Regenerative system including an energy transformer which requires no external power source to drive same
First Claim
1. A regenerative system for controlling the transmission of vibrational energy between a first member and a second member which undergo relative vibratory motion, said regenerative system operating without an auxiliary power source for actively providing assisting forces and comprising:
- a) an energy transformer for converting kinetic energy from said relative vibratory motion between said first and said second members to energy in storable form and for utilizing said energy in storable form for performing useful work between said first member and said second member by controlling transmission of vibrational energy between said members;
b) an energy storage element for storing said energy in storable form from said energy transformer;
c) a sensor associated with said system for providing a signal indicative of a force condition of said regenerative system;
d) an energy management element interconnected between said energy transformer and said energy storage element for channeling said energy in storable form converted by said energy transformer to and from said storage element; and
e) a controller responsive to said sensor for controlling said channeling of said energy in storable form to and from said energy storage element such that said energy in storable form is stored and released to provide assisting forces in response to said relative vibratory motion without the need for an auxiliary power source for actively driving said energy transformer for providing assisting forces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-active regenerative system (20) which regenerates energy by taking energy from relative motion of members (22) and (24) and using it later to accomplish overall improved performance and eliminates the need for an active source to provide assisting forces. The non-active regenerative system (20) includes an energy transformer element (26) interconnecting a first member (22) and second member (24) which converts relative motion to an energy in storable form, and an energy management element (30) which channels the flow of energy to and from an energy storage element (32) to produce assisting forces. The energy management element (30)is commanded by a controller (36) which is responsive sensors (34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d) which provide signals indicative of the system condition. Power is supplied to the energy management (30), sensors (34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d), and controller (36), only if required, by power source (40). However, no active power source is needed to drive the transformer element (26). Embodiments of the non-active regenerative system (20) include non-active actuators and controllable mounts. Further, pulse width modulation of the energy management element (30) may be provided to reduce the system losses associated with tracking a desired force as dictated by a control algorithm.
174 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A regenerative system for controlling the transmission of vibrational energy between a first member and a second member which undergo relative vibratory motion, said regenerative system operating without an auxiliary power source for actively providing assisting forces and comprising:
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a) an energy transformer for converting kinetic energy from said relative vibratory motion between said first and said second members to energy in storable form and for utilizing said energy in storable form for performing useful work between said first member and said second member by controlling transmission of vibrational energy between said members; b) an energy storage element for storing said energy in storable form from said energy transformer; c) a sensor associated with said system for providing a signal indicative of a force condition of said regenerative system; d) an energy management element interconnected between said energy transformer and said energy storage element for channeling said energy in storable form converted by said energy transformer to and from said storage element; and e) a controller responsive to said sensor for controlling said channeling of said energy in storable form to and from said energy storage element such that said energy in storable form is stored and released to provide assisting forces in response to said relative vibratory motion without the need for an auxiliary power source for actively driving said energy transformer for providing assisting forces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A controllable mount for interconnecting a first member and a second member which undergo relative motion, said controllable mount operating without an auxiliary power source for actively providing assisting forces and comprising:
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a) an energy transformer associated with said controllable mount for transforming kinetic energy from said relative vibratory motion between said first and said second member to an energy in storable form and for releasing said energy in storable form for performing useful work between said first member and said second member to reduce said relative motion; b) a spring mounted in parallel spring relation to said energy transformer which functions to support static loads and provide axial, radial, and cocking stiffnesses; c) an energy storage element for receiving said energy in storable form from said energy transformer; d) a sensor associated with said controllable mount for providing a signal indicative of a force condition of said system; e) an energy management element interconnected between said energy transformer and said energy storage element for channeling said energy in storable form to and from said storage element; and f) a controller responsive said sensor for controlling said channeling of said energy in said storable form to and from said energy storage element such that said energy in said storable form is stored at a first point in time and released during a later point in time without an auxiliary power source for actively driving said energy transformer for providing assisting forces. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A regenerative actuator for interconnecting a first member and a second member which undergo relative motion, said regenerative actuator operating without an auxiliary power source for actively providing assisting and comprising:
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a) an energy transformer including a piston slidably received within an cylinder thus forming two opposed fluid chambers, said energy transformer capable of transforming kinetic energy from said relative motion within a cycle between said first and said second members to a fluid pressure which is an energy in storable form, and for later, within said same cycle, utilizing said energy in storable form for doing useful work to reduce said relative motion; b) an energy storage element including an accumulator for storing said energy in storable form captured by said energy transformer; c) a sensor for sensing a force condition of said regenerative actuator; d) an energy management element including a network of valves for channeling said energy in storable form to and from said energy storage element; and e) a controller responsive to said sensor for controlling said network of valves such that said channeling of said energy in storable form to and from said energy storage element is controlled such that energy is stored during one portion of the operating cycle and energy is released during a later portion of said operating cycle to provide assisting forces without an auxiliary power source for driving said energy transformer for actively providing assisting forces. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification