James Rick Hendrickson

US Patent:

7101298, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Sep 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/946760

Inventors:

Henryk Sowul - Novi MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US
Donald Klemen - Carmel IN, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5

Abstract:

A hybrid electromechanical transmission includes first, second and third planetary gear sets, an input member, an output member, and first and second motor generators. At least one of the gear members in the first planetary gear set is connected to the first motor/generator. At least one of the gear members in the third planetary gear set is connected to the second motor/generator. First and second interconnecting members continuously connect members of the first planetary gear set with members of the second planetary gear set. Five torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively interconnect members of the planetary gear sets with a stationary member or with other members of the planetary gear sets. One of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms is operative to selectively disconnect the second planetary gear set from the third planetary gear set so that the second motor/generator may drive the output member while disconnected from the first motor/generator and the input member.

US Patent:

7169074, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Jan 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/041802

Inventors:

Madhusudan Raghavan - West Bloomfield MI, US
Norman K. Bucknor - Troy MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US
Alan G. Holmes - Clarkston MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5, 475280, 475284, 475330, 475151, 180 652, 180 657, 701 22

Abstract:

The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and three mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

US Patent:

7172525, Feb 6, 2007

Filed:

Jan 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/040642

Inventors:

Henryk Sowul - Novi MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US
Tejinder Singh - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5

Abstract:

An electrically variable transmission having two planetary gear sets, two motor/generators, and six torque transfer devices to provide input split, compound split, output split, neutral, electric reverse and mechanical reverse modes of operation. The electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is not continuously connected with any member of the planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first and second motor/generators are each continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear sets. The first member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set.

US Patent:

7179185, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Jan 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/028843

Inventors:

Madhusudan Raghavan - West Bloomfield MI, US
Norman K. Bucknor - Troy MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5, 475151

Abstract:

The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two or three brakes). The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

US Patent:

7179187, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Feb 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/061105

Inventors:

Madhusudan Raghavan - West Bloomfield MI, US
Norman K. Bucknor - Troy MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5, 475151

Abstract:

The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two brakes). The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

US Patent:

7220201, May 22, 2007

Filed:

Apr 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/112131

Inventors:

Madhusudan Raghavan - West Bloomfield MI, US
Norman K. Bucknor - Troy MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72
F16H 37/06

US Classification:

475 5, 475 4

Abstract:

The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and five selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in pairs to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

US Patent:

7220203, May 22, 2007

Filed:

May 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/132064

Inventors:

Alan G. Holmes - Clarkston MI, US
Michael R. Schmidt - Carmel IN, US
Donald Klemen - Carmel IN, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US
Henryk Sowul - Oxford MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5

Abstract:

An electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the second member of the second planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set. Five or six torque transfer devices selectively connect members of the planetary gear sets with each other or with ground. The torque transfer devices are engageable in combinations of two or three to provide five or six available fixed speed ratios.

US Patent:

7238131, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Jan 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/028820

Inventors:

Madhusudan Raghavan - West Bloomfield MI, US
Norman K. Bucknor - Troy MI, US
James D. Hendrickson - Belleville MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/72

US Classification:

475 5

Abstract:

A family of electrically variable transmissions providing low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and three selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and one brake. The three selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly, in combinations of two, or singly along with a selectively braked motor/generator to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. Alternatively, the three torque transfer devices may be disengaged while both motor/generators are braked to provide a fixed speed ratio. The first, second and third torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.