#Chevrolet volt generator

Again at low speeds, the ring gear is locked in place via its clutch but now the clutch between the engine and the motor/generator closes, which spins the generator to supply the electricity.

When the battery is depleted, the operation slightly shifts. As vehicle speeds increase to about 70 mph, the main electric motor starts to fall out of its most efficient operating range so then two things happen: The ring-gear clutch opens, and the motor/generator clutch connects the second motor to the ring gear. A third clutch combines the engine crankshaft to the motor/generator.Īt low speeds and with a fully charged battery, the ring-gear clutch is engaged and the main electric motor routes power to the front wheels. A second clutch joins the smaller motor/generator to the ring gear. One clutch connects the ring gear to the transmission case and when engaged, it stops the ring gear from rotating. The ring gear is where things get interesting. The large drive motor is affixed directly to the sun gear. In the case of the Volt, the main output is the driven front wheels, which are connected to the planet carrier. Alternating the speed and direction of the various elements changes the ratio between the inputs and outputs. Planetary gearsets-which are common elements of automatic transmissions-are ingenious devices that have three meshed elements: A sun gear in the middle, a ring gear with internal teeth and smaller planet gears between the two which are joined together by a carrier. All three elements are connected via a planetary gearset. There are two electric motors-a 149 horsepower primary drive motor and a 74-hp motor/generator-and a 1.4-liter internal combustion (ICE) gas engine. GM has finally released all the details about how this powertrain works. It's in this second, 'charge-sustaining' mode where the Volt really displays its technical prowess. Media Platforms Design Team Detroit, Mich-We've tested the Volt and found that it operates as claimed-with a fully charged battery it behaves like a pure EV and switches to gas propulsion once the battery is depleted.

Chevrolet volt