System and method for providing a launch assist system

• US 7,654,354 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gemini IP Technologies LLC (IPNav)
• Original Assignee: Gemini IP Technologies LLC (IPNav)
• Inventors: Otterstrom, Gary G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSZEWSKI, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/530,151
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 180/165, 180/305, 180/307
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/12 by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/4096 with pressure accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A system, method and computer readable media are disclosed for providing a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The system includes at least one accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid and may also include a flywheel or other storage mechanism for storing energy. Energy may be stored either in one of the accumulators or the flywheel. A control system controls fluid flow to and from the at least one accumulator and, if included, the flow of energy to and from the flywheel such that: in a steady state mode, a first hydraulic pump/motor is energized by an engine to cause hydraulic fluid to flow and actuate a drive line attached to a second hydraulic pump/motor; in a deceleration mode, the second pump/motor is operates as a pump to transfer energy to the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator; and in an acceleration mode, energy is transferred from the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator to the second hydraulic pump/motor to actuate the driveline and accelerate the vehicle.

Claims

1. A hydraulic system for a vehicle comprising:

at least one accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid;

a control system for controlling fluid flow to and from the at least one accumulator such that;

in a steady state mode, a first hydraulic pump/motor is energized by an engine to cause hydraulic fluid to flow and actuate a drive line attached to a second hydraulic pump/motor;

in a deceleration mode, the second hydraulic pump/motor is operated as a hydraulic pump and hydraulic energy from slowing the vehicle down is stored in the at least one accumulator; and

in an acceleration mode, hydraulic fluid is released from the at least one accumulator to cause the second hydraulic pump/motor to actuate the drive line to accelerate the vehicle, wherein excess heat is gathered in a secondary closed-loop thermodynamic cycle that is utilized to generate electricity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein four valves are controlled by the control system to move fluid to and from four accumulators.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one flywheel that stores deceleration energy.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the stored energy in the flywheel is used to accelerate the vehicle through the second hydraulic pump/motor.

5. A hydraulic system for a vehicle comprising:

at least one accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid;

at least one flywheel for storing energy;

a control system that controls fluid flow to and from the at least one accumulator and the flow of energy to and from the flywheel such that;

in a steady state mode, a first hydraulic pump/motor is energized by an engine to cause hydraulic fluid to flow and actuate a drive line attached to a second hydraulic pump/motor;

in a deceleration mode, the second pump/motor is operates as a pump to transfer energy to the at least one flywheel; and

in an acceleration mode, energy is transferred from the at least one flywheel to the second hydraulic pump/motor to actuate the driveline and accelerate the vehicle, wherein excess heat is gathered in a secondary closed-loop thermodynamic cycle that is utilized to generate electricity.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the deceleration and acceleration modes can operate at higher speeds.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the higher speeds are over 40 mph.