Patent · US Expired

Opposed piston type free piston engine pump unit

US4382748A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
13References
51Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 1980
Grant dateMay 10, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF04B17/05
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A free piston engine pump (FPEP) converts combustion energy into hydraulic power in an efficient, controlled and relatively uncomplicated manner, for example, for vehicle propulsion, auxiliary system power, etc. The FPEP is substantially naturally mass balanced having opposed engine pistons driving respective in-line hydraulic pumps. An adjustable accumulator with a deformable fluid-tight chamber containing a compressible fluid stores and delivers energy for compression, and an arrangement of control valves and check valves enables selective operation of the FPEP in primary (high flow) and secondary (high pressure) modes. Plural FPEP's may be interfaced for parallel operation sharing common elements and functions. Cycle rate, intermittent operation and start-up also may be controlled. Electronic monitoring and control of one or more operational parameters of a FPEP also are disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.