The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes devices and components to store fluids.
In some cases, accumulators may be used to temporarily or permanently store at least one fluid.
A number of variations may include a product having a fluid accumulator comprising, a housing and at least one movable piston wherein the piston separates an interior of the housing into a first chamber constructed and arranged for containing a first fluid, and a second chamber constructed and arranged for containing a second fluid, and wherein the first chamber has an first fluid inlet and a first fluid exhaust constructed and arranged to expel excess first fluid from the fluid accumulator and prevent first fluid from entering the second chamber.
A number of variations may include a method including providing a fluid accumulator comprising, a housing and at least one movable piston wherein the piston separates an interior of the housing into a first chamber constructed and arranged for containing a first fluid, and a second chamber constructed and arranged for containing a second fluid, and wherein the first chamber has an inlet and an exhaust constructed and arranged to expel excess fluid wherein the first chamber; moving first fluid into the first chamber to displace the piston; and expelling excess first fluid through the exhaust when the pressure provided in the second chamber is exceeded by the pressure provided by the first fluid at a certain value.
Other illustrative variations of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing optional variations of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Select examples of variations of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
In a number of variations, the engine 60 may have an engine start and stop system 66 that may switch off the engine 60 during “travel interruptions” such as, but not limited to, being stuck at traffic lights, and may be controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 68 that switches off or on the engine 60 during the travel interruptions. The ECU 68 may automatically restart the engine 60 when given a “restart signal” based on predetermined conditions. In a number of variations where the transmission 70 is a manual transmission, the engine 60 may be switched off when the vehicle 100 stops moving and/or as soon as the transmission 70 may be shifted into a neutral or idle mode and certain conditions (engine oil temperature, outside temperature, etc.) are fulfilled. The engine 60 may be automatically restarted by stepping on a driver actuated clutch pedal. In a number of variations where the transmission 70 is an automatic transmission, the transmission 70 may have a variety of transmission shift elements 210 (clutches, brakes, etc.) actuated by an electrohydraulic system 200 according to a preset parameter or condition. In a number of variations, the condition for actuation may be that the fluid pressure in the engine 60 or transmission 70 is adequately high.
In a number of variations, the engine start and stop system 66 may be electronic and controlled by the ECU 68 which ascertains the conditions for starting and stopping the engine 60 and causes actuation of the engine 60. In a number of variations, the engine 60 and/or transmission 70 may be actuated in response to conditions within their various components with variables such as temperature, pressure, or may be another parameter. In a number of variations, the variables may be determined by sensors (72) located in and around various components within the engine 60 and/or transmission 70. In a number of variations, the engine start and stop system 66 may be controlled as a result of operator actuation. In a number of variations, operator actuation may include stepping on a gas or brake pedal.
In a number of variations, the transmission 70, engine 60, axle, or another vehicle 100 component may include or be part of a hydraulic system 200. In a number of variations, the hydraulic system 200 may be used to lubricate moving parts within the vehicle or to provide hydraulic pressure to operate the transmission 70, engine 60, axle (not shown) or another vehicle 100 component. In a number of variations, a first fluid (which may be oil, water, or may be another fluid) may be distributed throughout the hydraulic system 200 via a network of fluid passages forming the fluid circuit 206 while the engine 60 may be running. However, when the engine 60 is not running and/or has remained off for an extended period of time (as during stop in a start stop system 66), fluid may drain into a sump 250 wherein upon engine 60 restart, the fluid may take an appreciable amount of time to resume operation of the transmission 70, engine 60, axle (not shown) or another vehicle 100 component. In a number of variations, the hydraulic system 200 may include an electrohydraulic control unit (EHCU) 202, a fluid pump 204, a fluid circuit 206, and an accumulator 10. In a number of variations, the EHCU may be a part of/or be the same component as, the ECU 68. In a number of variations, using a start stop system of the vehicle 66, the accumulator 10 may be constructed and arranged to accumulate fluid when the engine 60 may be on and retain fluid when the engine 60 may be turned off, and to discharge fluid into the fluid circuit 206 when the engine 60 may be restarted. In a number of variations, an accumulator 10 may provide stored hydraulic pressure, or more particularly the stored hydraulic first fluid, to lubricate and/or operate the transmission 70, engine 60, axle (not shown) or another vehicle 100 component through release of fluid pressure. In a number of variations, the accumulator 10 may be controlled by the EHCU 202, or ECU 68 to accumulate or discharge the first fluid at different times based on conditions. These conditions may be determined by the sensors 72 throughout the hydraulic system 200 and may include temperature, fluid pressure, transmission actuation, engine actuation, or may be another condition.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
In a number of variations, when the vale 34 unseats under the pressure differential favoring the transmission line pressure, the first fluid from the passage 216 enters passage 236 for filling the accumulator 10. When the line pressure supplied by the pump 204 is not greater than the pressure of the fluid already accumulated in hydraulic side chamber 22, the valve 234 seats, thus restricting fluid flow to the accumulator 10 (shown in
In a number of variations the solenoid 238 may controlled via an algorithm programmed into the ECU 68 and/or ECHU 202. In a number of variations, the ECU 68 and/or ECHU 202 governs, i.e. actuates, the solenoid 238 to open the valve 240 and introduce first fluid from the accumulator 10 into passage 216, thereby feeding the fluid to various transmission components (not shown) via passage 214. In a number of variations, valve 240 may be generally directed to open following a prolonged engine 60 shut down, which typically leads to a first fluid drain into a 250 sump, and a subsequent engine 60 restart. In a number of variations, providing pressurized fluid to the transmission components from the accumulator 10 immediately after an engine 60 restart, thereby affords full transmission operation without an otherwise likely delay. In a number of variations, the first fluid may drain from the accumulator 10 into the sump 250 via the exhaust 24 when the pressure provided by the gas accumulator chamber 14 may be at a specific value. In a number of variations, the exhaust 24 may open based on a signal from the ECU 68 and/or ECHU 202 based on a preset condition within the pump 204, powertrain 700, accumulator 10 and/or hydraulic system 200 based on the conditions it is receiving from the sensors 72. In a number of variations, the first fluid may drain from the accumulator 10 into the sump 250 via the exhaust 24 when the fluid in line pressure provided by pump 204 may be two times greater than the pressure provided by the gas accumulator chamber 14. In a number of variations, the first fluid may drain from the accumulator 10 into the sump 250 via the exhaust 24 when the fluid in line pressure provided by pump 204 may be three times greater than the pressure provided by the gas accumulator chamber 14. In a number of variations, the first fluid may drain from the accumulator 10 into the sump 250 via the exhaust 24 when the fluid in line pressure provided by pump 204 may be five times greater than the pressure provided by the gas accumulator chamber 14. In a number of variations, the first fluid may drain from the accumulator 10 into the sump 250 via the exhaust 24 when the fluid in line pressure provided by pump 204 may be ten times greater than the pressure provided by the gas accumulator chamber 14. In a number of variations, the valves 234 and/or 240 may be ball valves, butterfly valves, ceramic disc valves, check valves, choke valves, diaphragm valves, gate valves, globe valves, knife valves, needle valves, pinch valves, piston valves, plug valves, poppet valves, spool valves, thermal expansion valves, pressure reducing valves, combinations thereof, or may be another type.
In a number of variations shown in
In a number of variations, a method 900 (shown in
In a number of variations, as described in connection with
The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, product and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, product and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.
Variation 1 may include product comprising a fluid accumulator comprising, a housing and at least one movable piston wherein the piston separates an interior of the housing into a first chamber constructed and arranged for containing a first fluid, and a second chamber constructed and arranged for containing a second fluid, and wherein the first chamber has an first fluid inlet and a first fluid exhaust constructed and arranged to expel excess first fluid from the fluid accumulator and prevent first fluid from entering the second chamber.
Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the second chamber comprises a gas bladder constructed and arranged to contain the second fluid.
Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-2 wherein the fluid accumulator comprises a hydraulic side piston and a gas accumulator piston.
Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-3 wherein the fluid exhaust feeds into a sump.
Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-4 wherein the fluid accumulator further comprises seals.
Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5 wherein the fluid accumulator is connected to a transmission fluid hydraulic system and wherein the first fluid is transmission fluid.
Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-6 wherein the fluid accumulator is connected to an engine oil fluid hydraulic system and wherein the first fluid is engine oil.
Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in Variations 1-7 wherein the fluid accumulator is connected to an axle oil fluid hydraulic system and wherein the first fluid is axle oil.
Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 2-8 wherein the exhaust is not accessible to the second fluid.
Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-9 wherein the exhaust is not accessible to the second chamber.
Variation 11 may include a method including providing a fluid accumulator comprising, a housing comprising an opening and at least one movable piston wherein the piston separates an interior of the housing into a first chamber constructed and arranged for containing a first fluid, and a second chamber constructed and arranged for containing a second fluid, and wherein the housing has an exhaust constructed and arranged to expel excess fluid wherein the first chamber; moving first fluid into the first chamber to displace the piston; and expelling excess first fluid through the exhaust when the pressure provided in the second chamber is exceeded by the pressure provided by the first fluid at a certain value.
Variation 12 may include a method as set forth in Variation 11 wherein the second chamber comprises a gas bladder constructed and arranged to contain the second fluid.
Variation 13 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-12 wherein the fluid accumulator comprises a hydraulic side piston and a gas accumulator piston.
Variation 14 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-13 wherein the exhaust feeds into a sump.
Variation 15 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-14 wherein the fluid accumulator further comprises seals.
Variation 16 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-15 wherein the fluid accumulator is connected to a transmission fluid hydraulic system and wherein the first fluid is transmission fluid.
Variation 17 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-16 wherein the fluid accumulator is connected to an engine oil fluid hydraulic system and wherein the first fluid is engine oil.
Variation 18 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-17 wherein the fluid accumulator is connected to an axle oil fluid hydraulic system and wherein the first fluid is axle oil.
Variation 19 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 12-18 wherein the exhaust is not accessible to the second fluid.
Variation 20 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 11-19 wherein the exhaust is not accessible to the second chamber.
Variation 21 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-20 wherein the product is a part of a hydraulic system.
Variation 22 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variation 21 wherein the hydraulic system comprises a vehicle powertrain comprising an engine and a transmission.
Variation 23 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-22 wherein the engine has a start/stop system.
Variation 24 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-23 wherein the accumulator is controlled by an electrohydraulic control unit and/or electronic control unit and operates based on certain conditions within the hydraulic system.
Variation 25 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 24 wherein the conditions are determined by sensors throughout the hydraulic system and include temperature, fluid pressure, transmission actuation, or engine actuation.
Variation 26 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-25 wherein the accumulator is cast or molded.
Variation 26 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-25 wherein the housing comprises two sleeves and an end cap.
Variation 27 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-26 wherein the housing has an opening for the first fluid to enter and leave the accumulator.
Variation 28 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-27 wherein the gas accumulator piston is coupled to the hydraulic side piston.
Variation 29 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-28 wherein the gas accumulator piston and hydraulic side piston move independently of one another.
Variation 30 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-29 wherein sleeves and end cap are welded to the housing.
Variation 31 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-30 wherein the second fluid is gas, air, oil, or water.
Variation 32 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-31 wherein the gas accumulator chamber comprises a bladder for housing the second fluid comprising a rubber or polymeric material.
Variation 33 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-32 wherein the seals are o-ring, d-ring, or a-ring seals.
Variation 34 may include a method, and/or a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-33 wherein the exhaust feed excess first fluid into a sump.
Variation 35 may include a method for controlling a hydraulic system of a vehicle powertrain comprising an engine and a transmission wherein fluid line pressure is provided from the engine to the transmission when the engine is on and no fluid pressure is provided when the engine is off and wherein fluid pressure may be provided by a pump to a fluid passage wherein the pump is operative when the engine is on and inoperative when the engine is off.
Variation 36 may include a method as set forth in Variation 35 further including wherein fluid is accumulated in the accumulator when the engine is off.
Variation 37 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 35-36 further including the accumulator moving fluid into an exhaust when the line pressure exceeds a certain value.
Variation 38 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 35-37 wherein the fluid is discharged through the opening when the engine is restarted.
Variation 39 may include a product method as set forth in any of Variations 1-37 wherein the exhaust opens based on a signal from the ECU and/or ECHU based on a preset condition within the pump, powertrain, accumulator and/or hydraulic system based on the conditions it is receiving from the sensors.
The above description of select examples of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/107,670 filed Jan. 26, 2015.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2016/013135 | 1/13/2016 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62107670 | Jan 2015 | US |