1709results about "Coupling combinations" patented technology

A hydraulic system controls the flow of fluid to and from several functions on a machine. Each function has a valve assembly through which fluid is supplied under pressure from a source to an actuator and through which fluid returns from the actuator to a shared return line connected by a return line metering valve to the system tank. There are several regeneration modes of operation in which fluid exhausted from one port is supplied into the other port of the same actuator, which eliminates or reduces the amount of hydraulic fluid that must be supplied from the source. In some regeneration modes, input fluid for an actuator is obtained from another hydraulic function via the shared return line. In these regeneration modes an electronic controller operates the return line metering valve to restrict fluid from flowing into the tank from the shared return line, so that the fluid will be available to be supplied into an actuator port.

A wind turbine system for producing compressed air from wind energy. The wind turbine harvests energy from wind to produce mechanical energy. A compressor receives mechanical energy from the wind turbine to compress air to an elevated pressure. Thermal energy may be removed from the air, and the air is stored in a storage devices, such that the air may be released from the storage device on demand.

A bi-directional overrunning clutch is disclosed for controlling torque transmission between a secondary drive shaft and secondary driven shafts. The overrunning clutch includes a pinion input shaft in a differential housing that engages with a clutch housing rotatably disposed within the differential housing. At least one race is located adjacent to the clutch housing and is engaged with an output shaft. A cage is located between the race and the clutch housing. The cage is movable with respect to the clutch housing. A <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00001" / >first<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00001" / > coil is mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the cage and is adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which causes the cage to drag with respect to the clutch housing. The dragging of the cage with respect to the clutch housing positions <INS-S DATE="20030304" ID="INS-S-00001" / >rolls within <INS-E ID="INS-S-00001" / >the cage to engage the clutch housing with the race when wheels on a primary drive shaft lose traction. <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00002" / >A<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00002" / > <INS-S DATE="20030304" ID="INS-S-00002" / >If desired a <INS-E ID="INS-S-00002" / >second coil <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00003" / >is<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00003" / > <INS-S DATE="20030304" ID="INS-S-00003" / >may be <INS-E ID="INS-S-00003" / >mounted within the differential housing adjacent <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00004" / >adjacent<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00004" / > to the cage. The second coil is adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which advances cage with respect to the clutch housing causing the clutch housing to engage with the races. When the second coil is activated, the output shaft drives the pinion input shaft producing engine braking. An electronic control system is utilized to control the energizing of the coils.

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.

An electronic transmission control system is provided that can achieve a transmission ratio based on the operator inputs and the current vehicle operating conditions. The transmission constantly connects the engine to the load, and the transmission ratio is only varied by a change in command from the present invention. The transmission's mechanical function is solely to vary the ratio between its input and output. In using the present invention, an operator must select an operating mode, either automatic or manual, using a two-position switch. While in the automatic mode, the present invention determines the vehicle speed by considering the position of the throttle and the operator's use of brakes. In the manual mode, the present invention further considers the operator's selection of a gear condition.

A ground engaging vehicle including a movable member, a hydraulically driven actuator, a hydraulic pump, a plurality of valves and at least one hydraulic conduit. The hydraulically driven actuator is coupled to the movable member and the actuator has a first chamber and a second chamber. The plurality of non-proportional valves include a first valve, a second valve, a third valve and a fourth valve. The at least one hydraulic conduit couples the pump with the first valve and the second valve. The first valve is in direct fluid communication with the first chamber. The second valve is in direct fluid communication with the second chamber. The third valve is in direct fluid communication with the first chamber and the fourth valve is in direct fluid communication with the second chamber. The first valve and the second valve each include an open position and a closed position.

The invention relates to a force transmission device for power transmission between an input and an output, comprising at least an input and an output, and a vibration damping device disposed in a cavity that can be filled at least partially with an operating medium, in particular oil, the vibration damping device coupled with a rotational speed adaptive absorber, wherein the rotational speed adaptive absorber is tuned as a function of an oil influence to an effective order qeff, which is greater by an order shift value qF than an order q of an exciting vibration of a drive system.

The invention relates to a vehicle hydraulic brake system with electrohydraulic brake boosting by a piston pump. In order to reduce pressure pulsations on an intake side of the multi-piston pump, the brake system embodies a multi-piston pump, for example, as a six-piston pump with stepped pistons that are driven with an alternating phase shift of 30° and 90° in relation to one another. The phase shift of the drive of the stepped pistons is selected so that the intake volume flows have a uniform phase shift, by which the total intake volume flow of the multi-piston pump has a reduced amplitude of the pressure pulsation, which reduces the repercussions on a master cylinder.

An electrically driven brake booster (1) includes an input member (4) disposed in operative association with a brake pedal (12), an output member (5) disposed in operative association with the master cylinder (6), and drive transmitting device (10) for translating a rotating motion of a motor (9) into a linear motion to be transmitted to the output member (5). The drive transmitting device (10) comprises a rack (23) formed on the output member (5), and pinions (21, 22) disposed in operative association with the motor (9) and in meshing engagement with the rack (23). Also, reaction transmitting device (8) which transmits a brake reaction to the input member (4) and the output member (5) at a given proportion is provided. In comparison to conventional drive transmitting device, the drive transmitting device (10) of the present invention has a simple construction, a reduced weight and a better transmission efficiency. The provision of reaction transmitting device allows a correct brake control to be achieved on the basis of a brake reaction.

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 method and apparatus for renewable power generation utilizes the chemical potential dissimilarity between solutions of differing ionic formulations. A train is formed by a sequentially ordered set of a plurality of cells in which each successive cell is related to the preceding cell. Each cell has pumping means and hydro-power generation turbine means to form a closed hydraulic loop configured for specified volumetric and flow capacity. Adjacent cells share semipermeable membranes. Each cell is charged with a brine of specified ionizable inorganic salt quantity and type with the brine being cycled in a controlled concentration-pressure loop, with each of the cells operating at progressively increasing concentration and osmotic pressure ratio. A continuous and constant flow rate of substantially salt-free permeate flux is maintained across each cell, the flux being osmotically induced from low salt concentration water being fed at the first cell in the train and exiting at the last cell along with the discarded high concentration water brine. The salt-free permeate flux is continuously induced, in symbiotic mode, through the shared membranes, driven by the chemical influence of concentration potential field bounded by water of low to no salt concentration on one end of the train and by brine of high salt concentration on the other end of the train with sufficient concentration difference to provide driving force for said plurality of cells, while maintaining adequate concentration difference between adjacent cells to enhance osmosis function, as well as defining a concentration ratio within each cell to ensure a net positive power generation.

A speed change system for work vehicle having a continuously variable transmission device selects a first change gear ratio which is set larger than a smallest change gear ratio, when an engine rotational speed is a first set rotational speed which is set equal or close to an idling rotational speed of an engine; retains the change gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission device at the smallest change gear ratio, when the engine rotational speed is equal to or above a second set rotational speed set on a high-speed side relative to the first set rotational speed; and makes the change gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission device larger between the first change gear ratio and the smallest change gear ratio, as the engine rotational speed at that moment becomes lower, when the engine rotational speed is between the first and second set rotational speeds.

A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine is provided with at least one rotatable shaft and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by a corresponding shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by a corresponding shaft, an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel. An interstage duct fluidly interconnects in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel with the second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel. At least one bypass duct is provided, with each bypass duct fluidly interconnecting the first outlet with the first inlet; the first outlet with an ambient environment; and / or the second outlet with the first outlet. At least one valve is provided, each valve being positioned within a corresponding bypass duct. A controller is coupled with each valve and selectively actuates each valve.

A hydraulic pressurizer system 30 comprises a drive source (an engine 2 and a motor generator 4), which drives a hybrid vehicle 1, a mechanical oil pump 20, which is driven by the drive source, an electrical motor 22, which is activated by a 12V battery 24, an electrical oil pump 21, which is driven by the electrical motor 22, and a control unit 15, which activates the electrical motor 22. The pressurizer further comprises a ratio-change mechanism 7, which is activated by hydraulic oil supplied by the mechanical oil pump 20 and by the electrical oil pump 21 to establish a speed change ratio, at which the rotational driving force of the drive source is transmitted to wheels 8 with a rotational speed change. The control unit 15 memorizes a characteristic value CV, which is specified from the temperature of the hydraulic oil and from the rotational speed of the electrical motor 22, and a threshold value NTH2 for the rotational speed Np of the electrical motor 22, which threshold value corresponds to the characteristic value CV. While the control unit 15 is executing a so-called idling-stop control, it cancels the idling-stop control if the rotational speed Np of the electrical motor 22 reaches the threshold value NTH2.

A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and / or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and / or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and / or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and / or specially configured and / or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and / or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and / or the material(s) of the piston.

A pneumatic motor having a piston and a magnetically actuated valve. The magnetically actuated valve may be adjacent the piston and, in some embodiments, include a spool valve.

A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system includes an actuator including a first, a second, and a third fluid chamber. The hydraulic system also includes a high pressure source of pressurized fluid in selective fluid communication with the first and second fluid chambers. The hydraulic system also includes a low pressure source of pressurized fluid in selective fluid communication with the first and second fluid chambers. The hydraulic system further includes a hydraulic motor in fluid communication with the third fluid chamber.

The invention relates to a force transmission device for power transmission between an input and an output, comprising at least an input and an output, and a vibration damping device disposed in a cavity that can be filled at least partially with an operating medium, in particular oil, the vibration damping device coupled with a rotational speed adaptive absorber, wherein the rotational speed adaptive absorber is tuned as a function of an oil influence to an effective order qeff, which is greater by an order shift value qF than an order q of an exciting vibration of a drive system.

An apparatus for osmotic power generation and desalination of seawater using a salinity difference is provided.The apparatus for osmotic power generation and desalination using a salinity difference includes: a first osmotic membrane reactor having a first salt water position space and a third salt water position space separated by a first forward osmotic membrane; a second osmotic membrane reactor having a second salt water position space and a draw solution position space separated by a second forward osmotic membrane; a high pressure pump connected between the second salt water position space and the third salt water position space and supplying salt water which has passed through the second salt water position space to the third salt water position space and pressurizing salt water, which has passed through the second salt water position space, to supply it to the third salt water position space such that pressure retarded osmosis can be made in the first osmotic membrane reactor; a desalination unit obtaining fresh water by separating a draw solute from a draw solution diluted through a transmission of water in salt water of the second salt water position space by way of the draw solution position space; and a turbine driven by flow force of salt water discharged from the third salt water position space to produce electric energy.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic pressurization system, in particular for application to pressurization devices operating in accordance with the high hydrostatic pressure principle. In particular, the present invention provides a pressurization system for modifying the pressure in a pressurization device. The system comprising a first hydraulic circuit in which one or more primary pressure accumulators are connected to the pressurization device in controlled manner in order to permit a substantially incompressible fluid to be admitted to and removed from the pressurization device at a first pressure, the primary pressure accumulators being precompressed-gas pressure accumulators.

A hydrostatic driveline for a vehicle, a method for minimizing a fuel consumption rate of the vehicle, and a method for tracking an optimal state of charge function for a hydrostatic accumulator are provided. The driveline includes a power source, a drive axle, a first fluid accumulator, a second fluid accumulator, an auxiliary circuit including a first pump drivingly engaged with the power source, and a drive circuit including a second pump drivingly engaged with the power source, a motor drivingly engaged with the drive axle, and a directional valve. The second pump is in fluid communication with the directional valve and the directional valve in fluid communication with the first fluid accumulator and the second fluid accumulator. The directional valve may be selectively controlled to direct fluid from the second pump and the motor to the first fluid accumulator and the second fluid accumulator.

An electric power booster (12) where driver command is monitored by a transducer (38) on an input rod (34). This signal is converted to the appropriate voltage / current and operates an electric motor (42). The motor output shaft (68) is connected to a planetary gear reducer (72) appropriately sized to provide no more than + / −1 / 4 turn of an eccentric cam (14). Two master cylinders (16, 18) power piston rods (22, 24) ride diametrically opposed on the cam surface (20). As the cam rotates the piston rods are forced out pressurizing the respective hydraulic circuits and thereby providing fluid to each brake circuit (28, 30). In the event of power failure as well as to augment the output of the motor, the input rod is mechanically linked directly to the cam offset from the center allowing the driver to manually rotate the cam thereby pressurizing the brake circuits.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for power generation including a method and system for electrical power generation by utilizing forces due to vehicle weights from traffic on roadways. An embodiment of the invention uses multiple compressible hydraulic cylinders of different types, the cylinders used being dynamically selected responsive to the various weights of the vehicles presenting.

A master cylinder for a hydraulic disc brake includes a housing defining a cylinder, the cylinder having a first and second end along its axis. A piston is received in the cylinder and has a radial seal between the piston and the cylinder. A lever is pivotably associated with the housing for pivoting between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the housing. A push rod is operatively associated with the piston and the lever to move the piston axially within the cylinder as the lever is actuated between the rest and actuated positions. A threaded engagement between a first end of the push rod and the lever is configured to cause movement of the rest position of the lever relative to the housing when a rotating force is applied to the push rod causing axial rotation of the push rod. An indexing structure is operatively associated with the push rod for providing index axial rotation of the push rod upon application of the rotating force to the push rod causing axial rotation of the push rod.

In a hydraulic machine, hydraulic pump failure is detected and the pump lifespan is estimated before the pump failure occurs. The discharge pressure 122, oil temperature 126, and drain filter differential pressure 120 are measured, a correlative relationship 128 between the filter differential pressure and the discharge pressure is determined, and a representative filter differential pressure 130 is calculated from this correlative relationship. Using an oil temperature-differential pressure correlation function, the representative differential pressure value 130 is corrected so that the variable component 132 caused by the oil temperature 126 is eliminated therefrom. The long-term trend and the short-term trend of the increase over time of the corrected differential pressure is calculated. A pump failure is predicted or the pump lifespan is estimated based on the degree of deviation between the long-term trend and the short-term trend.

An electro-hydraulic system for operating a cooling fan and providing hydraulic fluid to a power steering system of the vehicle includes a hydraulic pump unit including first and second fixed displacement pumps and a common drive shaft for these pumps. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is connected to the inlet of each of the pumps. A priority valve is operatively connected to the outlet of the first pump and has an outlet connectible to the power steering system. This valve also has a second outlet connectible to a hydraulic motor for the cooling fan. This valve is arranged to provide a constant flow of hydraulic fluid to the power steering system. A hydraulic line connects an outlet of the second pump to the hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid flow through this line is combined with hydraulic fluid flow from the first pump to drive the motor. An electro-hydraulic proportional control valve has an inlet connected to the aforementioned line and an outlet connectible to the reservoir inlet and this control valve controls and limits the rotational speed of the motor. An electronic control device electrically operates and controls the control valve during use of the system.

An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.

The invention relates to an electromechanical brake booster for a master brake cylinder of a hydraulic vehicle braking system. The invention provides to configure the brake booster such that it preferably includes a switchable freewheel, which enables an actuation of the master brake cylinder without any movement of the electric motor of the brake booster. The invention further provides to configure the brake booster such that it includes a mechanical gear having a variable transmission ratio, which has a high path transmission at the beginning of an actuation of the master brake cylinder, and a force transmission that rises with increasing actuation. A variable gear ratio is possible using a rack and pinion gear, the toothed rack of which has a soothing with a pitch that changes across the length of the toothed rack. A further possibility of a mechanical gear having a variable ratio is a toggle lever mechanism.