Abstract: A piston unit is disclosed that utilizes an elastic volume to store and release energy with each stroke by varying the hydraulic fluid volumes in and out of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A gear hub assembly is disclosed that has a sealed housing that includes an input gear and an output gear that are meshed together to provide a gear pump to move fluid between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on opposite sides of engagement of the input and output gear. The housing defines an axle shaft-receiving aperture and a wheel spindle-receiving aperture to allow the gear hub assembly to transmit torque from a vehicle axle shaft to a wheel spindle while operating as a gear pump. The fluid inlet and outlets can be coupled to a hydraulic system to provide braking (or kinetic energy recovery) by restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid which in turn resists rotation of the gears in the gear hub, and thus can act to slow the vehicle.

Abstract: A gear hub assembly is disclosed that has a sealed housing that includes an input gear and an output gear that are meshed together to provide a gear pump to move fluid between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on opposite sides of engagement of the input and output gear. The housing defines an axle shaft-receiving aperture and a wheel spindle-receiving aperture to allow the gear hub assembly to transmit torque from a vehicle axle shaft to a wheel spindle while operating as a gear pump. The fluid inlet and outlets can be coupled to a hydraulic system to provide braking (or kinetic energy recovery) by restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid which in turn resists rotation of the gears in the gear hub, and thus can act to slow the vehicle.

Abstract: A piston-in-piston hydraulic unit is disclosed that utilises an elastic volume to store and release energy with each stroke by varying the hydraulic fluid volumes in and out of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: An air pump is provided that is configured to move and compress air into an air storage vessel at high pressure. The air pump is operable to move large volumes of air against low resistance for rapid filling of an air storage vessel.

Abstract: A piston unit is disclosed that utilises an elastic volume to store and release energy with each stroke by varying the hydraulic fluid volumes in and out of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A piston-in-piston hydraulic unit is disclosed that utilises an elastic volume to store and release energy with each stroke by varying the hydraulic fluid volumes in and out of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio system for use in a reciprocating-piston engine. The system allows the compression ratio in a combustion cylinder of the engine to be varied by varying the distance from a combustion chamber facing surface of a piston to the center of pivotal connection of a connecting rod to a crankshaft. The distance is varied responsive to the supply and withdrawal of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is supplied and discharged by a slave pump pivotally connected to the connecting rod at a first end and pivotally connected to a stationary point at a second end. The slave pump supplies and withdraws hydraulic fluid responsive to the rotation of the crankshaft and a hydraulic backpressure controlled using a pressure control valve.

Abstract: A regenerative brake system and a variable displacement pump/motor for use therein. Each cylinder of the pump/motor having a main piston and a second piston between which is defined a space for hydraulic fluid, and a resilient element acting on the second piston to bias it toward the main piston. Variable displacement is achieved by controlling a volume of pressurized fluid that is injected and exhausted between the main and second pistons. Brake, drive and neutral modes of operation of the pump/motor are achieved by controlling the timing (relative to a drive shaft phase) of the injection and exhaust of the fluid. Regeneration is achieved by storing pressurized fluid generated by the pump/motor in an accumulator in brake mode and using the stored pressurized fluid to power the pump/motor in drive mode.

Abstract: A regeneration system for use in a vehicle having a reciprocating-piston engine. The regeneration system captures energy (e.g. braking energy), stores the energy, and subsequently uses the stored energy to generate motive power for the vehicle. The motive power can be generated in conjunction with motive power provided by the engine. The regeneration system comprises a variable displacement pump/motor that is connected to a connecting rod in each cylinder of the engine. The pump/motor comprises a fluid chamber, a primary piston mechanically coupled to the connecting rod and a slave piston coupled to the primary piston via resilient means. A control unit controls a plurality of valves to direct the exchange of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the pump/motor and a hydraulic accumulator in synchronous timing with the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio system for use in a reciprocating-piston engine. The system allows the compression ratio in a combustion cylinder of the engine to be varied by varying the distance from a combustion chamber facing surface of a piston to the center of pivotal connection of a connecting rod to a crankshaft. The distance is varied responsive to the supply and withdrawal of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is supplied and discharged by a slave pump pivotally connected to the connecting rod at a first end and pivotally connected to a stationary point at a second end. The slave pump supplies and withdraws hydraulic fluid responsive to the rotation of the crankshaft and a hydraulic backpressure controlled using a pressure control valve.

Abstract: A regeneration system for use in a vehicle having a reciprocating-piston engine. The regeneration system captures energy (e.g. braking energy), stores the energy, and subsequently uses the stored energy to generate motive power for the vehicle. The motive power can be generated in conjunction with motive power provided by the engine. The regeneration system comprises a variable displacement pump/motor that is connected to a connecting rod in each cylinder of the engine. The pump/motor comprises a fluid chamber, a primary piston mechanically coupled to the connecting rod and a slave piston coupled to the primary piston via resilient means. A control unit controls a plurality of valves to direct the exchange of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the pump/motor and a hydraulic accumulator in synchronous timing with the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A regenerative brake system and a variable displacement pump/motor for use therein. Each cylinder of the pump/motor having a main piston and a second piston between which is defined a space for hydraulic fluid, and a resilient element acting on the second piston to bias it toward the main piston. Variable displacement is achieved by controlling a volume of pressurized fluid that is injected and exhausted between the main and second pistons. Brake, drive and neutral modes of operation of the pump/motor are achieved by controlling the timing (relative to a drive shaft phase) of the injection and exhaust of the fluid. Regeneration is achieved by storing pressurized fluid generated by the pump/motor in an accumulator in brake mode and using the stored pressurized fluid to power the pump/motor in drive mode.

Abstract: An antilock brake system for use with a self-energizing brake system having hydraulic interconnected actuators that act on an eccentric rotor and a brake exciter that provides for disengagement of the actuators from the rotor. The antilock brake system has wheel speed sensors that provide for a control module to determine when a wheel is in a state of immanent brake lock-up and to generate a control signal. Responsive to the control signal a brake disengagement module provides for regulation of the brake force generated by the brake system by alternately causing the exciter to operate the actuators to disengage and to re-engage the rotor.

Abstract: A variable angle cam-drive engine in which the torque output generated at a given engine speed (as represented by, for example, piston reciprocation frequency) can be varied by changing the operating angle of cam mechanisms in a power conversion mechanism of the engine. A power conversion mechanism, having a plurality of cam mechanisms and a cam-angle mechanism, for use in a variable angle cam-drive engine that can vary the torque output generated at a given engine speed by changing the cam-angle of the plurality of cam mechanisms using the cam-angle mechanism.

Abstract: An antilock brake system for use with a self-energizing brake system having hydraulic interconnected actuators that act on an eccentric rotor and a brake exciter that provides for disengagement of the actuators from the rotor. The antilock brake system has wheel speed sensors that provide for a control module to determine when a wheel is in a state of immanent brake lock-up and to generate a control signal. Responsive to the control signal a brake disengagement module provides for regulation of the brake force generated by the brake system by alternately causing the exciter to operate the actuators to disengage and to re-engage the rotor.

Abstract: A brake system according to the present invention comprises an eccentric rotor and a brake effecter module. The brake effecter module has a pair of hydraulically interconnected actuators, a brake control valve and a brake exciter. Each of the pair of actuators can engage a different point on the eccentric rotor. The brake control valve effects braking by restricting the flow of a working fluid that is pumped in and out by each of the actuators as they engage the rotating rotor. The degree of restriction to the flow of the working fluid can be varied to adjust the amount of braking force applied. The brake system is self-energizing in that it is not reliant on a substantial external source of energy to effect braking. The energy required to pump the working fluid is derived from the rotation of the rotor. The brake exciter provides for disengagement of the actuators from the rotor when braking force is not being applied.

Abstract: A braking system comprised of a rotor, a plurality of actuators, a brake control unit and a by-pass valve. When in a brake-on mode of operation, the brake control unit effects braking by restricting the flow of a working fluid that is pumped in and out by each of the plurality of actuators as they engage the rotating rotor. The degree of restriction to the flow of the working fluid can be varied to adjust the amount of braking force applied. The brake system is self-energizing in that it is not reliant on a substantial external source to create the operating pressure necessary to effect braking. Operating the by-pass valve into a by-pass on position effectively negates the generation of braking forces normally resulting from operation into the brake-on mode of operation while still allowing the actuators to engage the rotor and working fluid to be circulated.

Abstract: A regenerative brake system and a variable displacement pump/motor for use therein. Each cylinder of the pump/motor having a main piston and a second piston between which is defined a space for hydraulic fluid, and a resilient element acting on the second piston to bias it toward the main piston. Variable displacement is achieved by controlling a volume of pressurized fluid that is injected and exhausted between the main and second pistons. Brake, drive and neutral modes of operation of the pump/motor are achieved by controlling the timing (relative to a drive shaft phase) of the injection and exhaust of the fluid. Regeneration is achieved by storing pressurized fluid generated by the pump/motor in an accumulator in brake mode and using the stored pressurized fluid to power the pump/motor in drive mode.

Abstract: A regenerative brake system and a variable displacement pump/motor for use therein. Each cylinder of the pump/motor having a main piston and a second piston between which is defined a space for hydraulic fluid, and a resilient element acting on the second piston to bias it toward the main piston. Variable displacement is achieved by controlling a volume of pressurized fluid that is injected and exhausted between the main and second pistons. Brake, drive and neutral modes of operation of the pump/motor are achieved by controlling the timing (relative to a drive shaft phase) of the injection and exhaust of the fluid. Regeneration is achieved by storing pressurized fluid generated by the pump/motor in an accumulator in brake mode and using the stored pressurized fluid to power the pump/motor in drive mode.