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:
Mar. 09, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 03, 1997
Ronald L Satzler, Princeville, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
The energy conversion system of the subject invention converts the energy from a source of pressurized fluid, such as a free-piston engine and a storage accumulator, to a work system at various pressure levels. This is accomplished by providing power modifying units which act to efficiently reduce the pressure level of the fluid from the source of pressurized fluid to the various pressure levels. A control arrangement monitors the operating pressures in the actuators and selects the path of pressurized fluid having the lowest pressure level needed to perform the task. Additionally, exhausted fluid containing energy is utilized by regenerating the fluid back to the inlet of the actuator or by directing it through the appropriate power modifying unit to amplify the pressure therein and supplement or recharge the source of pressurized fluid.