METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STORING AND REUSING HYDRAULIC ENERGY

• US 20160108933A1
• Filed: 12/29/2015
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Knussman, Michael L., Peterson, Jeremy T., Kuehn, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,677,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/024 used as a supplementary power source, e.g. to store energy in idle periods to balance pump load
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/027 having accumulator charging devices
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/14 Energy-recuperation means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20546 variable capacity
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/212 the pressure sources being accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3058 having additional valves for interconnecting the fluid chambers of a double-acting actuator, e.g. for regeneration mode or for floating mode directional control valves having a regenerative position F15B2211/3133; directional control valves having a floating position F15B2211/3127
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/41572 being connected to a pressure source and an output member
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/761 Control of a negative load, i.e. of a load generating hydraulic energy
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/88 Control measures for saving energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

A method for storing and reusing hydraulic energy in a machine is disclosed. The method includes transferring the hydraulic energy from an actuator to an upstream side of a motor pump via a first valve, during a normal mode. The method includes directing excess hydraulic energy from a downstream side of the motor pump to an accumulator by opening an accumulator valve and closing a bypass valve, during an energy saving mode. The method includes retrieving stored hydraulic energy from the accumulator to the upstream side of the motor pump by opening the accumulator valve, during an energy discharging mode.

Claims

1. A method for storing and reusing hydraulic energy in a machine, the method comprising:

during a normal mode, transferring the hydraulic energy from an actuator to an upstream side of a motor pump via a first valve;

during an energy saving mode, directing excess hydraulic energy from a downstream side of the motor pump to an accumulator by opening an accumulator valve and closing a bypass valve; and

during an energy discharging mode, retrieving stored hydraulic energy from the accumulator to the upstream side of the motor pump by opening the accumulator valve.