Constant pressure sealed fluid storage tank for hydraulic systems
AssigneeCaterpillar Tractor Co.
InventorCullen P. Hart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A closed rigid tank stores oil or other liquid for use in operating hydraulic jacks or other fluid-driven devices. A flexible bladder within the tank is coupled to a source of compressed air and to an air pressure regulator in order to maintain a constant positive pressure in the tank as the bladder expands and contracts in response to the withdrawal and return of oil. The sealed regulated pressure tank may be smaller, lighter and less costly than the tank structures heretofore used in hydraulic systems and the construction is more adaptable to variations in tank shape and location relative to other system components. Fluid lines which connect the tank and fluid pump may be smaller and the total volume of oil required for the hydraulic system may be reduced.
Claims10
An operating fluid storage for a hydraulic system having variable operating fluid requirements comprising:
- a rigid closed tank defining an interior chamber for storing said operating fluid and having first port means for receiving and releasing said fluid and having second port means for connection to a source of pressurized gas,
- an expandable and contractable fluid-tight bladder disposed within said chamber of said tank and being communicated with said second port means to receive and release said gas as operating fluid is withdrawn and received at said tank, and
- means for maintaining a predetermined substantially constant gas pressure within said bladder as the volume of operating fluid in said tank and the volume of said bladder undergoes changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.