Abstract: An assembly (10) forming part of a regenerative drive system for a motor lorry. The motor lorry has a driven train that is operatively associated with the assembly (10) so as to cause operation of the assembly (10) to store energy, or alternatively to be driven by the assembly (10) by depletion of energy stored by the assembly (10). The assembly (10) includes a variable angled swash plate pump/motor (11) that is drivingly associated with the drive train and the motor lorry. The assembly (10) includes a clutch (13) that is engaged when the motor lorry is de-accelerating, to cause the pump/motor (11) to be driven.

Abstract: An assembly (10) forming part of a regenerative drive system for a motor lorry. The motor lorry has a driven train that is operatively associated with the assembly (10) so as to cause operation of the assembly (10) to store energy, or alternatively to be driven by the assembly (10) by depletion of energy stored by the assembly (10). The assembly (10) includes a variable angled swash plate pump/motor (11) that is drivingly associated with the drive train and the motor lorry. The assembly (10) includes a clutch (13) that is engaged when the motor lorry is de-accelerating, to cause the pump/motor (11) to be driven.

Abstract: A drive assembly (10) for a regenerative drive system (11) that incorporates a pump/motor (12) and an electronic and a hydraulic control system (13). When incorporated in a motor lorry, and the motor lorry is de-accelerating a second clutch part (20) of the assembly (10) is engaged with a first clutch part (19) to thereby drive the pump/motor (12). The pump/motor (12) is rendered inoperative by operation of a clutch (18).

Abstract: The hydraulic regenerative drive system for a vehicle includes an electronic controller, a hydraulic control circuit that receives control signals from the electronic controller, a reservoir in fluid communication with the hydraulic control circuit, a pump/motor unit having a controlled-angle swash plate element providing variable displacement, an accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic control circuit and a pump/motor unit speed sensor and pump/motor unit pressure sensor providing measured speed and measured pressure signals to the electronic controller. The electronic controller generates a torque signal and a modified engine throttle signal on the basis of a mathematical model, converts the torque signal to a swash plate angle, and controls a controlled-torque retard mode of operation and a controlled torque propulsion mode of operation.

Abstract: An energy management system operable in three modes of operation including a driving mode to drive a vehicle drive shaft (110), a retarding mode to retard the vehicle drive shaft and a neutral mode to have no driving or retarding influence on the vehicle drive shaft. The system comprises an energy accumulator (100, 101) operable to store and release energy through receipt and release of fluid, a pump (104) having a pump drive shaft and being in fluid communication with the energy accumulator, a reservoir (107) of fluid in communication with the pump, and a coupler adapted to couple the pump to the vehicle drive shaft. In the retarding mode, the vehicle drive shaft drives the pump to pump fluid to the energy accumulator. In the driving mode, the energy accumulator releases fluid to drive the pump which drives the vehicle drive shaft. In the neutral mode, the pump is inoperative to exert any driving or retarding influence on the vehicle drive shaft.

Abstract: An energy management system operable in three modes of operation to either drive or retard the drive shaft (110) of a vehicle, or in a neutral mode, to have no driving or retarding influence on the drive shaft. The system includes energy accumulating means (100, 101) which is operable to store and release energy through receipt and release of fluid, pumping means (104) in fluid communication with the energy communication means (100, 101), a reservoir (107) of fluid in communication with the pumping means (104), and coupling means for coupling the pumping means (110) to the drive shaft (110). Whereby in the retarding mode of the system, the drive shaft (110) drives the pumping means (104) to pump fluid to the energy accumulating means (100, 101), and whereby in the driving mode of the system, the energy accumulating means (100, 101) releases fluid to drive the pumping means (104) which drives the drive shaft (110).

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid with ion exchange resins includes a main container having a bed of ion exchange resins through which passes the liquid to be treated, and a system for controlling automatically a cycle of regeneration of the ion exchange resins. A device is provided for, during regeneration of the ion exchange resins in the main container, continuing treatment of the liquid. Such device comprises an auxiliary container positioned within the main container and having a bed of ion exchange resins through which passes the liquid to be treated during regeneration of the ion exchange resins in the main container.

Abstract: An electronic control initiates and controls the regeneration sequence in a resin-type ion exchange apparatus of the type requiring periodic resin regeneration. The electronic control controls the regeneration steps of backwashing, brining and rinsing when respective predetermined fluid flow volumes stored in a memory means pass through the resin. The regeneration sequence may be initiated when a further predetermined fluid flow volume also stored in the memory means passes through the resin. A fluid hardness sensor measures the concentration of objectionable ions for selecting the most advantageous fluid flow volume between regeneration sequences. A brine conductivity sensor determines when the concentration of the regeneration agent falls below the concentration required for adequate regeneration of the resin. An outlet conductivity sensor enables discard or reprocessing of outlet fluid below a predetermined quality. A warning/service alert signals problems or failures in the ion exchange apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic control means for use in a resin-type ion exchange apparatus requiring periodic resin regeneration. A microprocessor operating in accordance with programs stored in a memory and predetermined constants entered by a programming means controls the initiation and operation of the regeneration sequence. According to one embodiment the regeneration sequence is initiated at predetermined times. According to another embodiment the regeneration sequence is initiated when a predetermined amount of fluid has passed through the ion exchange apparatus. During the regeneration sequence the electronic control means controls the valves for the regeneration steps of backwashing, brining, rinsing and sterilization.

Abstract: Sea water is purified by reverse osmosis in an offshore installation wherein sea water is withdrawn from the sea by a low pressure pump and passed through plural-stage physical filters having decreasing degrees of porosity to remove suspended particles and colloids from the sea water. The thus filtered sea water is then fed by a high pressure pump, at a controlled pressure above the osmotic pressure of the sea water to a reverse osmosis module, wherein a portion of the sea water permeates through a semi-permeable membrane of the module to form purified potable water, and wherein the remaining sea water, having the dissolved salt concentration thereof increased, is discharged back to the sea. The reverse osmosis module is operated such that the conversion level, measured in percent and equal to the volume of purified water divided by the volume of sea water fed to the module, is maintained below a maximum value to prevent the formation on the semi-permeable membrane of the module of sulfates and carbonates.