System and method for providing a launch assist system
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A hydraulic system for a vehicle comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A hydraulic system for a vehicle comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification