Hydraulic propulsion system

An energy transmission system comprising

• first means including a pump driven by a prime mover for establishing a first circuit of high pressure/low volume fluid flow,
• second means responsive to said flow of high pressure/low volume fluid for establishing a second circuit of low pressure/high volume fluid flow, and
• at least one fluid motor disposed in said second circuit for receiving energy generated by said prime mover,
• wherein said second means includes first and second volume multipliers each having a high pressure chamber, a low pressure chamber and a piston separating said chambers,
• said pistons of said first and second multipliers are arranged for movement independent of each other,
• said high pressure chambers are connected to third means disposed in said first circuit, said third means are arranged to receive said flow of high pressure/low volume fluid and to alternately direct said high pressure/low volume flow into said high pressure chambers of said first and second volume multipliers, whereby said pistons of said first and second multipliers reciprocate, and
• said low pressure chambers are connected in said second circuit to discharge said flow of low pressure/high volume fluid driven by said pistons.

A vehicular propulsion system comprising

• a reservoir of fluid,
• first means including a pump for generating a high pressure/low volume flow of said fluid,
• a second body of fluid,
• second means driven by said high pressure/low volume flow of said fluid for driving said second body of fluid at low pressure/high volume, and
• third means including at last one motor for receiving said low pressure/high volume fluid and for propelling said vehicle,
• wherein said second means includes first and second volume multipliers each defining an internal cavity having a high pressure chamber for receiving said high pressure/low volume fluid, a low pressure chamber for discharging said low pressure/high volume fluid, and a piston communicating with and separating said chambers,
• said pistons of said first and second multipliers arranged for movement independent of each other,
• said system further including
• a valve having first and second positions,
• means for directing said fluid to said high pressure chamber of said first multiplier when said valve is in said first position,
• means for directing said fluid to said high pressure chamber of said second multiplier when said valve is in said second position, and
• means for controlling said position of said valve whereby said pistons are driven in a reciprocating motion.

Apparatus for converting a first fluid flow at pressure p.sub.i to a second fluid flow at pressure np.sub.i comprising

• first and second volume multipliers each including
• a housing defining an internal cavity,
• a piston in said cavity separating said cavity into first and second chambers,
• said piston having first and second active areas communicating with said first and second chambers, respectively, the ratio of said first and second areas being l:n,
• said pistons of said first and second multipliers arranged for movement independent of each other,
• means for alternately applying said first fluid flow to said first chambers of said multipliers whereby said pistons are driven in a reciprocating motion,
• means for receiving said second fluid flow driven by said pistons from said second chambers of said multipliers,
• a first reservoir of fluid for continuously supplying fluid to and receiving fluid from said first chambers, and
• a second reservoir of fluid for continuously supplying fluid to and receiving fluid from said second chambers,
• wherein said first and second fluid flows are separate and distinct.