Get to Know the 2011 Chevrolet Volt
transmission), which produces electric- ity to power the vehicle. The Chevrolet Volt uses two sepa-
rate electrical systems: A low-voltage system supplies power to the vehicle accessory systems, and a high-voltage system, which propels the vehicle. The high voltage system distributes 360 volts DC to the high-voltage compo- nents and the 3-phase alternating cur- rent (AC) to the transmission. You can easily identify the high voltage system by its orange cables. Let’s take a moment to see what makes the Chevrolet Volt tick.
What Makes the Chevrolet Volt Tick? The Chevrolet Volt propulsion sys-
tem includes these components and systems (figure 1): 1. High Voltage Battery (360V) 2. Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) low voltage (12V) battery
3. Power Inverter Module (PIM) 4. Accessory Power Module (APM) 5. High Voltage battery charger 6. 1.4L gasoline internal combustion engine
7. MKA 4ET50 transmission
A Closer Look at the Components High Voltage Battery — This is
a 360-volt DC system that includes several components encased in a single housing that’s referred to as the High Voltage Battery (figure 2). These com- ponents operate together to provide the energy required to propel the vehicle. AGM Low Voltage Battery —
Provides power for the vehicle acces- sory system, and the modules to control the high voltage system (figure 3). The low voltage battery is located in the rear compartment, underneath the floorboard. Power Inverter Module (PIM)
— Located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, on top of the transmission (figure 4). The power inverter module converts the high volt- age direct current into 3-phase, alter- nating current, which it delivers to the motors inside the transmission for vehicle propulsion. Accessory Power Module (APM)
— Located in the rear compartment, underneath the floorboard. The acces-
6 Figure 3
sory power module (figure 5) converts high voltage DC into low voltage DC to power the vehicle accessories. High Voltage Battery Charger
— The high voltage battery charger (figure 6) converts household AC into DC to charge the onboard high-voltage battery.
1.4L Internal Combustion Engine
(ICE) — The 1.4L internal combustion engine (ICE) is there to extend vehicle range. When battery voltage gets low, the 1.4L internal combustion engine drives generator/drive-motor A, located in the transmission, recharging the bat- teries. Unlike a hybrid vehicle, the internal combustion engine can’t propel the vehicle; it’s only used to recharge the battery system. The MKA 4ET50 Transmission
— The MKA 4ET50 transmission, also known as the Voltec Electric Drive System, is a fully automatic, front- wheel drive, variable-speed, electroni- cally controlled transaxle (figure 7). The 4ET50 offers five different
operating ranges: • Park • Reverse • Neutral • Drive • Low
The 4ET50 provides seven differ-
ent modes of operation: • Electric Only/Engine Off (EV) • Electric Only/Combined Engine Off (EV)
• Electric Only/Engine On or Extended Range
GEARS January/February 2012 Figure 2
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