Pressure oil energy recover/regenation apparatus

• US 6,460,332 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1999
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Maruta, Kazuhiro, Yoshida, Nobumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryznic, John E.
• Application Number:
  US09/432,163
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 604/13, 604/14, 609/11, 604/31, 604/77, 604/79, 604/84
• US Class Current: 60/414
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/12 by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2217 with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/16 with two or more servomotors
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/14 Energy-recuperation means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20515 Electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20523 Internal combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20546 variable capacity
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20561 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20569 capable of working as pump and motor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20576 with multiple pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/212 the pressure sources being accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/216 the pressure sources being pneumatic-to-hydraulic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/27 Directional control by means of the pressure source
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/40515 with variable throttles or orifices
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/45 Control of bleed-off flow, e.g. control of bypass flow to the return line
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/473 without restriction in the reverse direction
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/71 : Multiple output members, e.g. multiple hydraulic motors or cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/88 : Control measures for saving energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A pressure oil energy recovery apparatus or pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus that does not require much room and can be mounted within a narrow space, capable of broadening the range of applications for recovered energy. A hydraulic pump motor is actuated by the inflow of the return pressure oil flowing out of a hydraulic actuator. The drive force of the hydraulic pump motor is input to allow an electric motor to generate electric energy. The electric energy generated by the electric motor is stored in a battery. When the energy of pressure oil is regenerated, the energy expended during the actuation of the hydraulic actuator by the hydraulic pump is supplemented with the electric energy stored in the battery.

Claims

1. A pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus, comprising hydraulic actuators actuated by the supply or pressure oil discharged from a hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators, main drive means for driving the hydraulic pump, recovery means for recovering return pressure oil flowing out of said hydraulic actuators, energy storage means for storing said recovered return pressure oil by conversion to a prescribed energy form, and regeneration means for supplementing an energy expended during the actuation of said hydraulic actuators by said hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators with the energy stored in said energy storage means, wherein

said energy storage means comprises:

a hydraulic motor used for recovery purposes and actuated by the inflow of the return pressure oil flowing out of said hydraulic actuators, said hydraulic motor being a separate device from the hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators,

an electric generator for generating electric energy by receiving a drive force of said hydraulic motor used for recovery purposes, said electric generator being a separate device from said hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators, and

a battery for storing the electric energy generated by said electric generator, said battery being a separate device from the main drive means, and

said regeneration means comprises;

supplemental drive means for driving the hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators by the electric energy stored in said battery said supplemental drive means being a separate device from the main drive means.

2. The pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental drive means comprises a supplemental electric motor driven by the supply of the stored electric energy.

3. The pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental drive means comprises a supplemental hydraulic motor driven by the inflow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic motor, when the electric generator acts as an electric motor by the supply of the stored electric energy and the hydraulic motor acts as a pump.

4. A pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus, comprising a plurality of hydraulic actuators actuated by the supply of pressure oil discharged from a hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators, main drive means for driving said hydraulic pump, recovery means for recovering return pressure oil flowing out of said plurality of hydraulic actuators, energy storage means for storing said recovered return pressure oil by conversion to a prescribed energy form, and regeneration means for supplementing an energy expended during the actuation of said plurality of hydraulic actuators by said hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators with the energy stored in said energy storage means, wherein

said recovery means comprises:

selection means for recovering the return pressure oil by selecting from said plurality of hydraulic actuators a hydraulic actuator to be used for the recovery of the return pressure oil;

said energy storage means comprises;

a hydraulic motor used for recovery purposes and actuated by the inflow of the return pressure oil flowing out of the hydraulic actuator selected by said selection means, said hydraulic motor being a separate device from the hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators,

an electric generator for generating electric energy by receiving a drive force of said hydraulic motor used for recovery purposes, said electric generator being a separate device from the hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators, and

a battery for storing the electric energy generated by said electric generator, said battery being a separate device from said main drive means; and

said generation means comprises;

supplemental drive means for driving the hydraulic pump for driving hydraulic actuators by the electric energy stored in said battery, said supplemental drive means being a separate device from the main drive means.

5. The pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said supplemental drive means comprises a supplemental electric motor which is driven by the supply of stored electric energy.

6. The pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said supplemental drive means comprises a supplemental hydraulic motor driven by the inflow of the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic motor, when the electric generator acts as an electric motor by the supply of the stored electric energy and the hydraulic motor acts as a pump.

7. A pressure oil energy recovery/regeneration apparatus, comprising hydraulic actuators actuated by the supply of pressure oil discharged from a hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators, recovery means for recovering return pressure oil flowing out of said hydraulic actuators, energy storage means for storing said recovered return pressure oil by conversion to a prescribed energy form, and regeneration means for supplementing an energy expended during the actuation of aid hydraulic actuators by said hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators with the energy stored in said energy storage means, said regeneration means being a separate device from the energy storage means, wherein

said energy storage means comprises:

a hydraulic motor used for recovery purposes and actuated by the inflow of the return pressure oil flowing out of said hydraulic actuators, said hydraulic motor being a separate device from the hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators,

and electric generator for generating electric energy by receiving a drive force of said hydraulic motor used for recovery purposes, and

a battery for storing the electric energy generated by said electric generator; and

said regeneration means comprises;

an electric motor actuated by receiving the electric energy stored in said battery, and

a regeneration hydraulic pump used for regeneration purposes, designed to enhance the energy expended during the actuation of said hydraulic actuators by said hydraulic pump for actuating hydraulic actuators, and actuated by receiving a drive force of said electric motor.