Energy recovery device

• US 5,477,677 A
• Filed: 08/26/1994
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hydac Technology Gmbh (HYDAC International GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Hydac Technology Gmbh (HYDAC International GmbH)
• Inventors: Krnavek, Frantisek
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG M
• Application Number:
  US08/244,536
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 60/413, 60/414, 60/417, 60/454, 60/420, 60/426, 60/428, 60/484, 60/483, 60/486, 91/511
• US Class Current: 60/414
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2217 with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/02 Installations or systems with accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/14 Energy-recuperation means

Abstract

A device for recovering energy, in particular potential energy in working machines, has a hydraulically actuatable working cylinder linked to a hydropneumatic storage. At least another working cylinder is provided. The two working cylinders are mutually linked by their rod end chambers to transfer fluid and are linked to a hydraulic circuit having at least one pump. The other working cylinder is also linked at its piston end chamber to a hydraulic circuit having a pump. The energy generated by the movements of the working machine can be effectively stored in a failure-proof manner and called back at defined moments in time.

Claims

1. A device for recovering energy, comprising:

a first hydraulically operable working cylinder having a first rod end chamber and a first piston end chamber;

a hydropneumatic storage attached to said first piston end chamber of said first piston through a first line;

a second hydraulically operable working cylinder having a second rod end chamber and a second piston end chamber;

fluid carrying means for connecting and linking said first and second rod end chambers, and for connecting said second piston end chamber of said second cylinder to a hydraulic circuit with a pump;

a cartridge valve coupling said storage to said first piston end chamber; and

control means having a control distributor connected to a pressure relay, and having a control input attached to a low pressure branch means for cooperating with movable parts of a working machine, said control distributor being connected to said cartridge valve.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein

a first switching means is between said first piston end chamber and said storage.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein

a reverse switching means is between said first piston end chamber and said storage, said reverse switching means having a reservoir connection.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein

a reverse switching means is between said first piston end chamber and said storage, said reverse switching means having a reservoir connection.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein

said first switching means and said reverse switching means are connected in series between said storage and said first piston end chamber.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein

a fluid-carrying conduit couples said first piston end chamber with said second piston end chamber, said fluid-carrying conduit having a first return valve therein.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein

a throttle element is connected in said fluid-carrying conduit in series with said first nonreturn valve;

a branch line is connected to said first line between said storage and said first piston end chamber and has a second nonreturn line therein, said branch line being connected to a liquid reservoir through a third nonreturn valve.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein

said control distributor comprises a reservoir connection and a feed line connection;

a two-way valve is connected between said reservoir connection and said first piston end chamber, and comprises an output connected to said feed line connection; and

said reservoir connection is connected to said first and second rod end chambers by a conduit line crossed by a hydraulic adjusting cylinder.

9. A device for recovering energy, comprising:

a first hydraulically operable working cylinder having a first rod end chamber and a first piston end chamber;

a hydropneumatic storage attached to said first piston end chamber of said first piston through a first line;

a second hydraulically operable working cylinder having a second rod end chamber and a second piston end chamber;

fluid carrying means for connecting and linking said first and second rod end chambers, and for connecting said second piston end chamber of said second cylinder to a hydraulic circuit with a pump;

a first switching means between said first piston end chamber and said storage; and

a reverse switching means between said first piston end chamber and said storage, said reverse switching means having a reservoir connection.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein

said first switching means and said reverse switching means are connected in series between said storage and said first piston end chamber.

11. A device according to claim 9 wherein

a fluid-carrying conduit couples said first piston end chamber with said second piston end chamber, said fluid-carrying conduit having a first return valve therein.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein

a throttle element is connected in said fluid-carrying conduit in series with said first nonreturn valve;

a branch line is connected to said first line between said storage and said first piston end chamber and has a second nonreturn line therein, said branch line being connected to a liquid reservoir through a third nonreturn valve.

13. A device according to claim 9 wherein

a cartridge valve couples said storage to said first piston end chamber;

control means, having a control distributor connected to a pressure relay and having a control input, is attached to a low pressure branch means for cooperating with movable parts of a working machine, said control distributor being connected to said cartridge valve;

said control distributor comprises a reservoir connection and a feed line connection;

a two-way valve is connected between said reservoir connection and said first piston end chamber, and comprises an output connected to said feed line connection; and

said reservoir connection is connected to said first and second rod end chambers by a conduit line crossed by a hydraulic adjusting cylinder.