Hybrid vehicle drive system and method and idle reduction system and method

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system can include a control system for reducing or eliminating regenerative braking during a traction control or anti-lock braking event.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable energy source, and a PTO, the vehicle drive system comprising:
 a hydraulic pump; and   an electric motor configured to be in mechanical communication with the PTO and the hydraulic pump and electrical communication with the rechargeable energy source, wherein the electric motor is configured to receive power from the first prime mover driven transmission through the PTO, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to receive power from the electric motor when the electric motor rotates, the electric motor being configured to use power from the rechargeable power source or from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO to rotate, wherein electric motor is configured to provide power to the rechargeable energy source when rotated by the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO; and   a control system in electrical communication with the electric motor, the control system being configured to eliminate or reduce regenerative braking in response to an antilock or traction control event.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 1 , further comprising a clutch disposed between the electric motor and the PTO wherein the clutch is engaged in response to the antilock or fraction control event. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic pump can both provide power to the electric motor and to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is driven by the PTO to charge the rechargeable power source while driving the hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system provides a dampening function to reduce vibration and gear backlash in the PTO, the control system electronically monitoring velocity of the electric motor and adjusting velocity according to the dampening function. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 1 , further comprising a through shaft coupling the electric motor and hydraulic pump, the through shaft being disposed through the hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is attached to an end shaft of the electric motor. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a hybrid vehicle drive system comprising a prime mover, a prime mover driven transmission, an electric motor, a PTO operable to transfer power between the prime mover driven transmission and the electric motor, an energy source operable to provide power to or receive power from the electric motor, the method comprising:
 providing power from the PTO to an electric motor to charge the energy source; and   reducing or eliminating the power provided from the PTO to the electric motor in response to an antilock or traction control event.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 providing power from the electric motor to a hydraulic pump, the electric motor being driven using power from the energy source.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 engaging or disengaging the PTO from the prime mover driven transmission when portions of the hybrid vehicle drive system other than the prime mover are not required or can be damaged by a connection to the first prime mover.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising operating the first prime mover to simultaneously provide power to the drive shaft and the electric motor through the prime mover driven transmission. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 connecting the PTO to a torque converter in the transmission.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 reducing vibration when switching between powering with the electric motor and the prime mover by electronically monitoring velocity of the electric motor and adjusting velocity according to a dampening function.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 8 , further comprising disconnecting the prime mover during steady state highway use. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle drive system of  claim 8 , further comprising recharging the energy source using any of:
 the prime mover, an electrical grid, an auxiliary power source, or regenerative braking.   
     
     
         16 . A hybrid vehicle drive system for use with a first prime mover and a first transmission driven by the first prime mover, the system comprising:
 an electric motor coupled to a rechargeable energy source;   a PTO, wherein the first prime mover is configured to provide power through the first transmission to the PTO to operate the electric motor; and   a control system configured to reduce or eliminate charging of the rechargeable energy source during an antilock or traction control event.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the control system is configured to allow the rechargeable energy source to be charged to a first level when grid charging is available and to a second level when grid charging is not available, the second level being more than the first level. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the control system is configured to monitor the torque of the first prime mover and the torque from the electric motor to ensure that a turbine torque limit of the first transmission is not exceeded. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the electronic control system is coupled an OEM vehicle data bus and receives an indication of the tracking control or anti-lock braking event via the vehicle data bus. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the control system receives a shift notice signal of a shifting event associated with the transmission and increases or decreases power to the electric motor in response to the shift notice signal for smoother shifting.