VARIABLE SPEED HYBRID ELECTRIC SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE HAVING SAME

摘要

A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.

主权项

1. A supercharger assembly for an engine having a crankshaft and an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine, the supercharger assembly comprising:
a supercharger upstream of the plenum in the air flow to the engine, wherein the supercharger has a first rotor mounted on and rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor meshing with the first rotor and mounted on and rotatable with a second shaft via rotation of the first shaft; an electric motor-generator selectively operable as a motor and as a generator; a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to be rotated by the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft; two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms including a clutch selectively engageable to operatively connect the second member for rotation with the engine crankshaft, and a brake selectively engageable to hold the first shaft stationary; and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator, the brake and the clutch to achieve different operating modes.