US5431241A — Hybrid traction control system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 172 words

In a hybrid traction system of a motor vehicle comprising: a power train originating at an engine that generates output power and extending in one direction to at least one auxiliary device that consumes a portion of the output power and in another direction to a differential that apportions the remaining output power between at least one pair of drive wheels; an engine output power controller that regulates generation of the output power by an engine; a brake that regulates transmission of the output power along said power train to said pair of drive wheels; a detector that detects wheel slip of at least one of said pair of drive wheels; and a control system that responds to the detection of wheel slip by engaging both said engine controller and said brake for reducing the output power transmitted to said pair of drive wheels, the improvement in which said brake is positioned along said power train between said auxiliary device and said engine for reducing the output power transmitted to the differential.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 172 words

In a hybrid traction system of a motor vehicle comprising: a power train originating at an engine that generates output power and extending in one direction to at least one auxiliary device that consumes a portion of the output power and in another direction to a differential that apportions the remaining output power between at least one pair of drive wheels; an engine output power controller that regulates generation of the output power by an engine; a brake that regulates transmission of the output power along said power train to said pair of drive wheels; a detector that detects wheel slip of at least one of said pair of drive wheels; and a control system that responds to the detection of wheel slip by engaging both said engine controller and said brake for reducing the output power transmitted to said pair of drive wheels, the improvement in which said brake is positioned along said power train between said auxiliary device and said engine for reducing the output power transmitted to the differential.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system of claim 1 in which said engine includes a block and an output shaft rotatable within said block, and said brake is connected to a portion of said power train that rotates at the same speed as said engine output shaft.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 2 in which said brake is positioned for producing resistance to rotation of said output shaft with respect to said block.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 3 in which said power train includes a pulley coupled to said output shaft for transmitting the output power to said auxiliary device, and said brake is located between said block and said pulley.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 4 in which said brake includes two relatively movable members, a first of said members being coupled to said block and a second of said members being at least indirectly coupled to said output shaft.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 5 in which said second member is coupled to said pulley.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 5 in which said pulley includes a hollow interior, and first and second members are enclosed within said hollow interior of the pulley.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 7 in which one of said first and second members is movable against a spring force along the output shaft.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 8 in which said first member includes an electromagnetic coil, and said second member includes an armature that is attracted toward said first member upon energization of said coil.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 1 in which said differential is a limited slip differential for generating frictional resistance to relative rotation between said pair of drive wheels.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 83 words

A brake mounted on an engine of a motor vehicle comprising: an engine block; an output shaft rotatable by power generated within said block; a drive pulley for conveying the power to auxiliary devices; a first member coupled to said engine block; a second member coupled together with said drive pulley to said output shaft; and an actuator for controlling relative movement between said first and second members for developing resistance to rotation of said output shaft with respect to said engine block.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 83 words

A brake mounted on an engine of a motor vehicle comprising: an engine block; an output shaft rotatable by power generated within said block; a drive pulley for conveying the power to auxiliary devices; a first member coupled to said engine block; a second member coupled together with said drive pulley to said output shaft; and an actuator for controlling relative movement between said first and second members for developing resistance to rotation of said output shaft with respect to said engine block.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

The brake of claim 11 in which said pulley includes a hollow interior, and said first and second members are enclosed within said hollow interior of the pulley.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The brake of claim 12 in which one of said first and second members is movable along said output shaft.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

The brake of claim 13 in which said first and second members have frictional surfaces that are engageable for developing frictional resistance to rotation of said output shaft.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The brake of claim 14 in which a spring opposes movement of said one member along said output shaft.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The brake of claim 15 in which said second member is coupled to said pulley.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

The brake of claim 16 in which said spring couples said second member to said pulley.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 13 words

The brake of claim 14 in which said actuator is an electromagnetic actuator.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 33 words

The brake of claim 18 in which said first member includes an electromagnetic coil, and said second member includes an armature that is moved toward said first member upon energization of said coil.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

The brake of claim 12 further comprising a rotatable seal located between said engine block and said drive pulley for preventing contaminants from entering said hollow interior of the pulley.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 28 words

The brake of claim 11 in which said first member is attached directly to said engine block to promote heat exchange between said first member and said block.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 105 words

A traction system of a motor vehicle comprising: an engine that generates output power having an output shaft rotatable within an engine block; a drive train connected to said output shaft for transmitting the output power to a pair of drive wheels; a drive pulley coupled to said output shaft; a brake located between said engine block and said pulley; a detector that detects wheel slip of at least one of the pair of drive wheels; and a control system that responds to the detection of excessive wheel slip by engaging said brake for reducing the output power transmitted to the pair of drive wheels.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 105 words

A traction system of a motor vehicle comprising: an engine that generates output power having an output shaft rotatable within an engine block; a drive train connected to said output shaft for transmitting the output power to a pair of drive wheels; a drive pulley coupled to said output shaft; a brake located between said engine block and said pulley; a detector that detects wheel slip of at least one of the pair of drive wheels; and a control system that responds to the detection of excessive wheel slip by engaging said brake for reducing the output power transmitted to the pair of drive wheels.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 22 in which said drive pulley includes a hollow interior, and at least a portion of said brake is enclosed within said hollow interior of the pulley.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 23 in which said brake includes a first member coupled to said engine block and a second member at least indirectly coupled to said output shaft.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 24 in which said first and second members have frictional surfaces that are engageable for developing frictional resistance to rotation of said output shaft with respect to said block.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 25 in which one of said members is relatively movable for engaging said frictional surfaces.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 25 in which said second member is formed by said interior of the pulley.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 26 in which said second member is connected to said pulley with a spring.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-07-10	1999-01-09	1999-07-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-07-10	2003-01-09	2003-07-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-07-10	2007-01-09	2007-07-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Hybrid traction control system

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