Capacitor-equipped working machine

• US 6,635,973 B1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Company Limited (Kobe Steel Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Company Limited (Kobe Steel Limited)
• Inventors: Kagoshima, Masayuki, Kinugawa, Hideki, Komiyama, Masayuki, Araya, Hirokazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeBeradubus, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/700,730
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/48, 307/82, 307/75, 307/59, 320/116, 320/127, 320/128, 320/134-140, 318/139, 374/43, 373/48, 374/66, 379/05
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2091 Control of energy storage means for electrical energy, e.g. battery or capacitors energy recovery arrangements in hydraulic or pneumatic drives E02F9/2217

Abstract

A working machine, such as an excavator, provided with a condenser, capable of satisfying condensing conditions required for various works, while minimizing the condensers and maintaining a light-weight. The working machine includes a generator and at a an electrically-operated actuator for generating power for operating a work member by electric power generated by the generator. Further, as for charging-discharging electric power, a plurality of kinds of condensers are provided, and the condensers used are selectively switched according to power required, work contents, or the like.

Claims

1. A working machine comprising a generator, and electrically-operated actuators for generating power for operating work members by electric power generated by said generator, said working machine comprising a plurality of capacitors for carrying out charging of electric power generated by said generator and supplying of electric power to said electrically-operated actuators, and switching means for selectively switching a capacitor used out of said plurality of capacitors.

2. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 1, wherein said capacitors include a first capacitor, and a second capacitor whose output per unit weight is higher than said first capacitor and stored energy per unit weight is lower than said first capacitor.

3. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 2, comprising an operating member for operating said electrically-operated actuators, work discrimination means for discriminating work contents from the operating state of said operating member, and switching control means for controlling switching of capacitors used according to the work contents discriminated.

4. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 2, comprising a selective switch for receiving switching operation, switching of capacitors used being carried out corresponding to operation of said selective switch.

5. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 1, comprising power detection means for detecting total necessary power of said electrically-operated actuators, and switching control means for controlling switching of the capacitor used on the basis of the detected total necessary power.

6. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 5, wherein said capacitors include a first capacitor, and a second capacitor whose output per unit weight is higher than said first capacitor, and stored energy per unit weight is lower than said first capacitor, and said switching control means is constituted such that where the detected total necessary power is within a preset power range, said first capacitor is selected and where the detected total necessary power is larger than said power range or smaller than said power range, said second capacitor is selected.

7. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 1, comprising an operating member for operating said electrically-operated actuators, work discrimination means for discriminating work contents from the operating state of said operating member, and switching control means for controlling switching of capacitors used according to the work contents discriminated.

8. The working machine provided with capacitors according to claim 1, comprising a selective switch for receiving switching operation, switching of capacitors used being carried out corresponding to operation of said selective switch.