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US 7,597,172 B1Granted
Gear box for hydraulic energy recovery
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorsJoseph A. Kovach, James H. Blalock, Steven C. Rink, Stacy H. Turner, Hao Zhang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic energy recovery and a mechanical drive system in one unit that also provides integral mounting of hydraulic pump/motors for primary drive, secondary drive, and pumps for cooling, lubrication, and low pressure systems along with a mounting position for a power take-off device.
Claims34
A power transfer apparatus for a vehicle comprising a housing having an axis;
- a power input shaft at one axial end of the housing that is connectable to a prime mover of the vehicle for receiving power from the prime mover;
- an output drive shaft at an opposite axial end of the housing that is connectable to one or more wheels of the vehicle for transfer of power to the one or more wheels;
- a primary hydraulic pump mounted to an axial end of the housing;
- a hydraulic motor mounted to an axial end of the housing;
- a transmission assembly contained within the housing, the transmission assembly including a pump coupling for coupling the primary hydraulic pump to the power input shaft, and a motor coupling for coupling the hydraulic motor to the output drive shaft;
- and a secondary hydraulic pump mounted to an axial end of the housing, and the transmission assembly includes a secondary pump coupling for coupling the secondary hydraulic pump to the power input shaft.
3 more elements
A power transfer apparatus for a vehicle comprising a housing having an axis;
- a power input shaft at one axial end of the housing that is connectable to a prime mover of the vehicle for receiving power from the prime mover;
- an output drive shaft at an opposite axial end of the housing that is connectable to one or more wheels of the vehicle for transfer of power to the one or more wheels;
- a primary hydraulic pump mounted to an axial end of the housing;
- a hydraulic motor mounted to an axial end of the housing;
- and a transmission assembly contained within the housing, the transmission assembly including a pump coupling for coupling the primary hydraulic pump to the power input shaft, and a motor coupling for coupling the hydraulic motor to the output drive shaft;
- and wherein the housing has on an axial side thereof a pump mounting surface against which the primary hydraulic pump is removably sealingly mounted, and the housing has on an axial side thereof a motor mounting surface to which the hydraulic motor is removably sealing mounted.
3 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- a power transfer apparatus including a housing having an axis, a power input shaft at one axial end of the housing that is connectable to a prime mover of the vehicle for receiving power from the prime mover, an output drive shaft at an opposite axial end of the housing that is connectable to one or more wheels of the vehicle for transfer of power to the one or more wheels, a primary hydraulic pump mounted to an axial end of the housing, a hydraulic motor mounted to an axial end of the housing, a transmission assembly contained within the housing, the transmission assembly including a pump coupling for coupling the primary hydraulic pump to the power input shaft, and a motor coupling for coupling the hydraulic motor to the output drive shaft;
- an energy storage device in which energy can be stored;
- primary hydraulic pump power circuitry for transferring hydraulic power from the primary hydraulic pump to the energy storage device;
- and
- hydraulic motor power circuitry for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the hydraulic motor;
- wherein the hydraulic motor is reversely operable as a hydraulic pump when driven by the output drive shaft, and the hydraulic motor power circuitry is operable to transfer hydraulic power from the hydraulic motor to the energy storage device when the hydraulic motor is operated as a hydraulic pump;
- and
- wherein the transmission assembly includes a first clutch for selectively drivingly connecting the output drive shaft to the power input shaft, and a second clutch for selectively drivingly connecting the hydraulic motor to the output drive shaft, and
- further comprising a controller for controlling the first and second clutches for selective connection of the power input shaft to the output shaft for driving the vehicle's wheel or wheels under highway speed conditions, and for connecting the hydraulic motor to the output drive shaft for driving the output shaft in a hydrostatic mode and for energy recovery during braking when the hydraulic motor acts as pump for supplying energy to the energy storage device.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.