Hydraulic energy recovery system
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJason Lee Brinkman, Wesley Thomas Payne, Aristoteles Rosa Neto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine includes a hydraulic cylinder configured to raise and lower a boom of the machine, and an accumulator selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator is configured to receive fluid from the hydraulic cylinder during lowering of the boom. The machine also includes a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the accumulator via an independent metering valve. The machine further includes a fan driven by the hydraulic motor and configured to assist in cooling fluid displaced from the hydraulic cylinder.
Claims19
A machine, comprising:
- a hydraulic cylinder configured to raise and lower a boom of the machine;
- an accumulator selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic cylinder and configured to receive fluid from the hydraulic cylinder during lowering of the boom;
- a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the accumulator via an independent metering valve, wherein the independent metering valve comprises first and second supply valves, and first and second drain valves,
- the first supply valve and first drain valve being fluidly connected to a fluid passage extending from the accumulator, and
- the second supply valve and the second drain valve being fluidly connected to a fluid passage extending from the hydraulic motor;
- and
- a fan driven by the hydraulic motor and configured to assist in cooling fluid displaced from the hydraulic cylinder.
A machine, comprising:
- a hydraulic system including
- a first pump driven by a power source of the machine, and
- a valve arrangement fluidly connected to the first pump;
- a recovery system including
- a second pump driven by the power source,
- an independent metering valve fluidly connected to the second pump,
- an accumulator fluidly connected to the independent metering valve, and
- a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the accumulator via the independent metering valve;
- and
- a hydraulic cylinder configured to raise and lower a boom of the machine, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is selectively fluidly connected to the valve arrangement of the hydraulic system and the accumulator of the recovery system.
A method of controlling a machine, comprising:
- lowering a boom of the machine with a hydraulic cylinder, wherein lowering the boom directs fluid from the hydraulic cylinder to an accumulator;
- directing fluid from the accumulator to a pump fluidly connected to the accumulator via an independent metering valve;
- directing pressurized fluid from the pump to a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the independent metering valve;
- and
- directing fluid from the hydraulic motor to a heat exchanger via the independent metering valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.