Abstract: An accumulator assembly comprises an accumulator cylinder formed of a cylindrical, gas-impermeable shell and a cylindrical gas-impermeable sleeve disposed within and substantially concentric with the shell. An interstitial space is formed between the sleeve and the shell. A piston slidably is disposed within the sleeve, the piston separating an interior of the sleeve into a first chamber configured to contain a compressed gas, and a second chamber configured to contain a pressurized fluid. A pair of removable axial closures retained to the gas-impermeable sleeve at opposing ends and sealingly engaged with corresponding opposing ends of the gas-impermeable shell is configured to provide maximum resistance to the tensional stress of the sleeve.

Abstract: A hoseless hydraulic system is provided which addresses certain safety and efficiency issues known in the art. The hydraulic system includes a shell, an accumulator disposed within the shell, a hydraulic pump at least partly disposed within the shell, and at least one hydraulic motor at least partly disposed within the shell. High pressure fluid communication conduits are substantially located within the shell. The only communication across the shell boundary is mechanical power in, mechanical power out, control signals in, and sensor signals out.

Abstract: A transmission braking system includes a vehicle drive train and at least one hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor includes a front shaft and a rear shaft. The rear shaft has an anti-rotation element. An engagement mechanism is slidably affixed to the vehicle drive train, and selectively couples with the anti-rotation element to militate against a rotation of the front and rear shafts. A four-wheel locking system is also provided. The four wheel locking system includes a shaft-coupling engagement mechanism slidably affixed to one of the hydraulic motors. The shaft-coupling engagement mechanism selectively couples with the anti-rotation elements of the motors for allowing a summing of the output torque. The transmission braking system and the four-wheel locking system may be provided in a combined system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the logic of a spool valve including providing a valve block having a bore and a plurality of ports formed therein, the ports in fluid communication with the bore. A spool is selectively movable in the valve block and in fluid communication with the ports. A plurality of annular laminates is located on the spool, wherein each of the annular laminates comprises an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The outer diameter of each of the annular laminates seals against the bore and the inner diameter seals against the spool. A laminate plug is secured within the bore and compresses the annular laminates within the bore. Guiding the annular laminates by the spool controls the logic of the spool valve.

Abstract: A telescoping gear pump comprises a bolt, a Bellville washer, a wear plate, a seal housing, a seal spring, a spur gear including a wear lobe, a seal ring and a case drain path, a shaft, a ring gear including a wear lobe, seal ring, and a case drain path, seal, a bolt assembly including a Bellville washer and bolt, and a pressure plate. The assembly provides pressure to a fluid to maintain a seal within a telescoping pump/motor during operation. The wear lobe reduces wear while maintaining fluid pressure.

Abstract: An accumulator assembly comprises an accumulator cylinder formed of a cylindrical, gas-impermeable shell and a cylindrical gas-impermeable sleeve disposed within and substantially concentric with the shell. An interstitial space is formed between the sleeve and the shell. A piston slidably is disposed within the sleeve, the piston separating an interior of the sleeve into a first chamber configured to contain a compressed gas, and a second chamber configured to contain a pressurized fluid. A pair of removable axial closures retained to the gas-impermeable sleeve at opposing ends and sealingly engaged with corresponding opposing ends of the gas-impermeable shell is configured to provide maximum resistance to the tensional stress of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is a three forward speed gearbox with reverse from a single planetary gearset. The forward speed ratios include a low gear, one to one, and overdrive. The reverse gear ratio is identical with the low gear. Forward rotation of the output shaft in first gear is accomplished by reversing the direction of the input motor. This is easily achieved from a bi-directional prime mover such as a hydraulic motor or electric motor. Another advantage of using a bi-directional prime mover is that the bi-directional rotation of the input shaft provides forward, reverse and back drive to accumulate energy in an accumulator.

Abstract: A low noise gear set for use generally and preferably with a power plant having an engine driving a pump connected to a low pressure fluid source, generating high pressure fluid at an output. The idle gear meshes with the drive gear along two points of the profile of the corresponding gears. The first point being the root of one gear tooth meshing with the tip of the opposite gear tooth creating an initial first contact point and a subsequent second point along the profile when the teeth are disengaging at the first point and engaging at the second point, forming a sealed area, allowing the fluid to hydrostatically escape between the points.

Abstract: Rotary seals in a telescoping gear pump/motor a feature that allows the seal to shift radially relative to other components while maintaining the seal integrity and without compromising the function of the bearings or the bushings needed to bear the load.

Abstract: A hoseless hydraulic system is provided which addresses certain safety and efficiency issues known in the art. The hydraulic system includes a shell, an accumulator disposed within the shell, a hydraulic pump at least partly disposed within the shell, and at least one hydraulic motor at least partly disposed within the shell. High pressure fluid communication conduits are substantially located within the shell. The only communication across the shell boundary is mechanical power in, mechanical power out, control signals in, and sensor signals out.

Abstract: A transmission braking system includes a vehicle drive train and at least one hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor includes a front shaft and a rear shaft. The rear shaft has an anti-rotation element. An engagement mechanism is slidably affixed to the vehicle drive train, and selectively couples with the anti-rotation element to militate against a rotation of the front and rear shafts. A four-wheel locking system is also provided. The four wheel locking system includes a shaft-coupling engagement mechanism slidably affixed to one of the hydraulic motors. The shaft-coupling engagement mechanism selectively couples with the anti-rotation elements of the motors for allowing a summing of the output torque. The transmission braking system and the four-wheel locking system may be provided in a combined system.

Abstract: A lightweight, optimally efficient, easily serviced, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes one or more cylindrical composite pressure vessel separate end cap manifolds. A piston slidably disposed in a thin impermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Gas is provided in a volume between the impermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Additional gas is optionally provided in gas cylinders. Further components are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle.

Abstract: A variable capacity pump/motor has a meshing internal and external gear set disposed between an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel, each including a flange extending towards the gears to divide a pump/motor chamber into suction and discharge chambers. The inner gear is fixed and the external gear is axially moveable with respect thereto. The external gear and the upper mandrel move in response to changing pressures in the casing, allowing the motor to vary displacement and the pump to vary its output based on supplied fluid pressure or based on the speed of the prime mover. An external configuration includes a pair of meshing gears mounted on separate shafts in a casing. One gear is fixed and the other is axially moveable with respect thereto and moves in response to changing pressures in the casing. Each of the gears is sealed by a seal/bushing on a free end thereof.

Abstract: Rotary seals in a telescoping gear pump/motor a feature that allows the seal to shift radially relative to other components while maintaining the seal integrity and without compromising the function of the bearings or the bushings needed to bear the load.

Abstract: A lightweight, optimally efficient, easily serviced, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes one or more cylindrical composite pressure vessel separate end cap manifolds. A piston slidably disposed in a thin impermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Gas is provided in a volume between the impermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Additional gas is optionally provided in gas cylinders. Further components are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle.

Abstract: A variable capacity pump/motor has a meshing internal and external gear set disposed between an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel, each including a flange extending towards the gears to divide a pump/motor chamber into suction and discharge chambers. The inner gear is fixed and the external gear is axially moveable with respect thereto. The external gear and the upper mandrel move in response to changing pressures in the casing, allowing the motor to vary displacement and the pump to vary its output based on supplied fluid pressure or based on the speed of the prime mover. An external configuration includes a pair of meshing gears mounted on separate shafts in a casing. One gear is fixed and the other is axially moveable with respect thereto and moves in response to changing pressures in the casing. Each of the gears is sealed by a seal/bushing on a free end thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid powertrain system includes a power plant generating a high pressure fluid at an output, at least one drive motor responsive to the high pressure fluid for generating rotary motion at an output, and a mode selection device connected to the power plant output and the drive motor for selecting a mode of operation from a plurality of drive motor modes of operation including at least two of a drive mode, a neutral mode, a reverse mode and a park mode. The system includes a control device connected to the power plant and the drive motor for controlling operation of the drive motor in the plurality of modes of operation, a selectively actuated brake device for interrupting high pressure fluid flow to the drive motor, and a check valve bridge circuit for connecting the drive motor to a low pressure fluid source when the brake device is actuated.

Abstract: A variable capacity pump/motor has a meshing internal and external gear set disposed between an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel, each including a flange extending towards the gears to divide a pump/motor chamber into suction and discharge chambers. The outer gear is fixed and the internal gear is axially moveable with respect thereto. The inner gear and the upper mandrel move in response to changing pressures in the casing, allowing the motor to vary displacement and the pump to vary its output based on supplied fluid pressure or based on the speed of the prime mover. An external configuration includes a pair of meshing gears mounted on separate shafts in a casing. One gear is fixed and the other is axially moveable with respect thereto and moves in response to changing pressures in the casing. Each of the gears is sealed by a seal/bushing on a free end thereof.

Abstract: This is invention provides a touch bar exit device for a door having an active case attached to the door and an inactive case attached to the door. A touch bar assembly is releasable attached to the active case and the inactive case.

Abstract: An apparatus for. A slide mechanism for a door and structural member assembly, the slide mechanism including a frame, a door carrier movably secured to the frame, a door and structural member such as a B-pillar at least partially supported by the door carrier, a slide mechanism that permits the B-pillar and the door to be moved along the door carrier without detaching from the vehicle frame.