Oct 14, 2025

US12441177 - Electrified military vehicle

A military vehicle includes a front axle, a rear axle, and a driveline. The driveline includes an engine, an energy storage system, an accessory drive coupled to the engine, a second motor coupled to at least one of the front axle or the rear axle, and a clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor. The accessory drive includes a first motor and a plurality of accessories. The first motor is electrically coupled to the energy storage system. The plurality of accessories include an air compressor. The second motor electrically is coupled to the energy storage system. The clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor. The first motor is configured to drive the air compressor to pneumatically disengage the clutch to decouple the second motor from the engine.

Assignee: OSHKOSH DEFENSE, LLC
Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
Filing date: 2024-03-11

This patent describes a military vehicle featuring a driveline that integrates an engine, energy storage system, and multiple motors, including one that powers an air compressor. The design allows for the pneumatic disengagement of a clutch to decouple a second motor from the engine, enhancing operational efficiency.

Claim 1

A military vehicle comprising: a front axle; a rear axle; and a driveline including: an engine; an energy storage system; an accessory drive coupled to the engine, the accessory drive including a first clutch where the first clutch is a sprag clutch including a first portion and a second portion, a pulley coupled to the first portion, a first motor, a plurality of accessories, a first belt coupling the pulley to the first motor and the plurality of accessories, and a second belt coupling the second portion to an output of the engine, the first motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system, the plurality of accessories including an air compressor; a second motor coupled to at least one of the front axle or the rear axle, the second motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system; and a second clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor, wherein the second clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor; wherein the first motor is configured to drive the air compressor to pneumatically disengage the second clutch to decouple the second motor from the engine. a front axle; a rear axle; and a driveline including: an engine; an energy storage system; an accessory drive coupled to the engine, the accessory drive including a first clutch where the first clutch is a sprag clutch including a first portion and a second portion, a pulley coupled to the first portion, a first motor, a plurality of accessories, a first belt coupling the pulley to the first motor and the plurality of accessories, and a second belt coupling the second portion to an output of the engine, the first motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system, the plurality of accessories including an air compressor; a second motor coupled to at least one of the front axle or the rear axle, the second motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system; and a second clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor, wherein the second clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor; wherein the first motor is configured to drive the air compressor to pneumatically disengage the second clutch to decouple the second motor from the engine. an engine; an energy storage system; an accessory drive coupled to the engine, the accessory drive including a first clutch where the first clutch is a sprag clutch including a first portion and a second portion, a pulley coupled to the first portion, a first motor, a plurality of accessories, a first belt coupling the pulley to the first motor and the plurality of accessories, and a second belt coupling the second portion to an output of the engine, the first motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system, the plurality of accessories including an air compressor; a second motor coupled to at least one of the front axle or the rear axle, the second motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system; and a second clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor, wherein the second clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor; wherein the first motor is configured to drive the air compressor to pneumatically disengage the second clutch to decouple the second motor from the engine.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12441177

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12441177