed ratio between the first port and the second port of the planetary gear system. 
     
     
         8 . The powertrain of  claim 6 , wherein the powertrain is configured to operate in a fuel-electric hybrid mode in which the first clutch is disengaged to decouple the flywheel from the first port, the second is engaged to couple the engine to the third port, the first motor/generator is connected to the third port to supply torque, and the second motor/generator is connected to the first port acting to adjust the speed ratio between the third port and the second port of the planetary gear system. 
     
     
         9 . The powertrain of  claim 6 , further comprising a first one-way clutch on the third port and a second one-way clutch on the first port, wherein the powertrain is operable in an electric vehicle mode in one of a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration, wherein
 the first configuration comprises the second motor/generator on the first port supplying torque to the final drive on the second port when the first motor/generator on the third port is off, the second clutch is engaged to connect the first one-way clutch on the third port to lock the third port at zero speed, the engine on the third port is off, the first clutch coupled to the flywheel is disengaged, and power is transmitted from the first port to the second port at a first fixed gear ratio,   the second configuration comprises the first motor/generator on the third port supplying torque to the final drive on the second port when the second motor/generator on the first port is off, the first clutch is engaged to connect the second one-way clutch on the first port to lock the first port at zero speed, the second clutch coupled to the engine is disengaged, and power is transmitted from the third port to the second port at a second fixed gear ratio,   the third configuration comprising both the first motor/generator on the third port and the second motor/generator on the first port being operated with both the first and second clutches disengaged to provide a continuously variable speed ratio for transmitting power to the final drive on the second port.   
     
     
         10 . A flywheel energy recovery system of a vehicle having a vehicle chassis and a final drive, the system comprising:
 i. a first planetary gear set having a first port, a second port connected to the final drive, third port, and a direct mechanical path between the second and third ports;   ii. a flywheel connected to the first port; and   iii. a first brake connected between the third port and the vehicle chassis.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the brake is electrically controlled. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the direct mechanical feedback path comprises a clutch and an additional gear set, the clutch being on the third port, and the additional gear set being connected to the clutch and the second port. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the flywheel energy recovery system is configured to recover energy from the vehicle using the flywheel when the clutch is engaged and the first brake is disengaged, and the flywheel energy recovery system is configured to release energy from the flywheel to accelerate the vehicle when the clutch is disengaged and the first brake is engaged. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the direct mechanical feedback path comprises a second planetary gear set having three additional ports, wherein two of the additional ports of the second planetary gear set are each connected to a respective one of the second and third ports of the first planetary gear set, and the remaining additional port of the second planetary gear set is a fourth port to the flywheel energy recovery system, the fourth port being connected to a second brake that is connected to the vehicle chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the flywheel energy recovery system is configured to recover energy from the vehicle to the flywheel when the first brake on the third port is engaged and the second brake on the fourth port is disengaged, and to release energy from the flywheel to accelerate the vehicle when the first brake on the third port is disengaged and the second brake on the fourth port is engaged.