초록 ▼

A method and apparatus uses energy in an energy output system having a main power source, an energy transmission system and a mechanical output. A first portion of energy generated with the main power source is used to drive the mechanical output under operating conditions. The unused second portion

A method and apparatus uses energy in an energy output system having a main power source, an energy transmission system and a mechanical output. A first portion of energy generated with the main power source is used to drive the mechanical output under operating conditions. The unused second portion of the energy is diverted to an energy storing means. The second portion of energy is then stored and regenerated on demand. The energy may be used directly to augment the energy requirements in the energy output system during peak periods. In a specific embodiment, a compressed air system is used for storing the energy not used in driving a mechanical output connected to the power source by an energy transmission assembly. The energy transmission in the energy output system is a hydraulic fluid transmission system. A hydraulic fluid diverting mechanism is used to maintain the flow of hydraulic fluid to the mechanical output and to the compressed air energy storage system.

대표청구항 ▼

In a system having a power source driving a mechanical output means through an energy transmission system, a compressed fluid system for storing kinetic energy not used in driving the mechanical output means connected to a power source by an energy transmission assembly, said compressed fluid system

In a system having a power source driving a mechanical output means through an energy transmission system, a compressed fluid system for storing kinetic energy not used in driving the mechanical output means connected to a power source by an energy transmission assembly, said compressed fluid system comprising: (a) storing means for maintaining stored amounts of compressed fluid, (b) means for compressing fluid from a continuous supply of fluid for said storing means, (c) drive means for operating said fluid compressing means to direct fluid from said continuous supply to said storing means, and (d) diverting means connected between said transmission assembly and said drive means for directing the amount of said kinetic energy proportionally not used in driving said mechanical output means away from said transmission assembly to said drive means, (e) said drive means being effective to produce a stored amount of compressed fluid from said continuous supply by operating said fluid compressing means, (f) said stored amount being directly related to said proportionally directed amount of kinetic energy, (g) means connected to said energy transmission assembly to recapture kinetic energy on demand from the stored amounts of compressed fluid produced by said diverted unused kinetic energy for driving said mechnical output means.