Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Danfoss Power Solutions Ii Technology A/s

David Loren Makis

Timothy Isaac Meehan

Michael William Olson

Don Rulon Draper

Hassan Al-Atat

Paul Brenner

Brian Lewis Van Batavia

Michael J Voigt

Rajkiran Bhagwat Rokade

David S Remba

A hydraulic system for a mobile work vehicle is configurable in a hybrid mode and a hydrostatic mode. The hydraulic system includes a pump/motor, a propel circuit, a pump, a hydraulic accumulator, and an accessory circuit. The pump/motor is adapted to exchange power with a drive train of the mobile work vehicle. The propel circuit is adapted to exchange hydraulic fluid power with the pump/motor. The pump is adapted to transfer power from a prime mover of the mobile work vehicle to the propel circuit. The hydraulic accumulator is adapted to exchange hydraulic fluid power via an accumulator isolation valve with the propel circuit when the hydraulic system is configured in the hybrid mode. The accessory circuit is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid power from the hydraulic accumulator, at least when the hydraulic system is configured in the hydrostatic mode and the accumulator isolation valve is closed.

Hydraulic hybrid propel circuit with hydrostatic option and method of operation

A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit and a sensor for sensing a characteristic of hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic circuit. An energy harvester is configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic circuit. A controller interfaces with the sensor and is powered at least in part by the energy harvester. Various types of sensors are employed, including pressure and temperature sensors. A battery may further be included for powering the controller in addition to the energy harvester.

Hydraulic system sensor

Electronics enclosure

A vehicle drivetrain has a first driver, a first clutch to selectively couple the first driver with an engine, an energy storage device coupled to the first driver, a second driver coupled to the energy storage device and connected to a driveshaft, and a second clutch that selectively couples the first and second drivers. In one embodiment, the first clutch is opened and the second clutch is closed during a vehicle operating condition requiring high torque, the first clutch is closed and the second clutch is opened during a transient vehicle operating condition, and the first clutch and the second clutch are closed during a steady-state vehicle operating condition. Additional clutches may be included to reduce energy losses or provide multiple mechanical ratios. The drivers themselves may be pumps, motors, generators, combined pump/motors, or combined motor/generators, making the invention suitable for both hydraulic implementation and electric implementation.

Hybrid hydraulic drive system architecture

Growing community of inventors

Shakopee, MN, United States of America

David Loren Makis