The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 27, 1988
Filed:
Oct. 07, 1985
Gene Anderson, Geneseo, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A hydraulically actuated, energy efficient wheelchair utilizes a pair of identical wheelchair drive units, with each unit having a constant speed battery powered electric motor driving a hydraulic pump and associated hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid flow between each pump and its hydraulic motor is controlled by the operator through the use of a solenoid actuated proportional control valve to determine the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor. One of these hydraulic motors is mechanically coupled to each wheelchair drive wheel. Means are provided to discharge excess pressurized fluid upstream of the hydraulic motor so as to minimize the backpressure on the pump and to thereby conserve driving energy and increase battery life. A method for hydraulically driving the wheelchair is also disclosed.