초록 ▼

An energy conservation system for an earth-moving loading machine is comprised of one or more pressurized gaseous pistons that extend from the front of the frame of a loading machine to the boom assembly. Although this piston does not provide sufficient force to maintain the boom assembly in a raise

An energy conservation system for an earth-moving loading machine is comprised of one or more pressurized gaseous pistons that extend from the front of the frame of a loading machine to the boom assembly. Although this piston does not provide sufficient force to maintain the boom assembly in a raised position, a portion of the weight of the boom assembly and associated payload is always supported by the piston. This energy conservation system thus decreases the hydraulic horsepower needed to raise and lower the boom assembly and payload, or, in the alternative, decreases the cycle time required to raise and lower the boom assembly. The energy conservation system of the present invention into a loading machine also allows for a more controlled lowering of the boom assembly. Finally, the lowering of the boom assembly stores a portion of the potential energy by compressing the gaseous contents of the piston back to essentially the same pressure that existed prior to the raising of the boom assembly, thereby conserving energy.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A loading machine for raising and transporting a payload, comprising:a base structure providing underlying support to said loading machine; a frame secured to said base structure; a boom assembly pivotably connected to said frame for rotating about a first substantially horizontal pivot axis betw

1. A loading machine for raising and transporting a payload, comprising:a base structure providing underlying support to said loading machine; a frame secured to said base structure; a boom assembly pivotably connected to said frame for rotating about a first substantially horizontal pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered postition, said boom assembly including a bucket for carrying a payload, the weight of said boom assembly and said payload generating a torque about said first substantially horizontal pivot axis in a first direction; one or more hydraulic boom hoist cylinders for raising and lowering said boom assembly between said raised and lowered positions, rotating said boom assembly about said first substantially horizontal pivot axis; and an energy conservation piston pivotably secured at a first end to said frame and pivotably secured at a second location to the boom assembly, said energy conservation piston having an energy-storing portion when said boom assembly is in the lowered position and providing an axial force that generates a torque about said first substantially horizontal pivot axis in a second direction, thereby offsetting the torque generated by the weight of said boom assembly and said payload acting in said first direction.