Mechanism For The Recovery Of Energy In Self-Propelled Vehicles
The invention relates to a mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles. The inventive mechanism consists of either: (a) a balanced rotary compressor with tangential pistons, comprising two or more cylinders which are connected to a crank having two or more pins; or (b) a rotary compressor with tangential pistons, comprising an extendible crank. The novel system enables the recovery of wasted energy in motor vehicles in the form of pneumatic pressure for the possible use thereof in auxiliary systems belonging to the vehicle or in the engine.
1. Field of the Invention
The object of the present specification is to set forth a novel system for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles by means of a balanced rotary compressor with tangential pistons comprising two or more cylinders which are connected to a crank having two or more pins or a rotary compressor with tangential pistons, compromising an extendible crank. This novel system enables the recovery of wasted energy in motor vehicles in the form of pneumatic pressure for the possible use thereof in auxiliary systems belonging to the vehicle or in the engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most of the energy currently produced by the engines in self-propelled vehicles is consumed in deceleration, especially in large cities, causing additional consumptions, as well as the necessary continuous braking systems.
In addition to the drawback set forth, the main defect of rotary compressors with tangential pistons proposed to date is that the elements with internal shifting during the rotation of the assembly are not balanced, and their use at certain revolutions causes mechanical vibrations limiting their use and reducing the useful life thereof.
The applicant, who is a person skilled in the art, is not aware of a balanced rotary compressor having the features of the compressor described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis novel mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles, based on either a balanced rotary compressor with tangential pistons comprising two or more cylinders and a crank having two or more pins, or a rotary compressor with tangential pistons comprising an extendible crank, is set forth to palliate, or where applicable, eliminate the drawbacks discussed above.
In the balanced compressor with tangential pistons, the block rotates connected to the drive shaft through a clutch which is actuated upon applying the brake of the vehicle and the crank remains fixed to the structure or support. When the rotation starts, the grooved inner arm of the pivoted lever slides on the pin of the crank and makes it tilt on a shaft, this angular movement is transmitted to the outer arm of the lever, which by means of a connecting rod converts it into an alternative linear path to the piston of its cylinder. Therefore, each rotation of the block causes a complete cycle of the piston.
The pistons of the cylinders are diametrically opposite and are actuated by pins of the shaft that are equally shifted 180°. In this way, the elements with inner shifting, such as pistons, connecting rods and pivoted levers, maintain at all times a 180° shift with its pair, achieving a homogeneous distribution of masses and balancing the assembly.
This homogeneous and balanced distribution is also valid for compressors with an odd number of cylinders, although in this case the balancing is in its assembly, in this way, the pistons of each cylinder are operated by pins angularly shifted the same number of degrees as the cylinders (for example, in the cylinders located at 120° to each other, their pistons are actuated by pins also located at 120° to each other) therefore they maintain a uniform distribution of masses during the rotation, with a constant balancing.
The crank and the inner part of the pivoted lever are located in a sealed central chamber and the outer part of this lever with the connecting rod and the piston in the other, separated by the rotating shaft of this pivoted lever.
The necessary elements completing the compressor, the cylinder head and the cover of the check valves, inlet and outlet ducts, are located in the upper part of the cylinder. The compressed air outlet is sent to a suitable container through the front shaft of the compressor and a rotary joint.
The rotation of the block also favors the dissipation of heat generated during the compression and together with the absence of vibrations, makes it especially suitable for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles, connected to the drive shaft thereof by means of a clutch actuated upon applying the brake of the vehicle.
On the other hand, the compressor comprising an extendible crank is formed by a block with two or more cylinders and a crank with a single extendible pin, to which the pistons are coupled by means of a pivoted lever and a connecting rod for each cylinder, the block rotates connected to the drive shaft of the vehicle and the crank remains fixed joined to the structure of the vehicle. The crank is formed by a cylinder joined to the fixing shaft and a rod with the pin, the shaft and the cylinder have an inner duct through which air or liquid flows under pressure, actuating the rod by extending it when the brake of the vehicle is applied.
To complement the description being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention a series of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof in which the following has been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:
As can be seen in
The pistons (13) of the cylinders (12) that are diametrically opposite are actuated by pins (15) of the crank (14) that are equally shifted 180°. In this way, the elements having an inner shifting, such as pistons (13), connecting rods (18) and pivoted levers, maintain at all times a 180° shift with their pair, achieving a homogeneous distribution of masses and balancing the assembly.
As can be observed in
The necessary elements completing the balanced rotary compressor, the cylinder head (120), the cover of the check valves, the air inlet and outlet ducts, are located in the upper part of the cylinder (12). The compressed air outlet (121) is sent to a suitable container through the front shaft of the compressor and a rotary joint (19).
The mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles based on the compressor comprising an extendible crank (
As can be observed in
As has just been mentioned, during the rotation of the block (21), the pistons (23) remain in a neutral position and the rod remains retracted; when the brake is actuated, pressure is sent to the cylinder (22), the rod and the pin (25) extend and the pistons (23) move in an alternative linear path up to their limit, driven by the angular movement caused by the pin (25) and the pivoted lever (26). This extension is limited by the two grooves (214) made in the rod, in which two lugs (215) fixed to the driving cylinder (22) slide and which at the same time maintain the orientation of the pin (25). The position of the rod is determined by a control valve consisting of a piston (216) actuated by the brake and another piston (217) regulating the maximum pressure in the air storage system, a solenoid (218) is also provided which is activated in the event that a minimum pressure is needed in the system, which by means of a pressure switch actuates the system independently of the situation of the brake.
The crank (24) and the inner part of the pivoted arm (26) are located in a sealed central chamber and the outer part of said lever (26), with the connecting rod (28) and the piston (23) in another one, separated by the rotating shaft (27) of this pivoted lever (26). This arrangement facilitates the individual lubrication of each chamber, and allows the air to be drawn from the rear chamber of the cylinder (22), through a check valve during the forward run of the piston (23), and injected during the return through the duct (124) into the compression chamber.
Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention as well as a way of carrying it out to practice, it is necessary to state that the intervention may undergo certain variations in shape and in materials provided that said alterations do not substantially change the features which are claimed below.
Claims
1. A mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles consisting of a compressor with tangential pistons, a mechanism contained in two circular parts coupled to each other, wherein one or more pistons tangential to the rotating shaft, coupled to the outer arm of one or more pivoted levers pivoting on a shaft, are actuated by a crank with a single pin sliding on the groove made in the inner arm upon rotating the shaft or the block and essentially characterized in that in this mechanism with two or more pistons (13), each one is actuated individually by an independent pin (15), separated from one another by the same number of degrees as the cylinders (12) containing them and another group with the same number can be added, in any angular position with respect to the previous one but which must be the same as each other so as to be actuated by the same pins. This improvement is for the purpose of enabling balancing the assembly during the rotation of the block (11).
2. A mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles consisting of a compressor with tangential pistons, characterized in that the crank (14) and the grooved inner arms of the pivoted lever (16), which are actuated by the pins, are located in a sealed central chamber separated from the rear chambers of the cylinders by the rotating shaft of the latter, for the purpose of facilitating the lubrication and maintaining them independent.
3. A mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles consisting of a compressor with tangential pistons, characterized in that the air is drawn from the rear chamber of the cylinder through a check valve (123) during the forward shifting of the piston and injected into the compression chamber in its return through a duct (124) made for that purpose.
4. A mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles consisting of a compressor according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it is connected to the drive shaft of a vehicle by means of a clutch which is activated upon actuating the brake thereof, the block rotating with all its elements (cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and pivoted lever) whereas the crank remains fixed to the structure taking advantage of the kinetic energy to compress air, exiting through a rotary valve (19) located in the front shaft of the compressor and to be stored in a suitable container for its subsequent use.
5. A mechanism for the recovery of energy in self-propelled vehicles consisting of a compressor with tangential pistons with a single extendible pin according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the block (21) with all its elements (cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and pivoted lever) rotates joined to the drive shaft of the vehicle, either by gears, belts or other means, and the crank remains fixed to the structure. This extendible crank consists of a pin (25) joined to the end of a rod (213) with side grooves (214) and a sealing gasket in the lower end, contained in a cylinder (211) joined to the shaft (210) of the crank, both of them perforated (212) so as to allow the passage of pressure (pneumatic or hydraulic) to the base of the cylinder. During the running of the vehicle, the rod remains retracted, the pin centered and the pistons inactive, when the brake is applied, pressure is sent to the cylinder, the rod extends up to its maximum run, oriented and limited by two lugs (215) threaded to the cylinder, which lugs slide on the side grooves of the rod, causing the movement of the pivoted levers and the pistons, compressing air which is sent to a container through a rotary valve (19) located in the front shaft of the compressor. When the brake is deactivated, the driving agent is returned and the air pressure exerted on the pistons retracts the pin and the compressor is left without a load. The actuation of this mechanism is controlled by a valve (FIG. 7) which can have pressure protection and regulation so as to activate the system when needed or deactivate it during the driving in reverse, or others.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 21, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 18, 2009
Inventor: Francisco Javier Ruiz Martinez (Palmanyola-Baleares)
Application Number: 11/568,453
International Classification: F04B 7/00 (20060101);