Powertrain with electrically variable transmission providing improved gradeability

US7278940B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Motors LLC · US

Inventors

• Anthony P. Tata · Fenton, US
• Kyle K. Kinsey · Fenton, US
• Robert D. Burns · Batavia, US
• Brendan M. Conlon · Rochester Hills, US
• Donald Pfaff · Mount Clemens, US
• Mark A. Theobald · Bloomfield Hills, US
• Mark Damico · Island Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 13, 2004
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2007
• Expiry date: Jun 1, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S903/945
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A powertrain includes an engine with an engine output member and a transmission with two motor/generators and a transmission input member operatively connected to the engine output member. A control unit is configured to selectively cause a device to resist or prevent rotation of the input member in response to the existence of certain conditions, such as the engine not supplying torque to the transmission and the transmission being in reverse operating mode. Resisting or preventing rotation of the input member improves transmission performance when only the motor/generators are supplying torque to propel the vehicle. A corresponding method is also provided.