A hybrid vehicle drive device includes a power transmission mechanism including a transmission coupled to an engine output shaft, a clutch coupled to a transmission output shaft, a first gear coupled to a clutch output shaft, a final reduction gear that constantly meshes with the first gear, a drive shaft coupled to the final reduction gear, a first rotary element coupled to an electric motor, and a second rotary element that meshes with the final reduction gear and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotary element. The power transmission mechanism is disposed so that, when viewed from the rotational axis direction of each gear, a line that connects the rotational axis of the first rotary element and the rotational axis of the second rotary element is inclined to the first gear side in relation to the vertical direction of the vehicle when mounted to a vehicle.

A method is provided to control a hybrid powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine; a gearbox with input and output shafts; a range gearbox, connected to the output shaft; a first planetary gear, connected to the input shaft; a second planetary gear, connected to the first planetary gear; a first electrical machine, connected to the first planetary gear; a second electrical machine, connected to the second planetary gear; at least one gear pair, connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft; and at least one gear pair, connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft, wherein the internal combustion engine is connected with the first planetary gear via the input shaft. The method comprises the steps: a) engaging a gear by way of connecting two rotatable components in the first planetary gear; b) connecting the at least one gear pair, connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft; c) connecting a sixth gear pair, arranged between a countershaft and the range gearbox with the countershaft, so that the countershaft is connected with the output shaft via the range gearbox; d) controlling the range gearbox from a low range position to a neutral state, in which no torque transmission occurs through the range gearbox; e) controlling two rotatable components in the range gearbox towards achieving a synchronized rotational speed with the assistance of the first electrical machine; f) connecting the rotatable components with the use of a shiftable third clutch device; and g) engaging a gear by way of connecting two rotatable components in the second planetary gear.

Provided is a method to control a hybrid powertrain to achieve a reverse drive, wherein the hybrid powertrain comprises an internal combustion engine; a gearbox with an input and output shaft; a first planetary gear connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft; first and second electrical machines respectively connected to the first and second planetary gears; one gear pair connected with the first main shaft and the output shaft; and one gear pair connected with the second main shaft and the output shaft, wherein the internal combustion engine is connected with the first planetary gear via the input shaft. The method comprises: ensuring that moveable component parts in the first planetary gear are disconnected from each other and/or that moveable component parts in the second planetary gear are disconnected from each other; ensuring that an output shaft in the internal combustion engine is prevented from rotating; and controlling the first electrical machine and/or second electrical machine to achieve a negative torque in the output shaft via the first main shaft and/or second main shaft.

A synchronous electric machine includes a stator having a plurality of teeth with first and second active surfaces; first and second stator windings having respective series of first and second coils wound on said teeth; first and second rotors having respective series of first and second permanent magnets with alternate polarities and facing said respective first and second active surfaces; wherein the first coils and the second coils of each stator winding are arranged in pairs, with two coils of each pair offset from each other by a predetermined angle; and wherein, during operation as a motor, two first coils of each pair produce concordant torque contributions on the first rotor and discordant torque contributions on the second rotor and two second coils of each pair produce concordant torque contributions on the second rotor and discordant torque contributions on the first rotor.

A power transmission system includes first differential mechanism connected to an engine, and second differential mechanism. The first differential mechanism includes a first rotating element connected to the engine, and second and third rotating elements. The second differential mechanism includes a fourth rotating element connected to second rotating element, fifth rotating element connected to a first electric rotary machine, and sixth rotating element that is an output element of the second differential mechanism. The power transmission system further includes at least one of a first clutch and brake, and a second clutch. The first clutch is configured to releasably couple two of the first, second and third rotating elements to each other. The brake is configured to releasably couple the third rotating element to a stationary element. The second clutch is configured to releasably couple the third rotating element to one of the fifth and sixth rotating elements.

A power module assembly includes opposing end caps collectively having coolant ports and a row of cards that each have a major side defining a projection extending across the card. A side panel extends between the end caps such that the panel and row define a channel in fluid communication with the ports and configured to convey coolant directly across the cards. The side panel defines a groove that receives the projections.

Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of an engine exhaust driven fuel reformer in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a narrow operating range where fuel reformer operation is optimal while using motor and/or CVT adjustments to address transients generated as driver demand varies. The controller may also adjust an operating range of temperatures of the reformer to enable extended fuel reforming even after the engine of the hybrid has been shutdown.

A drive system for a vehicle having a rear drive assembly powered by a first power source, a front drive assembly in selective electrical communication with a second power source, a selector switch to selectively permit or prevent electrical communication between the front drive assembly and the second power source, and an output capacity sensor to detect an output of the first power source, where the rear drive assembly drives the vehicle when the selector switch is in a first position and both the rear and front drive assemblies drive the vehicle when the selector switch is in a second position and the output capacity sensor detects that the output of the first power source meets a threshold output.

A drive train for a vehicle includes a first electromagnetic device, a second electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the first electromagnetic device by an electrical power transmission system, and an engine coupled to the first electromagnetic device and configured to drive the first electromagnetic device to provide electrical energy. In all modes of operation where the engine drives the first electromagnetic device to provide the electrical energy, the first electromagnetic device operates without providing the electrical energy to an energy storage device.

A vehicle is operable in three modes of operation. The vehicle includes a first electromagnetic device, a second electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the first electromagnetic device, and an engine coupled to the first electromagnetic device and configured to drive the first electromagnetic device to provide electrical energy. In each of the three modes of operation, whenever the engine drives the first electromagnetic device to provide the electrical energy, the first electromagnetic device operates without providing the electrical energy to an energy storage device.