Dear keule,
Here is full contact information for the company:
Sirex Pulse Hydraulic Systems Inc.
P.O. Box 10127
Prescott, AZ 86304
USA
Phone: 520-778-5622
Fax: 520-445-6602
E-Mail: sirex@sieke.com
President: Helmut E. Sieke
There is a bit of confusion and mystery surrounding the company and
the pulse hydraulic system. I will try to let you know as exact as
possible what I found out.
The inventors of the systems are, according to the oldest documents
available, three Germans:
- Frank Sieke
- Harald Sieke
- Marin Sieke,
all of the city of Wiesbaden, Germany.
The applicant was Helmut Sieke, certified engineer.
On 12 December 1987, they applied for a patent at the German Patent
and Trademark Office for the "Pulshydraulische Antriebssystem" (=
pulse hydraulic drive system) for they had invented. The patent was
granted 24 June 1988. See the full German patent (patent no. 37 42
198) here as an Acrobat Reader file:
http://l2.espacenet.com/espacenet/bnsviewer?CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD&PN=DE3742198&ID=DE+++3742198A1+I+
However, on 1 September 1993, the patent expired because the owner -
Helmut Sieke - had not paid the annual fee. So the Siekes' invention
is not protected by German patent law anymore.
The pulse hydraulic device was also patented in Australia, Brazil,
Spain, Japan, the United Kingdom and in (then still existing) East
Germany. Also, it was protected by an International Patent and a
European Patent.
On 16 August 1994, Helmut Sieke applied for a US patent for the pulse
hydraulic system. It is the same device, as I found out by carefully
comparing the German and the US patent specification. Strangely, in
the US specification the inventors have changed. They are now:
- Ingrid Sieke
- Harald Sieke
- Helmut Sieke,
now all resident in Prescott, Arizona.
The patent, with the number 5,540,052, was granted 30 July 1996. I
added its full text as an appendix.
Harald Sierke (already resident in Prescott then) had the word mark
"TurboJack" registered as a trademark at the US Patent and Trademark
Office 2 September 1993. But as early as 24 August 1994, it was
abandoned again.
Then, on 11 July 1996, "Sirex Pulse Hydraulic Systems, Inc." applied
for registration of the term "TurboJack" once more. The trademark was
registered 8 July 1997 and is still valid today and has not changed
owners. So the company is obviously still existing, too.
The domain Helmut Sieke uses for his e-mail address is not owned by
his company, but by Frank Sieke (see the original German patent), who
is still resident in Germany. Frank Sieke's private website (
http://www.sieke.com/) has no relation with the company in Prescott.
Obviously, Helmut Sieke is the head of Sirex Pulse Hydraulic Systems,
Inc. This volume of the publication "The Industrial Physicist"
contains a letter written by Helmut Sieke:
The Industrial Physicist, Vol. 8, 2002 (Acrobat Reader file)
http://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-8/iss-4/p4.pdf
And here now the full US patent:
--- Patent starts here ---
United States Patent 5,540,052
Sieke , et al. July 30, 1996
Pulse hydraulic systems and methods therefor
Abstract
A pulse hydraulic system is disclosed comprising, in combination a
hydraulic sump for supplying the system with hydraulic fluid, one or
more hydraulic pumps taking suction on the sump for increasing the
pressure of the hydraulic fluid exiting the sump, a pulse generator
fed by the discharge from the pump(s) for creating pulsed pressure of
the hydraulic fluid output therefrom, an actuator coupled to the pulse
generator for doing work, and one or more accumulators coupled between
at least one of the pump(s) and the pulse generator, between the pulse
generator and the actuator, and between the pulse generator and the
sump for storing and supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the
system. The addition of one or more pulse intensifiers to a pulse
hydraulic system increases the overall system efficiency.
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Inventors: Sieke; Ingrid D. (1030 Sandretto Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301);
Sieke; Harold B. (1030 Sandretto Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301); Sieke;
Helmut K. (1030 Sandretto Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301)
Appl. No.: 291122
Filed: August 16, 1994
Current U.S. Class: 60/540; 52/7; 60/371; 108/27
Intern'l Class: F15B 007/02
Field of Search: 60/371,538,540 138/31
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References Cited [Referenced By]
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U.S. Patent Documents
2802336 Aug., 1957 Ball 60/371.
2980079 Apr., 1961 Joelson 60/371.
3213615 Oct., 1965 Bjornberg 60/371.
4407150 Oct., 1983 Kelly 60/540.
4881725 Nov., 1989 Shoida et al. 138/31.
Foreign Patent Documents
722437 Nov., 1965 CA 138/31.
Primary Examiner: Lopez; F. Daniel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weiss; Harry M., Moy; Jeffrey D. Harry M.
Weiss & Associates, P.C.
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Claims
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What is claimed is:
1. A pulse hydraulic system comprising, in combination:
hydraulic fluid storage means for supplying said system with hydraulic
fluid;
pressurizing means coupled to said hydraulic fluid storage means for
increasing pressure of said hydraulic fluid exiting from said
hydraulic fluid storage means into said pressurizing means;
pulse generating means coupled to said pressurizing means for creating
pulsed pressure of hydraulic fluid output therefrom;
actuator means having a plurality of lines connected to a top portion
thereof from said pulse generating means and having another plurality
of lines connected to a bottom portion thereof from said pulse
generating means for doing work; and
accumulator means coupled between at least one of said pressurizing
means and said pulse generating means, between said pulse generating
means and said actuator means, and between said pulse generating means
and said hydraulic fluid storage means for storing and supplying
pressurized hydraulic fluid to said system;
accumulator means coupled between said pressurizing means and said
pulse generating means being connected with a line from said
pressurizing means within a portion of said pulse generating means.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said pulse generating means
comprises:
cylindrical member means having a hollow, interior, cylindrical cavity
and having a plurality of separate, grooved, exterior surface portions
having a plurality of apertures there through for providing at least
one chamber means for receiving hydraulic fluid from said pressurizing
means, second chamber means for supplying said pulsed pressure
hydraulic fluid to said actuator means, and third chamber means for
returning said hydraulic fluid from said actuator means to said
hydraulic fluid storage means via said pulse generating means;
rotor means inserted within said hollow, interior, cylindrical cavity
and having a plurality of cavities on an exterior surface thereof for
creating said pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid; and
rotating means coupled to said rotor means for rotating said rotor
means.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises:
a housing;
a cylindrical cavity located within said housing;
a piston located within said cylindrical cavity and free to move along
a lengthwise axis of said cylindrical cavity; and
shaft means coupled to at least one side of said piston and extending
from said housing for performing said work.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one output from said
pressurizing means is directly connected to said actuator means.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein said second and said third chamber
means of said pulse generating means alternate both in providing said
pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid to said actuator means and in
returning said hydraulic fluid from said actuator means in separate
lines to said hydraulic fluid storage means.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises a
hydraulic motor.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises at
least one spray nozzle.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said accumulator means comprises:
a housing;
a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having a
connection at an end of said cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid;
a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said cylindrical
cavity; and
first spring means disposed between said end of said cylindrical
cavity and a first end of said piston and second spring means disposed
between a second end of said cylindrical cavity and a second end of
said piston for permitting temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic
fluid from said system and for returning said pressurized hydraulic
fluid to said system.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said second spring means comprises at
least one of a spring and a bellville spring.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said accumulator means comprises:
a housing;
a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having a
connection at an end of said cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid;
a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said cylindrical
cavity; and
a plurality of spring means disposed between another end of said
cylindrical cavity and an end of said piston for permitting temporary
storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from said system and for
returning said pressurized hydraulic fluid to said system.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said accumulator means comprises:
a housing;
a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having a
connection at an end of said cylindrical cavity to a source of
hydraulic fluid;
a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said cylindrical
cavity;
first spring means disposed between said end of said cylindrical
cavity and a first side of said piston and a gas disposed within a
cavity formed by said cylindrical cavity and a second side of said
piston for permitting temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid
from said system and for returning said pressurized hydraulic fluid to
said system; and
over pressure relief means coupled to said cavity to prevent over
pressurization of said cavity.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein another of said accumulator means
comprises:
a housing;
a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having a first
connection at an end of said cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid and
having a second connection at an opposite end of said cavity to
another source of hydraulic fluid;
a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said cylindrical
cavity;
a shaft having a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional
area of said piston and said shaft being coupled to said piston and
extending through said second connection at said opposite end of said
cylindrical cavity; and
first spring means disposed between said end of said cylindrical
cavity and a first end of said piston and second spring means disposed
between said opposite end of said cylindrical cavity and a second end
of said piston for increasing pressure of said another source of
hydraulic fluid relative to pressure of said source of hydraulic
fluid.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means comprises at
least one hydraulic pump.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said accumulator
means are coupled between said pressurizing means and said pulse
generating means.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein said accumulator means has a
plurality of connections coupled between at least one of said
pressurizing means and said pulse generating means, and between said
pulse generating means and said hydraulic fluid storage means for
removing air and heat from a portion of said accumulator means.
16. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
housing means containing said pulse generating means, said actuator
means, and said accumulator means and having a vibration dampening
material thereon for reducing vibration external to said housing
means; and
said hydraulic fluid storage means and said pressurizing means being
located external to said housing means.
17. A method of operating a pulse hydraulic system comprising the
steps of:
providing hydraulic fluid storage means for supplying said system with
hydraulic fluid;
providing pressurizing means coupled to said hydraulic fluid storage
means for increasing pressure of said hydraulic fluid exiting from
said hydraulic fluid storage means into said pressurizing means;
providing pulse generating means coupled to said pressurizing means
for creating pulsed pressure of hydraulic fluid output therefrom;
providing actuator means having a plurality of lines connected to a
top portion thereof from said pulse generating means and having
another plurality of lines connected to a bottom portion thereof from
said pulse generating means for doing work; and
providing accumulator means coupled between at least one of said
pressurizing means and said pulse generating means, between said pulse
generating means and said actuator means, and between said pulse
generating means and said hydraulic fluid storage means for storing
and supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to said system;
said accumulator means coupled between said pressurizing means and
said pulse generating means being connected with a line from said
pressurizing means within a portion of said pulse generating means.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing said pulse
generating means comprises the steps of:
providing cylindrical member means having a hollow, interior,
cylindrical cavity and having a plurality of separate, grooved,
exterior surface portions having a plurality of apertures there
through for providing at least one chamber means for receiving
hydraulic fluid from said pressurizing means, second chamber means for
supplying said pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid to said actuator means,
and third chamber means for returning said hydraulic fluid from said
actuator means to said hydraulic fluid storage means via said pulse
generating means;
providing rotor means inserted within said hollow, interior,
cylindrical cavity and having a plurality of cavities on an exterior
surface thereof for creating said pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid; and
providing rotating means coupled to said rotor means for rotating said
rotor means.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing said actuator
means comprises the steps of:
providing a housing;
providing a cylindrical cavity located within said housing;
providing a piston located within said cylindrical cavity and free to
move along a lengthwise axis of said cylindrical cavity; and
providing shaft means coupled to at least one side of said piston and
extending from said housing for performing said work.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein at least one output from said
pressurizing means is directly connected to said actuator means.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein said second and said third chamber
means of said pulse generating means alternate both in providing said
pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid to said actuator means and in
returning said hydraulic fluid from said actuator means to said
hydraulic fluid storage means.
22. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing said actuator
means comprises the step of coupling a hydraulic motor with said pulse
generating means.
23. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing said actuator
means comprises the step of coupling at least one spray nozzle with
said pulse generating means.
24. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing said
accumulator means comprises the steps of:
providing a housing;
providing a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having
a connection at an end of said cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid;
providing a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said
cylindrical cavity; and
providing first spring means disposed between said end of said
cylindrical cavity and a first end of said piston and second spring
means disposed between a second end of said cylindrical cavity and a
second end of said piston for permitting temporary storage of
pressurized hydraulic fluid from said system and for returning said
pressurized hydraulic fluid to said system.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said second spring means comprises
at least one of a spring and a bellville spring.
26. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing said
accumulator means comprises the steps of:
providing a housing;
providing a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having
a connection at an end of said cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid;
providing a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said
cylindrical cavity; and
providing a plurality of spring means disposed between another end of
said cylindrical cavity and an end of said piston for permitting
temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from said system and
for returning said pressurized hydraulic fluid to said system.
27. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing said
pressurizing means comprises the step of providing at least one
hydraulic pump.
28. The method of claim 17 wherein a plurality of said accumulator
means are coupled between said pressurizing means and said pulse
generating means.
29. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing said
accumulator means comprises the steps of:
providing a housing;
providing a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having
a connection at an end of said cylindrical cavity to a source of
hydraulic fluid;
providing a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said
cylindrical cavity;
providing first spring means disposed between said end of said
cylindrical cavity and a first side of said piston and a gas disposed
within a cavity formed by said cylindrical cavity and a second side of
said piston for permitting temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic
fluid from said system and for returning said pressurized hydraulic
fluid to said system; and
providing over pressure relief means coupled to said cavity to prevent
over pressurization of said cavity.
30. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of providing another of
said accumulator means comprising pulse intensifier means comprises
the steps of:
providing a housing;
providing a cylindrical cavity located within said housing and having
a first connection at an end of said cavity to a source of hydraulic
fluid and having a second connection at an opposite end of said cavity
to another source of hydraulic fluid;
providing a piston free to move along a lengthwise axis of said
cylindrical cavity;
providing a shaft having a smaller cross-sectional area than a
cross-sectional area of said piston and said shaft being coupled to
said piston and extending through said second connection at said
opposite end of said cylindrical cavity; and
providing first spring means disposed between said end of said
cylindrical cavity and a first end of said piston and second spring
means disposed between said opposite end of said cylindrical cavity
and a second end of said piston for increasing pressure of said
another source of hydraulic fluid relative to pressure of said source
of hydraulic fluid.
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Description
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RELATED PATENT
U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174, entitled "APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISPERSIONS
AND THE LIKE WITH NON-SINUSOIDAL VIBRATION," filed in the name of the
same inventor is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to hydraulic systems and, more
specifically, to pulse hydraulic systems including one or more pulse
intensifiers and methods therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174 discloses a pulse hydraulic system and the
method of operation thereof. The performance of such a pulse hydraulic
system depends, in pertinent part, upon the flow rate and the pressure
of the hydraulic fluid flowing through the pulse generator to the
actuator. Without re-stating the full operation of the pulse generator
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174, the following brief description
is provided in order to demonstrate a limitation of such a pulse
generator. In general, the pulse generator has a series of chambers.
One chamber is provided with pressurized hydraulic fluid from the
discharge of a hydraulic pump. Two or more other chambers transfer the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first chamber of the pulse
generator to the actuator. One of these two chambers supplies
pressurized pulses of hydraulic fluid to the actuator, and the other
of these two chambers provides a return flow path for pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the actuator to a hydraulic sump. The pulse
generator is provided with a rotor having a series of cavities. As the
rotor rotates, the two "other" chambers are alternatively aligned to
be the supply and then the return path for the actuator due to the
relative position between the cavities in the rotor and a series of
apertures in each of the chambers. Furthermore, as the rotor rotates,
the flow paths are established and, temporarily blocked by closed
portions of the rotor. The frequency of the pressurized, hydraulic
fluid pulses is a function of the rotational velocity of the rotor.
When the rotor temporarily closes off flow paths, the discharge
pressure of the pump is not used to perform work. In other words, when
the flow paths necessary to deliver pressurized fluid to the actuator,
where the work output of the system is executed, are temporarily
closed, and the pump is still running, the energy needed to provide
the pressurized output from the pump is unnecessarily wasted. If there
were some special way to store the pressurized hydraulic fluid from
the pump discharge when the flow paths from the pulse generator to the
actuator are temporarily closed, and then return this stored,
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system, then overall system
performance and efficiency would increase substantially.
Therefore, there existed a need to provide a pulse hydraulic system
having one or more accumulators to store and subsequently return this
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, it is an object
of this invention to provide a pulse hydraulic system including one or
more accumulators.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for
operating a pulse hydraulic system including one or more accumulators.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a pulse hydraulic
system including one or more pulse intensifiers and one or more
hydraulic pumps.
It is a yet another object of this invention to provide a pulse
hydraulic system including one or more accumulators and a hydraulic
actuator, a hydraulic motor, or one or more spray nozzle for doing
work.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a pulse hydraulic
system is disclosed comprising, in combination, hydraulic fluid
storage means for supplying the system with hydraulic fluid,
pressurizing means coupled to the hydraulic fluid storage means for
increasing pressure of the hydraulic fluid exiting from the hydraulic
fluid storage means into the pressurizing means, pulse generating
means coupled to the pressurizing means for creating pulsed pressure
of hydraulic fluid output therefrom, actuator means coupled to at
least one line of the pulse generating means and supplied with the
hydraulic fluid from the pulse generating means for doing work, and
accumulator means coupled between at least one of the pressurizing
means and the pulse generating means, between the pulse generating
means and the actuator means, and between the pulse generating means
and the hydraulic fluid storage means for storing and supplying
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system. The pulse generating means
comprises cylindrical member means having a hollow, interior,
cylindrical cavity and having a plurality of separate, grooved,
exterior surface portions having a plurality of apertures there
through for providing at least one chamber means for receiving
hydraulic fluid from the pressurizing means, second chamber means for
supplying the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid to the actuator means,
and third chamber means for returning the hydraulic fluid from the
actuator means to the hydraulic fluid storage means via the pulse
generating means, rotor means inserted within the hollow, interior,
cylindrical cavity and having a plurality of cavities on an exterior
surface thereof for creating the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid, and
rotating means coupled to the rotor means for rotating the rotor
means. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator means comprises a
housing, a cylindrical cavity located within the housing, a piston
located within the cylindrical cavity and being free to move along a
lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, and shaft means coupled to
at least one side of the piston and extending from the housing for
performing the work. In an alternative embodiment, at least one output
from the pressurizing means is directly connected to the actuator
means. The second and the third chamber means of the pulse generating
means alternate both in providing the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid
to the actuator means and in returning the hydraulic fluid from the
actuator means to the hydraulic fluid storage means.
Several different types of accumulators may be implemented. One
embodiment of the accumulator means comprises a housing, a cylindrical
cavity located within the housing and having a connection at an end of
the cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid, a piston free to move along
a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, and first spring means
disposed between the end of the cylindrical cavity and a first end of
the piston and second spring means disposed between a second end of
the cylindrical cavity and a second end of the piston for permitting
temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system and
for returning the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system. The
second spring means comprises at least one of a spring and a bellville
spring, or a combination of both.
Alternatively, the accumulator means comprises a housing, a
cylindrical cavity located within the housing and having a connection
at an end of the cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid, a piston free
to move along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, and a
plurality of spring means disposed between another end of the
cylindrical cavity and an end of the piston for permitting temporary
storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system and for
returning the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system.
The accumulator means may also comprise a housing, a cylindrical
cavity located within the housing and having a connection at an end of
the cylindrical cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid, a piston free
to move along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, first
spring means disposed between the end of the cylindrical cavity and a
first end of the piston and a gas disposed within a cavity formed by
the cylindrical cavity and a second end of the piston for permitting
temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system and
for returning the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system, and over
pressure relief means coupled to the cavity to prevent over
pressurization of the cavity.
The accumulator means may also define pulse intensifier means
comprising a housing, a cylindrical cavity located within the housing
and having a first connection at an end of the cavity to a source of
hydraulic fluid and having a second connection at an opposite end of
the cavity to another source of hydraulic fluid, a piston free to move
along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, a shaft having a
smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the piston
and the shaft being coupled to the piston and extending through the
second connection at the opposite end of the cylindrical cavity, and
first spring means disposed between the end of the cylindrical cavity
and a first end of the piston and second spring means disposed between
the opposite end of the cylindrical cavity and a second end of the
piston for increasing pressure of the other source of hydraulic fluid
relative to pressure of the source of hydraulic fluid.
Additionally, the aforementioned actuator means may comprise a
hydraulic motor or one or more spray nozzles. Moreover, the
pressurizing means comprises one or more hydraulic pumps.
Additionally, one or more of the accumulator means may be coupled
between the pressurizing means and the pulse generating means.
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a method of
operating a pulse hydraulic system is provided comprising the steps of
providing hydraulic fluid storage means for supplying the system with
hydraulic fluid, providing pressurizing means coupled to the hydraulic
fluid storage means for increasing pressure of the hydraulic fluid
exiting from the hydraulic fluid storage means into the pressurizing
means, providing pulse generating means coupled to the pressurizing
means for creating pulsed pressure of hydraulic fluid output
therefrom, providing actuator means coupled to at least one line of
the pulse generating means and supplied with the hydraulic fluid from
the pulse generating means for doing work, and providing accumulator
means coupled between at least one of the pressurizing means and the
pulse generating means, between the pulse generating means and the
actuator means, and between the pulse generating means and the
hydraulic fluid storage means for storing and supplying pressurized
hydraulic fluid to the system. The step of providing the pulse
generating means comprises the steps of providing cylindrical member
means having a hollow, interior, cylindrical cavity and having a
plurality of separate, grooved, exterior surface portions having a
plurality of apertures there through for providing at least one
chamber means for receiving hydraulic fluid from the pressurizing
means, second chamber means for supplying the pulsed pressure
hydraulic fluid to the actuator means, and third chamber means for
returning the hydraulic fluid from the actuator means to the hydraulic
fluid storage means via the pulse generating means, providing rotor
means inserted within the hollow, interior, cylindrical cavity and
having a plurality of cavities on an exterior surface thereof for
creating the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid, and providing rotating
means coupled to the rotor means for rotating the rotor means. In a
preferred embodiment, the step of providing the actuator means
comprises the steps of providing a housing, providing one or more
cylindrical cavities located within the housing, providing a piston
located within the cylindrical cavity and being free to move along a
lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, and providing shaft means
coupled to at least one side of the piston and extending from the
housing for performing the work. In an alternative embodiment, at
least one output from the pressurizing means is directly connected to
the actuator means. The second and the third chamber means of the
pulse generating means alternate both in providing the pulsed pressure
hydraulic fluid to the actuator means and in returning the hydraulic
fluid from the actuator means to the hydraulic fluid storage means.
There are several methods for operating the accumulators. Accordingly,
one method for providing one or more accumulator means comprises the
steps of providing a housing, providing a cylindrical cavity located
within the housing and having a connection at an end of the cavity to
a source of hydraulic fluid, providing a piston free to move along a
lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, and providing first spring
means disposed between the end of the cylindrical cavity and a first
end of the piston and second spring means disposed between a second
end of the cylindrical cavity and a second end of the piston for
permitting temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the
system and for returning the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the
system. The second spring means comprises at least one of a spring and
a bellville spring.
Another method for providing the accumulator means comprises the steps
of providing a housing, providing a cylindrical cavity located within
the housing and having a connection at an end of the cavity to a
source of hydraulic fluid, providing a piston free to move along a
lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, and providing a plurality
of spring means disposed between another end of the cylindrical cavity
and an end of the piston for permitting temporary storage of
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system and for returning the
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system.
Another method for providing the accumulator means comprises the steps
of providing a housing, providing a cylindrical cavity located within
the housing and having a connection at an end of the cylindrical
cavity to a source of hydraulic fluid, providing a piston free to move
along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity, providing first
spring means disposed between the end of the cylindrical cavity and a
first end of the piston and a gas disposed within a cavity formed by
the cylindrical cavity and a second end of the piston for permitting
temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system and
for returning the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system, and
providing over pressure relief means coupled to the cavity to prevent
over pressurization of the cavity.
Another method for providing the accumulator means, or more
accurately, pulse intensifier means, comprises the steps of providing
a housing, providing a cylindrical cavity located within the housing
and having a first connection at an end of the cavity to a source of
hydraulic fluid and having a second connection at an opposite end of
the cavity to another source of hydraulic fluid, providing a piston
free to move along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity,
providing a shaft having a smaller cross-sectional area than a
cross-sectional area of the piston and the shaft being coupled to the
piston and extending through the second connection at the opposite end
of the cylindrical cavity, and providing first spring means disposed
between the end of the cylindrical cavity and a first end of the
piston and second spring means disposed between the opposite end of
the cylindrical cavity and a second end of the piston for increasing
pressure of the other source of hydraulic fluid relative to pressure
of the source of hydraulic fluid.
Additionally, the step of providing the actuator means may comprise
the step of coupling a hydraulic motor or one or more spray nozzles
with the pulse generating means. The step of providing the
pressurizing means comprises the step of providing one or more
hydraulic pumps. Moreover, one or more of the accumulator means may be
coupled between the pressurizing means and the pulse generating means,
or directly into the pulse generating means input pressure chamber.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following, more particular,
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a simplified system diagram of one embodiment of the pulse
hydraulic system including one or more accumulators.
FIG. 2 is a simplified functional block diagram corresponding to the
system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a simplified system diagram of another embodiment of the
pulse hydraulic system including one or more accumulators (only one is
shown) and a direct connection from the pressure line to the actuator.
FIG. 4 is a simplified functional block diagram corresponding to the
system shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an accumulator.
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an
accumulator.
FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of an
accumulator.
FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of an
accumulator.
FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pulse
intensifier.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view with parts broken away from one
embodiment of the pulse generator.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pulse generator from FIG. 6
showing the rotor inserted.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10A is a simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of an
accumulator that may be used with the pulse hydraulic systems shown in
FIGS. 1-4.
FIG. 10B is a simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
plurality of accumulators coupled together for use with any of the
pulse hydraulic systems shown in FIGS. 1-4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified system diagram of one embodiment of
the pulse hydraulic system is shown and generally designated by
reference number 10. The system 10 includes a hydraulic fluid storage
source or sump 11 (see FIG. 2) for supplying the system 10 with
hydraulic fluid, such as hydraulic oil. A pressurizing source such as
one or more hydraulic pumps 13 (see FIG. 2) is coupled to the
hydraulic sump 11 via line 44 for increasing the pressure of hydraulic
fluid exiting from the sump 11 into the pump(s) 13. The sump 11 and
the pump(s) 13 are coupled to a pulse generator 12 via lines 32 and
34, respectively. Hydraulic sumps 11 and pumps 13 are well known in
the art. Further, pulse generators such as pulse generator 12 are also
well known in the art, and, in particular, the basic operation of a
pulse generator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174. The pulse
generator 12 is coupled to the hydraulic pump(s) 13 for creating
pulses in the pressure of hydraulic fluid output from the pulse
generator 12. As is described in full detail in U.S. Pat. No.
4,556,174, and as will be briefly discussed later, the pulse generator
12 has a plurality of separate chambers. One of these chambers is
provided for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic
pump 13. Please note that when the term hydraulic pump 13 is used,
this may be interpreted to mean one or more hydraulic pumps or other
hydraulic fluid pressurizing sources. Two additional chambers are
provided for supplying pulsed pressurized hydraulic fluid from the
pulse generator 12 to an actuator 14, and two chambers for returning
hydraulic fluid from the actuator 14 to the sump 11 via the pulse
generator 12. The chambers alternate the supply path and the return
path. The pulse generator 12 of FIG. 1 would have at least six
different chambers, namely, one corresponding to the pressurized
hydraulic fluid discharged from the pump 13, another corresponding to
line 36 for supplying pulsed, pressurized hydraulic fluid to the top
16T of the actuator 14, another corresponding to line 38 for returning
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the top 16T of the actuator 14 to the
sump 11, another corresponding to line 42 for supplying pulsed,
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the bottom 16B of the actuator 14,
another corresponding to line 40 for returning pressurized hydraulic
fluid from the bottom 16B of the actuator 14 to the sump 11, and
another for returning hydraulic fluid from the pulse generator 12 to
the sump 11. When pulsed, pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied via
line 36 to the top 16T of the actuator 14, hydraulic fluid from the
bottom 16B of the actuator 14 returns to the sump 11 via lines 34 and
40 and the pulse generator 12. Similarly, when pulsed, pressurized
hydraulic fluid is supplied via line 42 to the bottom 16B of the
actuator 14, hydraulic fluid from the top 16T of the actuator 14
returns to the sump 11 via line 34 and 38 and the pulse generator 12.
As the pulse generator 12 operates, the supply path for the pulsed,
pressurized hydraulic fluid and the return path are alternated from
the top 16T to the bottom 16B of the actuator 14, thereby causing the
piston 18 and the shaft 20 of the actuator 14 to oscillate back and
forth..
Again referring to FIG. 1, the implementation of accumulators 22-26
and pulse intensifiers 28-30 significantly increases the efficiency of
operation of the system 10. The manner in which the accumulators 22-26
and the pulse intensifiers 28-30 accomplish this improvement will be
discussed hereinafter. Recall that as the rotor of the pulse generator
12 rotates, the supply and return flow paths are established and,
temporarily blocked by closed portions of the rotor. Consequently,
when the rotor temporarily closes off the flow paths, the energy
associated with the discharge pressure of the pump 13 is not used for
doing work. The accumulators 22-24 provide a manner for storing the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump 13 discharge when the flow
paths from the pulse generator 12 to the actuator 14 are temporarily
closed, and then returning this stored, pressurized hydraulic fluid
from accumulators 22-24 to the pump 13 discharge header when the flow
paths from the pulse generator 12 to the actuator 14 are
re-established. One or more accumulators may be used where
accumulators 22 and 24 are shown. The reason for this will become more
apparent when the structural configuration of the accumulators 22-26
is discussed with respect to FIGS. 5A-D, however, the basic rational
is as follows. The rotational velocity of the rotor of the pulse
generator 12 determines the frequency of the pulses in pressure of the
hydraulic fluid. Different applications of the system 10 sometimes
require different frequencies of the pulses. Different types of
accumulators 22-26 and pulse intensifiers 28-30 respond differently to
different frequencies. Consequently, in order to cover a broad range
of operating frequencies of pulses, several accumulators 22 and 24, or
more, may be connected in parallel or in series between the discharge
of the pump 13 and the pressure input chamber of the pulse generator
12. Typically, only one accumulator 26 would be used between the pulse
generator 12 and the sump 11, however, more than one could be used
here as well. Any of the accumulators shown on FIGS. 5A-D, or
equivalents thereof, could be used for accumulators 22-26, while pulse
intensifiers 28 and 30 would use the pulse intensifier shown in FIG.
5E, or equivalents thereof. Whereas the accumulators 22-24 are used to
store hydraulic fluid from and subsequently return hydraulic fluid to
between the discharge of the pump 13 and the input chamber of the
pulse generator 12, and whereas accumulator 26 is used to store
hydraulic fluid from and subsequently return hydraulic fluid to
between the pulse generator 12 and the sump 11, pulse intensifiers 28
and 30 are used to increase the pressure of the pulsed pressure
hydraulic fluid leaving the pulse generator 12 and entering either the
top 16T or the bottom 16B, respectively, of the actuator 14. It should
be pointed out that any one of the accumulators 22-26 and the pulse
intensifiers 28-30 may be used by itself. In addition, all of the
accumulators 22-26 and the pulse intensifiers 28-30 could be used
together, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, one could use any subset
combination of all of the accumulators 22-26 and the pulse
intensifiers 28-30 shown in FIG. 1. For example, more than two
accumulators could be used where accumulators 22 and 24 are located in
FIG. 1, in combination with pulse intensifiers 28 and 30 where they
are located in FIG. 1 (i.e. leaving out accumulator 26).
Again referring to FIG. 1, the actuator 14 is coupled to the pulse
generator 12 for doing some kind of work. In particular, the actuator
comprises a housing, a cylindrical cavity 16T and 16B located within
the housing, a piston 18 located within the cylindrical cavity 16T and
16B and free to move along the lengthwise axis of the cylindrical
cavity 16T and 16B, and a shaft 20 coupled to at least one side of the
piston 18 for performing work. The shaft 20 oscillates for performing
some task. It should be pointed out that U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174
demonstrates some of the tasks that a pulse hydraulic system can
perform. It should also be pointed out that those with skills well
known in the pulse hydraulics art could connect a hydraulic motor or
one or more spray nozzles to the pulse generator 12 in lieu of the
actuator 14.
Referring to FIG. 2, a simplified functional block diagram
corresponding to the system 10 from FIG. 1 is shown. One or more
hydraulic pumps 13 draw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic sump 11 and
discharge pressurized hydraulic fluid to the pulse generator 12. The
accumulators 22 and 24 are also coupled to the discharge header of the
hydraulic pump 13. The pulse generator 12 creates a series of pulses
in the pressure of the hydraulic fluid exiting therefrom. This pulsed
hydraulic fluid passes through pulse intensifier 28 which increases
the pressure of the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid exiting the pulse
generator 12. The pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid leaving pulse
intensifier 28 enters the cavity 16T of the actuator 14. In FIG. 2,
the actuator 14 is simply referred to as the piston/cylinder. The
force associated with the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid in the
cavity 16T causes the work 20 to be performed. The hydraulic fluid in
cavity 16B is forced through the return line 40, through the pulse
generator 12, and through line 34 back to the sump 11. Note that the
pulse intensifier 26 is coupled to the return header between the pulse
generator 12 and the sump 11. In a similar manner, as the pulse
generator 12 operates, the pulsed hydraulic fluid is supplied via the
pulse intensifier 30 to the bottom cavity 16B of the actuator 14, and
the return hydraulic fluid travels through line 38 back to the sump 11
via the pulse generator 12 and line 34. The flow paths alternate as
the pulse generator 12 operates.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a simplified system diagram, and a
corresponding functional block diagram, of another embodiment of the
pulse hydraulic system is shown and generally designated by reference
number 46. The system 46 includes a hydraulic fluid storage source or
sump 51 (see FIG. 4) for supplying the system 46 with hydraulic fluid,
such as hydraulic oil. A pressurizing source such as one or more
hydraulic pumps 53 (see FIG. 4) is coupled to the hydraulic sump 51
via line 74 for increasing the pressure of hydraulic fluid exiting
from the sump 51 into the pump 53. The sump 51 and the pump 53 are
coupled to a pulse generator 48 via lines 72 and 70, respectively.
Pulse generators such as pulse generator 48 are well known in the art,
and, in particular, the basic operation of a pulse generator is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174. The pulse generator 48 is
coupled to the hydraulic pump 53 for creating pulses in the pressure
of hydraulic fluid output from the pulse generator 48. Please note
that when the term hydraulic pump 53 is used, this may be interpreted
to mean one or more hydraulic pumps or other hydraulic fluid
pressurizing sources. The pulse generator 48 is coupled to the top
cavity 54T and the bottom cavity 54B of the actuator 52 via supply
line 60 and return line 62 and via supply line 66 and return line 64,
respectively. The actuator 52 has a piston 56 with a shaft 58 coupled
thereto for doing work. The basic operation of the pulse hydraulic
system 46 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to the operation of the
pulse hydraulic system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pulse hydraulic
system 46 is shown with only one accumulator 50 coupled between the
discharge header of the pump 53 and the pressure inlet for the pulse
generator 48, however, note that a plurality of accumulators could be
used in this system 46 as was discussed with respect to the system 10
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pulse hydraulic system 46 is shown with a
line 68 coupling the discharge header of the pump 53 directly to the
bottom cavity 54B of the actuator 52. Another line similar to line 68
could be used to couple the discharge header of the pump 53 directly
to the top cavity 54T of the actuator 52. The use of these lines
permits a user to apply non-pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid to the
actuator 52. It should be pointed out that these direct lines 68 (only
one is shown) from the discharge header of the pump 53 directly to the
actuator 52 could be implemented with a control valve to control the
flow there through.
Referring to FIG. 5A, an embodiment of the accumulator is shown and
generally designated by reference number 76. The accumulator 76 has a
housing 78, a cylindrical cavity 80 located within the housing 78 and
having a connection at an end 84 of the cavity 80 to a source of
hydraulic fluid. A piston 82 is free to move along a lengthwise axis
of the cylindrical cavity 80. A first spring 88 is disposed between
the end 84 of the cylindrical cavity 80 and a first end of the piston
82 and a second spring 86 is disposed between a second end of the
cylindrical cavity 80 and a second end of the piston 82. This
embodiment of the accumulator 76 could be used in the pulse hydraulic
system 10 for accumulators 22-26, and the accumulator 76 could be used
in the pulse hydraulic system 46 for accumulator 50. As previously
disclosed, temporary flow path blockage occurs due to the operation of
the pulse generator 12 or 48. Thus, during such temporary flow path
blockage, the accumulator 76 permits temporary storage of pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the system 10 or 46, and then when the flow paths
are re-established, the force due to the spring 86 returns the
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system 10 or 46. The spring 88 is
used to aid the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in forcing the piston
82 against the spring 86. The selection of the size and strength of
the springs 86 and 88 is a function of the pressure of the hydraulic
fluid.
Referring to FIG. 5B, another embodiment of the accumulator is shown
and generally designated by reference number 90. The accumulator 90
has a housing 92 and a cylindrical cavity 94 located within the
housing 92. The cylindrical cavity 94 has a connection at an end 98
thereof to a source of hydraulic fluid. A piston 96 is free to move
along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity 94. A plurality of
springs 100 and 102 are disposed between another end of the
cylindrical cavity 94 and an end of the piston 96. Note that the
piston 96 has a notch for receiving an end of spring 102. This
embodiment of the pulse intensifier 90 could be used in the pulse
hydraulic system 10 for accumulators 22-26, and the accumulator 90
could be used in the pulse hydraulic system 46 for accumulator 50.
During temporary flow path blockage, the accumulator 90 permits
temporary storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system 10 or
46, and then when the flow paths are re-established, the force due to
the spring 102 or the force due to both springs 100 and 102 returns
the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system 10 or 46. In other
words, under lower hydraulic fluid pressure, perhaps only spring 102
is used, whereas at a higher hydraulic fluid pressure, both springs
100 and 102 would be used to return the hydraulic fluid to the system
10 or 46. The selection of the size and strength of the springs 100
and 102 is a function of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
Referring to FIG. 5C, another embodiment of the accumulator is shown
and generally designated by reference number 106. The accumulator 106
has a housing 108 and a cylindrical cavity 110 located within the
housing 108. The cylindrical cavity 110 has a connection at an end 114
thereof to a source of hydraulic fluid. A piston 112 is free to move
along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity 110. A first spring
116 is disposed between the end 114 of the cylindrical cavity 110 and
a first end of the piston 112. A second spring 118 is disposed between
a second end of the cylindrical cavity 110 and a second end of the
piston 112. The second spring 118 comprises a bellville type spring
which is well known in the art. Basically, a bellville spring is a
plurality of curved discs having a hole in the center of each disc.
The plurality of curved discs are placed edge to edge in an
alternating manner between concave and convex curved discs. This
embodiment of the accumulator 106 could be used in the pulse hydraulic
system 10 for accumulators 22-26, and the accumulator 106 could be
used in the pulse hydraulic system 46 for accumulator 50. During
temporary flow path blockage, the accumulator 106 permits temporary
storage of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the system 10 or 46, and
then when the flow paths are re-established, the force due to the
spring 118 returns the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system 10 or
46. The spring 116 is used to aid the pressure of the hydraulic fluid
in forcing the piston 112 against the spring 118. The selection of the
size and strength of the springs 116 and 118 is a function of the
pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
Referring to FIG. 5D, yet another embodiment of the accumulator is
shown and generally designated by reference number 120. The
accumulator 120 has a housing 122 and a cylindrical cavity 124 located
within the housing 122. The cylindrical cavity 124 has a connection at
an end 130 thereof to a source of hydraulic fluid. A piston 126 is
free to move along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity 124. A
first spring 128 is disposed between the end 130 of the cylindrical
cavity 124 and a first end of the piston 126. A gas 132 such as
Nitrogen is disposed within a cavity 136 formed by the cylindrical
cavity 124 and a second end of the piston 126. An over pressure relief
valve (not shown) is connected at 134 to the cavity 136 in order to
prevent over pressurization of the cavity 136. Over pressure relief
valves are well known in the art. The connection 134 can also be used
to charge the cavity 136 with the gas 132. This embodiment of the
accumulator 120 could be used in the pulse hydraulic system 10 for
accumulators 22-26, and the accumulator 120 could be used in the pulse
hydraulic system 46 for accumulator 50. During temporary flow path
blockage, the accumulator 120 permits temporary storage of pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the system 10 or 46, and then when the flow paths
are re-established, the force due to the compressed gas 132 returns
the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system 10 or 46. The spring 128
is used to aid the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in forcing the
piston 126 against the force associated with the gas 132 being
compressed. The selection of the size and strength of the spring 128,
and the selection of gas type and initial pressure of the gas 132 is a
function of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
Referring to FIG. 5E, an embodiment of a pulse intensifier is shown
and generally designated by reference number 138. The pulse
intensifier 138 has a housing 140 and a cylindrical cavity 146 and 148
located within the housing 140. A first connection is made at an end
142 of the cavity 146 and 148 to a source of hydraulic fluid, and a
second connection is made at an opposite end 144 of the cavity 146 and
148 to another source of hydraulic fluid. A piston 154 is free to move
along a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical cavity 146 and 148. A shaft
156, having a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional
area of the piston 154, is coupled to the piston 154 and extends
through the second connection at the opposite end 144 of the
cylindrical cavity 146 and 148. A first spring 150 is disposed between
the end 142 of the cylindrical cavity 146 and 148 and a first end of
the piston 154, and a second spring 152 is disposed between the
opposite end 144 of the cylindrical cavity 146 and 148 and a second
end of the piston 154. This embodiment of the pulse intensifier 138
could be used in the pulse hydraulic system 10 for pulse intensifiers
28-30, or in lines 34 and 32. The use of the pulse intensifier 138 in
either of the pulse hydraulic systems 10 or 46 would be analogous to
the use of an amplifier in an electrical circuit, because the pulse
intensifier 138 takes the supply pressure P1 from the pulse generator
12 or 48 and causes the pressure P2 entering the actuator 14 or 52 to
exceed P1. The pulse intensifier 138 provides this pressure
amplification due to the cross-sectional area of the shaft 156, which
acts upon the hydraulic fluid entering the actuator 14 or 52, being
less than the cross-sectional area of the piston 154, which is acted
upon by the hydraulic fluid from the pulse generator 12 or 48. The
selection of the size and strength of the springs 150 and 152 will
also affect the amplification characteristics of the pulse intensifier
138.
It should again be pointed out that the accumulators 76, 90, 106, and
120 are designed for connection either between the pump discharge 13
or 53 and the pressure inlet of the pulse generator 12 or 48 or
between the return path from the pulse generator 12 or 48 and the sump
11 or 51. In contrast, the pulse intensifier 138 is intended to be
connected between one of the pulsed pressure outputs of the pulse
generator 12 or 48 and the actuator 14 or 52. There are numerous other
possible arrangements to permit an expansion volume for pressurized
hydraulic fluid. Thus, other types of accumulators similar in function
and operation to pulse intensifiers 76, 90, 106, and 120 may be
implemented with the pulse hydraulic systems 10 and 46. The key point
is that they must permit the expansion of a volume of pressurized
hydraulic fluid from a pulse hydraulic system and then return the
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system. Alternatively, there are
numerous other possible arrangements to permit pressure amplification
of a hydraulic fluid such as is done with the pulse intensifier 138.
Thus, other types of pulse intensifiers similar in function and
operation to the pulse intensifier 138 may be implemented with the
pulse hydraulic systems 10 and 46.
With this point in mind, FIGS. 10A and 10B show an alternative
embodiment that may be used with accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120.
Thus far, the accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120 have been shown having
only a single connection to a source of hydraulic fluid. In this case,
despite the fact that during the operation of the system 10 or 46,
hydraulic fluid would move in and out of the volume of any of the
accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120, it would be possible to have a
portion of this hydraulic fluid remain within any of the accumulators
76, 90, 106, and 120 for an extended period of time. This could result
in unwanted heating of the hydraulic fluid. Additionally, with only a
single flow path into each of the accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120,
it is possible that a portion of air could be caught between the inlet
to any one of the accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120 and the piston
surface therein. This is an undesirable condition. Consequently, any
of the accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120 can have more than one
input/output as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
Referring to FIG. 10A, a single accumulator having any of the
embodiments 76, 90, 106, and 120 could be connected between either the
discharge header of the pump 13 or 53 and the pressure inlet to the
pulse generator 12 or 48, or between the return header of the pulse
generator 12 or 48 and the sump 11 or 51. In the first case, the inlet
to the accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120 would be connected to the
discharge header of the pump 13 or 53 and the outlet of the pulse
intensifier 76, 90, 106, or 120 would be connected to the pressure
inlet to the pulse generator 12 or 48. In the second case, the inlet
to the accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120 would be connected to the
return header of the pulse generator 12 or 48 and the outlet of the
accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120 would be connected to the sump 11 or
51.
In a similar manner, a plurality of accumulators 76, 90, 106, or 120
could be connected in a chain arrangement as shown in FIG. 10B. The
inlet of the first accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120 in the chain would
be connected to either the discharge header of the pump 13 or 53 or to
the return header of the pulse generator 12 or 48. The outlet of the
last accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120 in the chain would be connected
to either the pressure side of the pulse generator 12 or 48 or the
sump 11 or 51. The only difference is that the outlet of each
accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120, except for the last one, is connected
to the inlet of an adjacent accumulator 76, 90, 106, or 120. With the
arrangement shown for accumulators 76, 90, 106, or 120 in FIGS. 10A
and 10B, the aforementioned potential heating and air accumulation
problems would be avoided.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, several views of a simplified pulse generator
12 or 48 are shown. It should be pointed out that a full description
of the operation of the pulse generator 12 or 48 is not necessary
because such information is well known to those skilled in the art,
and, furthermore, it is available is U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174. The
pulse generator 12 or 48 comprises a cylindrical member 158 having a
hollow, interior, cylindrical cavity. The cylindrical member 158 has a
plurality of separate, grooved, exterior surface portions 162-166
having a plurality of apertures 168. The chamber 162 receives
hydraulic fluid from the discharge of the pump 13 or 53. The second
164 and third 166 chambers are connected to the actuator 14 or 52 for
alternatively supplying the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid to the
actuator 14 or 52, and for returning the hydraulic fluid from the
actuator 14 or 52 to the sump 11 or 51 via the pulse generator 12 or
48. A rotor 160 is inserted within the hollow, interior, cylindrical
cavity of the cylindrical member 158. The rotor 160 has a plurality of
cavities 171 and 172 on an exterior surface thereof for creating the
pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid. The groove 170 of the rotor 160
aligns with the chamber 162 where pressurized hydraulic fluid is
provided from the pump 13 or 53. The pressurized hydraulic fluid
travels to the cavities 171 where the pressurized hydraulic fluid
exits through the apertures 168 in either chamber 164 or 166 depending
upon the relative position between the rotor 160 and the apertures
168. A source for rotating the rotor 160 such as an electric motor
(not shown) is provided. Assuming that the pressurized hydraulic fluid
travels to the cavities 171 corresponding to chamber 164, pulsed
pressure hydraulic fluid will be supplied to the actuator 14 or 52
from chamber 164. Thus, chamber 166 forms the return path, and the
cavities 172 corresponding to chamber 166 release hydraulic fluid to
return passage 176 and the hydraulic fluid exits the cylindrical
member 158 through aperture 174. As the rotor 160 rotates, the
chambers 164 and 166 alternate in providing the supply and return
paths to the actuator 14 or 52 via ports 178 and 180, and the
continuous series of interruption in providing flow paths to the
actuator 14 or 52 is what provides the pulses in the pressure of the
hydraulic fluid. Note that FIG. 8 shows a pressure supply line 182
from the pump 13 or 53 to the pulse generator 12 or 48. It should be
pointed out that the pulse generator 12 or 48 used in FIGS. 1-4
actually has six chambers as opposed to three chambers 162-166, but
this simplified explanation of the operation of the three chamber
pulse generator shown in FIGS. 6-9 is largely analogous to the
operation of the six chamber pulse generator 12 or 48 used in the
pulse hydraulic systems 10 and 46.
OPERATION
Referring to FIG. 1, one or more hydraulic pumps 13 draw hydraulic
fluid from the hydraulic sump 11 and discharge pressurized hydraulic
fluid to the pulse generator 12. The accumulators 22 and 24 are also
coupled to the discharge header of the hydraulic pump 13. The pulse
generator 12 creates a series of pulses in the pressure of the
hydraulic fluid exiting therefrom. This pulsed hydraulic fluid passes
through pulse intensifier 28 which increases the pressure of the
pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid exiting the pulse generator 12. The
pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid leaving pulse intensifier 28 enters
the cavity 16T of the actuator 14. The force associated with the
pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid in the cavity 16T causes the work 20
to be performed. The hydraulic fluid in cavity 16B is forced through
the return line 40, through the pulse generator 12, and through line
34 back to the sump 11. Note that the accumulator 26 is coupled to the
return header between the pulse generator 12 and the sump 11. In a
similar manner, as the pulse generator 12 operates, the pulsed
hydraulic fluid is supplied via the pulse intensifier 30 to the bottom
cavity 16B of the actuator 14, and the return hydraulic fluid travels
through line 38 back to the sump 11 via the pulse generator 12 and
line 34. The flow paths alternate as the pulse generator 12 operates.
Pulse generators such as pulse generator 12 are well known in the art,
and, in particular, the basic operation of a pulse generator is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174. The pulse generator 12 is
coupled to the hydraulic pump 13 for creating pulses in the pressure
of hydraulic fluid output from the pulse generator 12. As is described
in full detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174, the pulse generator 12 has
a plurality of separate chambers. One of these chambers is provided
for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump 13.
Please note that when the term hydraulic pump 13 is used, this may be
interpreted to mean one or more hydraulic pumps or other hydraulic
fluid pressurizing sources. Two additional chambers are provided for
supplying pulsed pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pulse generator
12 to an actuator 14, and for returning hydraulic fluid from the
actuator 14 to the sump 11 via the pulse generator 12. The two
additional chambers alternate between providing the supply path and
the return path. In practice, the pulse generator 12 or 48 of FIGS.
1-4 would have at least six different chambers, namely, one
corresponding to the pressurized hydraulic fluid discharge from the
pump 13, another corresponding to line 36 for supplying pulsed,
pressurized hydraulic fluid to the top 16T of the actuator 14, another
corresponding to line 38 for returning pressurized hydraulic fluid
from the top 16T of the actuator 14, another corresponding to line 42
for supplying pulsed, pressurized hydraulic fluid to the bottom 16B of
the actuator 14, another corresponding to line 40 for returning
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the bottom 16B of the actuator 14,
and another chamber for returning hydraulic fluid to the sump 11. When
pulsed, pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied via line 36 to the top
16T of the actuator 14, pressurized hydraulic fluid from the bottom
16B of the actuator 14 returns to the sump 11 via lines 34 and 40 and
the pulse generator 12. Similarly, when pulsed, pressurized hydraulic
fluid is supplied via line 42 to the bottom 16B of the actuator 14,
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the top 16T of the actuator 14
returns to the sump 11 via lines 34 and 38 and the pulse generator 12.
As the pulse generator 12 operates, the supply path for the pulsed,
pressurized hydraulic fluid and the return path are alternated from
the top 16T to the bottom 16B of the actuator 14, thereby causing the
piston 18 and the shaft 20 of the actuator 14 to vibrate.
Again referring to FIG. 1, the actuator 14 is coupled to the pulse
generator 12 for doing some kind of work. It should be pointed out
that U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,174 demonstrates some of the tasks that a
pulse hydraulic system can perform. It should also be pointed out that
those with skills well known in the hydraulics art could connect a
hydraulic motor or one or more spray nozzles to the pulse generator 12
in lieu of the actuator 14. Such a hydraulic motor would have a
rotating shaft with oscillations of rotation, and furthermore, each
spray nozzle would have a pulsed pressure spray.
Again, recall that as the rotor of the pulse generator 12 rotates, the
supply and return flow paths are established and, temporarily blocked
by closed portions of the rotor. Consequently, when the rotor
temporarily closes off the flow paths, the energy associated with the
discharge pressure of the pump 13 is not used for doing work. The
accumulators 22-24 provide a manner for storing the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the pump 13 discharge when the flow paths from
the pulse generator 12 to the actuator 14 are temporarily closed, and
then returning this stored, pressurized hydraulic fluid to the pump 13
discharge header when the flow paths from the pulse generator 12 to
the actuator 14 are re-established. One or more accumulators may be
used where accumulators 22 and 24 are shown. The rotational velocity
of the rotor of the pulse generator 12 determines the frequency of the
pulses in pressure of the hydraulic fluid. Different applications of
the system 10 sometimes require different frequency of the pulses.
Different types of accumulators and pulse intensifiers 22-30 respond
differently to different frequencies. Consequently, in order to cover
a broad range of operating frequencies of pulses, several accumulators
22 and 24, or more, may be connected in parallel between the discharge
of the pump 13 and the pressure input chamber of the pulse generator
12. Typically, only one accumulator 26 would be used between the pulse
generator 12 and the sump 11, however, more than one could be used
here as well. Any of the accumulators shown on FIGS. 5A-D, or
equivalents thereof, could be used for accumulators 22-26, while pulse
intensifiers 28 and 30 would use the pulse intensifier shown in FIG.
5E, or equivalents thereof. Whereas the accumulators 22-24 are used to
store hydraulic fluid from and subsequently return hydraulic fluid to
between the discharge of the pump 13 and the input chamber of the
pulse generator 12, pulse intensifiers 28 and 30 are used to increase
the pressure of the pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid leaving the pulse
generator 12 and entering either the top 16T or the bottom 16B,
respectively, of the actuator 14. Also, recall that any of
accumulators 76, 90, 106, and 120 can have either of the
configurations discussed with respect to FIGS. 10A and 10B.
The system 46 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 operates largely the same as that
discussed for FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception of line 68 which
permits a user to send non-pulsed pressure hydraulic fluid directly
from the pump 53 to the actuator 52.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, a housing containing the
pulse generator 12, the actuator 14, one or more accumulators and/or
pulse intensifiers 22-30, and the associated connecting lines for
coupling therebetween and for coupling to an external pump and sump
may have a vibration dampening material, such as rubber, on a portion
thereof in order to limit vibrations external to the housing.
Additionally, if desired, the actuator 14 may be provided with one or
more springs for helping to bias the piston 18. Also, the pressure
supply line 34 and the sump return line 32 could be combined into a
single co-axial line with the pressure supply line 34 surrounded and
isolated from the outer, co-axial sump return line 32.
(Source: US Patent and Trademark Office)
--- Patent ends here ---
Sources:
United States Patent and Trademark Office: Online Trademark Database
http://tess.uspto.gov/
United States Patent and Trademark Office: Online Patent Database
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/search-bool.html
Deutsches Patent-und Markenamt (German Patent and Trademark Office):
Online Database
https://dpinfo.dpma.de/index.html
UK Patent Office: Online Database
http://gb.espacenet.com/
NIC.com: Whois Database
http://www.nic.com/cgi-bin/whois.cgi
USA Export Directory Online: Sirex Pulse Hydraulic Systems
http://www.usaexporters.net/companyprofile.asp?catID=16909
Search terms used:
"Sirex Pulse Hydraulic"
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