1906results about "Accumulator installations" patented technology

Accumulators/compensators for pressurized fluent material systems are provided, in which a continuous substantially non-permeable, flexible membrane (like a bellows) surrounds or is surrounded by a non-gaseous support medium, all within a surrounding housing. Various combinations of support media, which may include internal gas-filled cavities, are described and illustrated.

A hybrid machine with a hydraulic drive device having hydraulic actuators allowed to operate against and by external loads is provided. To this end, the hybrid machine comprises hydraulic cylinders (7), first hydraulic pumps (P1) connected, with closed circuits, to head side pressure receiving chambers (7S) and bottom side pressure receiving chambers (7L) of the hydraulic cylinders (7), and second hydraulic pumps (P2) connected, with open circuits, to the bottom side pressure receiving chambers (7L) and an external oil chamber (10), wherein the first and second hydraulic pumps (P1, P2) are connected to electric motors (M) so as to be driven.

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

A system and method to diagnose the operational health of a hydraulic accumulator are provided. The system can include a hydraulic accumulator selectively coupled to a hydraulic actuator, such as a swing motor. The accumulator can be charged by movement of the actuator. A pressure sensor can be associated with the accumulator to determine an accumulator pressure. A controller can be connected to the pressure sensor. The controller can determine a charge curve based on a relationship between an actuator operational parameter associated with the actuator movement and the accumulator pressure. The controller can compare the charge curve to a previously defined charge curve or range to determine an error between the charge curve and the previously defined charge curve or range. The degree of the error can be associated with the operational health of the accumulator, and if too large, the operator may be notified of the status.

A work vehicle having a hydrostatic drive system provides for the recovery and reuse of the vehicle's kinetic energy by conducting pressurized hydraulic fluid out of the hydrostatic drive system into an accumulator during vehicle deceleration, and conducting the pressurized fluid back into the drive system during vehicle acceleration to assist the vehicle's engine in accelerating the vehicle.

The present invention is directed to a system for controlling a hydraulic actuator, and various methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the system comprises a first hydraulic cylinder, an isolated supply of fluid provided to the first hydraulic cylinder, the isolated supply of fluid positioned in an environment that is at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure, an actuator device coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder, the actuator device adapted to drive the first hydraulic cylinder to create the sufficient pressure in the fluid, and at least one hydraulic line operatively intermediate the first hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic line supplying the sufficient pressure in the fluid to the hydraulic actuator in the remote locale.

Generally, the invention relates to power generation and energy storage. In particular, to systems and methods for providing constant power from hydraulic inputs having widely-varying pressures. More particularly, the invention relates to hydraulic-pneumatic energy storage and recovery systems that include either a fixed or variable displacement hydraulic motor and control systems that allow a user to maintain constant power from the fixed or variable displacement hydraulic motor.

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

A cylinder assembly is disclosed. The cylinder assembly may include a cylinder body having an internal cavity therein and a piston and rod assembly disposed for axial movement within the internal cavity of the cylinder body. The piston and rod assembly may have an axial passage extending therein. The cylinder assembly may further include a tubular element received within the axial passage of the piston and rod assembly. At least a portion of the tubular element may extend out of the axial passage and into the internal cavity of the cylinder body between the axial passage and a wall of the cylinder body.

A hydraulic drive system for an actuator uses a pair of pressure compensated hydraulic machines to control flow to and from the drive chambers of the actuator by varying the controlled pressure of one of the machines. The machines are mechanically coupled to permit energy recovery and charge an accumulator to store supplies energy. The drive system may be combined with other services including a transmission for incorporation in a vehicle. The transmission uses a pressure compensated supply and torque control of the wheels.

A dialysis machine valve manifold assembly includes a plurality of pneumatic valves; a plate including a first side and a second side, the plurality of pneumatic valves mounted to the first side of the plate, the second side of the plate defining a plurality of pneumatic flow paths; and a port header mounted removably to the plate, the port header including a plurality of ports configured to connect sealingly to pneumatic tubing, the ports in fluid communication with the pneumatic valves via the pneumatic flow paths defined in the plate.

Hydraulic circuits used to manipulate tools in, for example construction equipment, uses less power for a retraction of a hydraulic cylinder than for an extension of that cylinder. Provided is a hydraulic circuit that uses the stored energy from the low energy phase to lower the energy load on the hydraulic pump during the high energy phase. Energy from the hydraulic pump is increased during the low energy phase to increase the amount of stored hydraulic energy. The increased amount of stored energy is then used to intensify or add to the energy generated by the hydraulic pump for the high energy phase.

A lightweight carbon fiber air/gas supply vessel storing high pressure air/gas. The air/gas supply vessel output is controlled by an adjustable pressure reduction valve which varies output pressure from very high to low pressure levels. An alternative multi-valve system uses a first pressure reduction valve to reduce output pressure from the very high levels in the air/gas supply vessel to an intermediate pressure level, and a second pressure reduction valve that reduces the air/gas pressure from the intermediate level to a fine tunable low pressure level. In both embodiments, the output of the last pressure reduction valve used is connected to a high pressure cable which in turn uses a standard universal fitting which can be coupled to most pneumatically powered equipment. Additional high pressure reservoir vessels can be used to replenish the lightweight air/gas supply vessel when its supply of air/gas is depleted.

A dual mode hydraulic actuator, comprising: a housing; a rod secured to a piston, the rod and piston being slidably received within the housing; a first chamber positioned on one side of the piston; a second chamber positioned on another side of the piston; a sealed reservoir; a fluid disposed in the first chamber, the second chamber and the reservoir; a bidirectional pump for moving the fluid between the first chamber, the second chamber and the sealed reservoir; a bi-mode control valve for providing selective fluid communication between the first chamber, the second chamber and the sealed reservoir, wherein the bi-mode control valve is spring biased into a neutral position wherein fluid communication between the first chamber, the second chamber and the sealed reservoir is prevented; and wherein the bi-mode control valve is capable of being manually manipulated into a manual mode position wherein fluid flow from the first chamber to the second chamber is provided and fluid flow from or to the sealed reservoir is also provided, the fluid flow from or to the sealed reservoir being dependant upon a volume of fluid in the first chamber and the second chamber.

A hydraulic actuator, comprising: a housing; a rod secured to a piston, the rod and piston being slidably received within the housing, wherein the rod along with the piston is capable of movement between a first position and a second position; a first chamber positioned on one side of the piston and within the housing; a second chamber positioned on another side of the piston and within the housing; a self contained flexible volume compensator disposed within the housing; a fluid disposed in the first chamber, the second chamber and the self contained flexible volume compensator, wherein the fluid in the self contained flexible volume compensator is pressurized to a predetermined pressure level; a bidirectional pump for moving the fluid between the first chamber, the second chamber and the self contained flexible volume compensator; a valve system disposed in the housing and for providing selective fluid communication between the first chamber, the second chamber and the self contained flexible volume compensator as the rod moves in a range of movement defined by the first position and the second position, wherein the valve system isolates the first chamber from the self contained flexible volume compensator and the second chamber when a fluid pressure in at least one of the first chamber, the second chamber and the self contained flexible volume compensator is below a predetermined level; and wherein the pressurized fluid in the self contained flexible volume compensator is transferred from the self contained flexible volume compensator to the second chamber via the pump and fluid in the first chamber is transferred to pump from the first chamber when the rod is moved toward the second position and wherein fluid in the second chamber is transferred from second chamber to the self contained flexible volume compensator and the first chamber when the rod and piston are moved towards the first position.

A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working machines, the fluid system having a high-pressure side (3) and a low-pressure side (4) each connected to both said first and said second fluid working machines (1, 5), a fluid accumulator (7) on the high-pressure side, a means to admit fluid from the reservoir to the low-pressure side and a pressure control valve to maintain the correct pressure in the low-pressure side, wherein the second fluid working machine (5) includes chambers of variable volume having electronically controllable valves such that each of said chambers has pumping, motoring and idling modes of operation, and the second fluid working machine (5) is operable to both source fluid to and sink fluid from each of said high-pressure side (3) and said low-pressure side (4).