1. A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising:
an engine operable to output mechanical power and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis;
a first electric machine including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being operable as a motor to output mechanical power, and operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power:
a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide power flow paths between the engine and at least one of the vehicle wheels, and between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the engine output shaft being directly connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the mechanical power output from the engine is split between the first electric machine and the output member of the planetary gear set; and
a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the ring gear provides the output member for the planetary gear set, and the vehicle further comprises a planetary gear reduction arrangement connected to the output of the second electric machine and the ring gear, thereby increasing the torque transferred from the second electric machine to the ring gear.
3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the planetary gear reduction arrangement includes a plurality of pinion gears and a grounded carrier connecting the pinion gears to each other.
4. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising:
a first mounted gear attached to the output shaft of the first electric machine;
a first input shaft connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set to provide an input member to the planetary gear set for the first electric machine; and
a first intermediate gear attached to the first input shaft and intermeshing with the first mounted gear to provide a power flow path between the output shaft of the first electric machine and the input member of the planetary gear set.
5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising:
a differential operatively connected to the at least one vehicle wheel and having an input shaft;
a second mounted gear attached to the input shaft of the differential; and
a first idler gear intermeshing with the second mounted gear and the output member of the planetary gear set to provide a power transfer path between the output member of the planetary gear set and the at least one vehicle wheel.
6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the input shaft of the differential defines an axis that is not coincident with the first axis.
7. A hybrid electric vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle comprising:
an engine operable to output mechanical power and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis;
a first electric machine including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being operable as a motor to output mechanical power, and operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power;
a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide power flow paths between the engine and at least one of the vehicle wheels, and between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the engine output shaft being directly connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set such that the mechanical power output from the engine is split between the first electric machine and the output member of the planetary gear set; and
a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to the output of the planetary gear set without an intermediate connection to any other member of the planetary gear set.
8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second electric machine is disposed relative to the engine such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis.
9. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising:
a first mounted gear attached to the output shaft of the first electric machine;
a first input shaft connected to one of the members of the planetary gear set to provide an input member to the planetary gear set for the first electric machine; and
a first intermediate gear attached to the first input shaft and intermeshing with the first mounted gear to provide a power flow path between the output shaft of the first electric machine and the input member of the planetary gear set.
10. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising:
a differential operatively connected to the at least one vehicle wheel and having an input shaft;
a second mounted gear attached to the input shaft of the differential; and
a first idler gear intermeshing with the second mounted gear and the output of the planetary gear set to provide a power transfer path between the output member of the planetary gear set and the at least one vehicle wheel.
11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the output shaft of the second electric machine defines a third axis, and the input shaft to the differential defines a fourth axis that is not coincident with the third axis.
12. A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
an engine operable to output mechanical power to drive the vehicle and including an engine output shaft defining a first axis;
a first electric machine operable as a motor to output mechanical power and including an output shaft defining a second axis that is not coincident with the first axis, the first electric machine being further operable as a generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to output electrical power;
a power transfer arrangement cooperating with the engine and the first electric machine to provide at least one power flow path, including a power flow path between the engine and the first electric machine, the power transfer arrangement including a planetary gear set having a plurality of members, including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the planet gears to each other, and a ring gear, one of the members of the planetary gear set providing an output member for the planetary gear set, the first electric machine being connected to one of the sun gear or the ring gear, and the engine output shaft being directly connected to the carrier, thereby facilitating a transfer of at least a portion of the power output from the engine to the first electric machine; and
a second electric machine defining a motor axis and having an output connected to the output of the planetary gear set without an intermediate connection to any other member of the planetary gear set.
13. The powertrain of claim 12, wherein the second electric machine is disposed relative to the engine such that the motor axis is coincident with the first axis.
14. The powertrain of claim 13, further comprising a planetary gear reduction arrangement connected to the output of the second electric machine and the output of the planetary gear set, thereby increasing the torque transferred from the second electric machine to the planetary gear set.
15. The powertrain of claim 14, wherein the planetary gear reduction arrangement includes a plurality of pinion gears and a grounded carrier connecting the pinion gears to each other.
16. The powertrain of claim 13, further comprising:
a first mounted gear attached to the output shaft of the first electric machine;
a first input shaft connected to one of the sun gear or ring gear to provide an input member to the planetary gear set for the first electric machine; and
a first intermediate gear attached to the first input shaft and intermeshing with the first mounted gear to provide a power flow path between the output shaft of the first electric machine and the input member of the planetary gear set.
17. The powertrain of claim 16, the vehicle including a plurality of wheels, the powertrain further comprising:
a differential having an output operatively connected to two of the vehicle wheels and having an input shaft;
a second mounted gear attached to the input shaft of the differential; and
a first idler gear intermeshing with the second mounted gear and the output of the planetary gear set to provide a power transfer path between the output member of the planetary gear set and the differential.
18. The powertrain of claim 17, wherein the output shaft of the second electric machine defines a third axis, and the input shaft to the differential defines a fourth axis that is not coincident with the third axis.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A process for producing a water-soluble article comprising a first compartment containing a first composition and a second compartment comprising a second composition, which process comprises:
a. producing a first compartment;
b. filling the first compartment with the first composition; and
either
c. providing a sealing film comprising the second composition and sealing the first compartment with the sealing film;
or
d. sealing the first compartment with a sealing film; producing a second compartment from the first compartment andor the sealing film of the first compartment; filling the second compartment with the second composition; and sealing the second compartment with a second sealing film.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first compartment is made from a film and the second compartment is formed from the sealing film and the film of the first compartment.
3. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second compartment is formed from the sealing film or from the film of the first container.
4. A process as claimed in any claim from 2 to 3 wherein the sealing film of the first compartment is part of a continuous web.
5. A process for producing a water-soluble article comprising a first compartment containing a first composition, said compartment being sealed with a sealing film, wherein said sealing film comprises a second composition, which process comprises:
a. producing a first compartment;
b. filling the first compartment with the first composition; and
c. providing a sealing film comprising the second composition and sealing the first compartment with the sealing film.
6. A process according to any claim from 1 to 5 wherein the first compartment and the sealing film comprise a poly(vinyl alcohol).
7. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first compartment has been formed by thermoforming.
8. A process according to claim 5 wherein the first compartment has been made by injection moulding.
9. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first composition is a particulate solid, a gel or a liquid.
10. A process according to claim 5 wherein one of the compartments has been formed by a vertical form fill sealing method.
11. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein at least one compartment has been formed by thermoforming.
12. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second composition is a particulate solid, a gel, a liquid or a compressed solid.
13. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first composition and the second composition are each a fabric care, surface care or dishwashing composition.
14. A process according to claim 13 wherein each composition is a dishwashing, water-softening, laundry or detergent composition or a rinse aid.
15. A process according to claim 13 wherein each composition is a disinfectant, antibacterial or antiseptic composition or a refill composition for a trigger-type spray.
16. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the first composition and the second composition are each compositions which are intended to be released into an aqueous environment for example, a pharmaceutical or neutraceutical composition, an agricultural or pesticidal composition or a hazardous compound potentially toxic or damaging to health or to the environment.
17. A water-soluble article obtainable by a process as defined in any one of the preceding claims.