US 4,479,356 A · Elastomeric energy recovery system

Abstract

An energy recovery system for a machine, and particularly an automotive vehicle, includes an energy storage device which selectively receives energy from the prime mover for storage via a predetermined path and delivers stored energy to the prime mover load via the same path. In the preferred embodiment the energy storage device is an elastomeric tube which is disposed for rotational movement about a shaft and secured at the ends to respective end members. Braking units permit selective braking and releasing of the end members relative to fixed supports. A set of planet gears are controlled by the brake actuation to drive a sun gear or be driven by a ring gear to effect energy inflow and outflow, respectively, from the elastomeric tube. The storage device is permitted to store energy or release its stored energy as a function of vehicle control and operational parameters.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An energy recovery system for use in a machine of the type in which a prime mover is arranged to drive a specified machine part via a rotatably driven shaft, said energy recovery system comprising:

elastomeric energy storage means in the form of a tube of elastomeric material having first and second ends;
an elongated shaft having first and second ends;
means for supporting said elastomeric tube concentrically about and rotationally movable with respect to said elongated shaft;
a first end member fixedly secured to said shaft at said first end;
means for fixedly securing said first end of said elastomeric tube to said first end member;
a second end member disposed coaxially about said second end of said shaft for rotational movement with respect to said shaft;
means fixedly securing said second end of said elastomeric tube to said second end member;
a first frame member fixedly positioned proximate said first end member;
additional means for preventing relative movement between said first end member and said first frame member;
a second frame member fixedly positioned proximate said second end member;
selectively actuable brake means for alternatively preventing and permitting relative movement between said second end member and said said second frame member;
and
further means coupling said driven shaft to said elongated shaft at said second shaft end.

10 more elements

An energy recovery system for use in a machine of the type in which a prime mover is arranged to drive a specified machine part via driven means, said energy recovery system comprising:

energy storage means;
selectively acutable first means operative when actuated to transmit kinetic energy along a prescribed path from said driven means to said energy storage means for storage as potential energy in said energy storage means;
and
selectively actuable second means operative when actuated to release said stored potential energy and transmit it along said prescribed path from said energy storage means to said driven means as kinetic energy to drive said driven means;
wherein said energy storage means in an elastomeric member;
wherein said elastomeric member is a tube of elastomeric material having first and second ends, wherein said first means comprises means for torsionally stressing said tube to store said potential energy therein, and wherein said second means includes means for releasing torsional stress in said tube as said released potential energy;
and
wherein said energy storage means further comprises:
an elongaged shaft having first and second ends;
means for supporting said elastomeric tube concentrically about and rotationally movable with respect to said shaft;
a first end member fixedly secured to said shaft at said first end;
means for fixedly securing said first end of said elastomeric tube to said first end member;
a second end member disposed coaxially about said second end of said shaft for rotational movement with respect to said shaft;
means fixedly securing said second end of said elastomeric tube to said second end member;
a first frame member fixedly positioned proximate said first end member;
first selectively actuable brake means for alternatively preventing and permitting relative movement between said first end member and said first frame member;
a second frame member fixedly positioned proximate said second end member;
second selectively actuable brake means for alternatively preventing and permitting relative movement between said second end member and second frame member;
and
further means coupling said driven means to said shaft at said second shaft end.

17 more elements

An energy recovery system for use in a machine of the type in which a prime mover is arranged to drive a specified machine part via driven means, said energy recovery system comprising:

energy storage means;
selectively actuable first means operative when actuated to transmit kinetic energy along a prescribed path from said driven means to said energy storage means for storage as potential energy in said energy storage means;
selectively actuable second means operative when actuated to release said stored potential energy and transmit it along said prescribed path from said energy storage means to said driven means as kinetic energy to drive said driven means;
wherein said energy storage means is an elastomeric member;
wherein said elastomeric member is a tube of elastomeric material having first and second ends, wherein said first means comprises means for torsionally stressing said tube to store said potential energy therein, and wherein said second means includes means for releasing torisional stress in said tube as said released potential energy;
wherein said energy storage means further comprises:
an elongated shaft having first and second ends;
means for supporting said elastomeric tube concentrically about and rotationally movable with respect to said shaft;
a first end member fixedly secured to said shaft at said first end;
means for fixedly securing one end of said elastomeric tube to said first end member;
a second end member disposed coaxially about said second end of said shaft for rotational movement with respect to said shaft;
means fixedly securing another end of said elastomeric tube to said second end member;
a first frame member fixedly positioned proximate said first end member;
means for preventing movement between said first end member and said first frame member;
a second frame member fixedly positioned proximate said second end member;
selectively actuable brake means for alternatively preventing and permitting relative movement between said second end member and said second frame member;
and
further means coupling said driven means to said shaft at said second shaft end.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Elastomeric energy recovery system

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Elastomeric energy recovery system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15