The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 08, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 16, 2011
Brian L. Van Batavia, Delano, MN (US);
Timothy I. Meehan, Waconia, MN (US);
Michael W. Olson, Minneapolis, MN (US);
David L. Makis, Shakopee, MN (US);
Michael J. Voigt, Chaska, MN (US);
David S. Remba, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Don R. Draper, Chanhassen, MN (US);
Brian L. Van Batavia, Delano, MN (US);
Timothy I. Meehan, Waconia, MN (US);
Michael W. Olson, Minneapolis, MN (US);
David L. Makis, Shakopee, MN (US);
Michael J. Voigt, Chaska, MN (US);
David S. Remba, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Don R. Draper, Chanhassen, MN (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle drivetrain has a first driver, a first clutch to selectively couple the first driver with an engine, an energy storage device coupled to the first driver, a second driver coupled to the energy storage device and connected to a driveshaft, and a second clutch that selectively couples the first and second drivers. In one embodiment, the first clutch is opened and the second clutch is closed during a vehicle operating condition requiring high torque, the first clutch is closed and the second clutch is opened during a transient vehicle operating condition, and the first clutch and the second clutch are closed during a steady-state vehicle operating condition. Additional clutches may be included to reduce energy losses or provide multiple mechanical ratios. The drivers themselves may be pumps, motors, generators, combined pump/motors, or combined motor/generators, making the invention suitable for both hydraulic implementation and electric implementation.