Fluid power regenerator

A fluid power regenerator for saving energy in a fluid pumping system having a fixed displacement pump that draws fluid from a reservoir for providing a flow of fluid under pressure to a load comprising:

• first and second displacers that are mechanically interconnected with each other independently of the fixed displacement pump for dividing the flow of fluid into predetermined proportions;
• a first pressure line operating at a first fluid pressure for connecting an output port of the fixed displacement pump to respective input ports of said first and second displacers;
• a second pressure line operating at a second fluid pressure for connecting respective output ports of said first and second displacers to the load;
• a return line for connecting said output port of the first displacer to the reservoir;
• a valve for alternatively connecting said output port of the first displacer to one of said second pressure line and said return line;
• a sensor for monitoring the second fluid pressure in said second pressure line;
• a control system for comparing the second fluid pressure to a desired pressure and for determining changes in a rate of fluid flow to the load required to maintain the second fluid pressure at the desired pressure;
• and p1 said control system including a logic network controlling operation of said valve for connecting said output port of the first displacer to said return line in response to the second fluid pressure being greater than the desired pressure to reduce both the rate of fluid flow to the load and the first fluid pressure in said first pressure line.

A fluid pumping system for supplying a flow of fluid at a constant pressure to a load comprising:

• a fixed displacement pump operable by a prime mover for producing the flow of fluid;
• first and second displacers that are mechanically interconnected with each other independently of said fixed displacement pump for dividing the flow of fluid into predetermined proportions;
• an intake line connecting an input port of said fixed displacement pump to a reservoir;
• a first pressure line connecting an output port of said fixed displacement pump to respective input ports of said first and second displacers;
• a second pressure line connecting respective output ports of said first and second displacers to the load;
• a return line connecting said output port of the first displacer to the reservoir;
• a valve for alternatively connecting said output port of the first displacer to one of said second pressure line and said return line;
• said first displacer connecting said first pressure line to said return line is arranged for being driven as a motor for driving said second displacer connecting said first pressure line to said second pressure line as a pump;
• said second displacer is arranged for being driven as a pump for reducing pressure in said first pressure line with respect to said second pressure line;
• and
• a modulating valve interrupting a second return line that connect said first pressure line to said reservoir.

A method of regenerating a portion of a flow of fluid between a fixed displacement pump and a load comprising the steps of:

• directing the flow of fluid within a fluid flow network through a gang of fixed size displacers that divide the flow of fluid into predetermined proportions;
• diverting a portion of the fluid flow through a first number of displacers form the load to a reservoir for driving the first number of displacers as motors and for reducing the flow of fluid to the load to reduce an outlet fluid pressure within the fluid flow network between the displacers and the load;
• driving a second number of the remaining displacers as pumps with mechanical power generated by the first number of displacers operating as motors for reducing an inlet fluid pressure between the fixed displacement pump and the displacers;
• and
• controlling the diversion of fluid flow through different numbers of the displacers operating as motors for reducing the inlet fluid pressure to more closely match output power of the fixed displacement pump with a reduced demand for fluid power by the load.

A method of regenerating a portion of a flow of fluid between a source of the flow of fluid and a load comprising the steps of:

• directing the flow of fluid within a fluid flow network through a gang of fixed size displacers that divide the flow of fluid into predetermined proportions;
• diverting a portion of the fluid flow through a first number of the displacers from the load to a reservoir for driving the first number of displacers as motors;
• driving a second number of the remaining displacers as pumps with mechanical power generated by the first number of displacers operating as motors;
• controlling the diversion of fluid flow through different numbers of the displacers operating as motors for varying a rate of fluid flow to the load;
• said step of controlling the diversion of fluid flow including dividing the flow of fluid between the load and the reservoir in incremental divisions that number more than a total number of the displacers;
• and
• controlling a valve to further vary the rate of fluid flow to the load between the incremental divisions of the flow of fluid controlled by the diversion of fluid flow through different displacers.