Abstract: A hydraulic pump-motor includes a cylinder block including a plurality of fluid chambers, a piston in each of the fluid chambers, a cam, a fixed valve area profile, and a timing adjustment actuator. The cam includes a cam surface that engages the pistons and drives movement of the pistons relative to the fluid chambers in response to relative rotation between the cam and the fluid chambers. The fixed valve area profile is configured to control fluid flows between the fluid chambers and first and second ports. The timing adjustment actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of the fixed valve area profile relative to an angular orientation of the cam based on a pressure differential between a pressure at the first port and a pressure at the second port.

Abstract: A fluid power circuit with a switch-mode power transformer used to transfer power while keeping the pressure of power source and reverse osmosis processes relatively decoupled. The switch-mode power transformer uses the inertia of a hydraulic motor driven electric generator and switching of a hydraulic motor inlet between high and low-pressure ends to decrease the pressure at which power is being transmitted to a reverse osmosis process.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump-motor includes a cylinder block including a plurality of fluid chambers, a piston in each of the fluid chambers, a cam, a fixed valve area profile, and a timing adjustment actuator. The cam includes a cam surface that engages the pistons and drives movement of the pistons relative to the fluid chambers in response to relative rotation between the cam and the fluid chambers. The fixed valve area profile is configured to control fluid flows between the fluid chambers and first and second ports. The timing adjustment actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of the fixed valve area profile relative to an angular orientation of the cam based on a pressure differential between a pressure at the first port and a pressure at the second port.

Abstract: A fluid power circuit with a switch-mode power transformer used to transfer power while keeping the pressure of power source and reverse osmosis processes relatively decoupled. The switch-mode power transformer uses the inertia of a hydraulic motor driven electric generator and switching of a hydraulic motor inlet between high and low-pressure ends to decrease the pressure at which power is being transmitted to a reverse osmosis process.

Abstract: A 3-way high-speed valve including a housing, first and second spools, and an actuator mechanism. The spools are slidably disposed in bores of the housing. The housing further defines an inlet, first and second intermediate ports, and first and second outlets. The inlet is fluidly open to the first bore. The intermediate ports each fluidly connect the first and second bores. The first and second outlets are fluidly open to the second bore. The actuator mechanism articulates the spool bodies to generate differing flow conditions of the valve, including a first flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the first outlet, and a second flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the second outlet.

Abstract: A crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft member, a crank pin shaft member and a clamp. The crankshaft member includes a first central axis and an end having a first circumferential mating surface. The crank pin shaft member includes a second central axis that is substantially parallel to the first central axis, and an end having a second circumferential mating surface. The clamp is configured to secure the first circumferential mating surface to the second circumferential mating surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump assembly including a first pump, a second pump, a shaft, and fluid lines is disclosed. The first pump includes a first piston assembly. The second pump including a second piston assembly. Each piston assembly of the first and second pumps includes a cylinder and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder. The shaft connects the first pump to the second pump and is configured to displace the pistons within the cylinders of the first and second piston assemblies. The fluid lines fluidly couple the first piston assembly with the second piston assembly to form paired piston assemblies. The first piston assembly is phase shifted from the second piston assembly.

Abstract: A 3-way high-speed valve including a housing, first and second spools, and an actuator mechanism. The spools are slidably disposed in bores of the housing. The housing further defines an inlet, first and second intermediate ports, and first and second outlets. The inlet is fluidly open to the first bore. The intermediate ports each fluidly connect the first and second bores. The first and second outlets are fluidly open to the second bore. The actuator mechanism articulates the spool bodies to generate differing flow conditions of the valve, including a first flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the first outlet, and a second flow condition in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the second outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft member, a crank pin shaft member and a clamp. The crankshaft member includes a first central axis and an end having a first circumferential mating surface. The crank pin shaft member includes a second central axis that is substantially parallel to the first central axis, and an end having a second circumferential mating surface. The clamp is configured to secure the first circumferential mating surface to the second circumferential mating surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel that can maintain a constant angular velocity is disclosed. The flywheel uses a movable member to separate a liquid filled chamber from a gas occupying chamber. In one embodiment, a self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel includes a container having an internal volume and a movable member disposed within the container such that the internal volume is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber containing a fluid. The movable member is responsive to changes in angular velocity of the fluid.

Abstract: An accumulator system is configured to store energy and includes an accumulator having a liquid chamber coupled to a liquid port and an air chamber coupled to an air port. The liquid chamber and the air chamber are separated by a moveable isolation barrier. An air motor/compressor coupled to the air port is configured to receive a mechanical input and responsively pump air into the accumulator, and to receive pressurized air from the air port and responsively provide a mechanical output. A liquid reservoir is coupled to the liquid port to receive liquid from the liquid chamber as air is pumped into the air chamber and to provide liquid to the liquid chamber as air is removed from the air chamber.

Abstract: A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel that can maintain a constant angular velocity is disclosed. The flywheel uses a movable member to separate a liquid filled chamber from a gas occupying chamber. In one embodiment, a self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel includes a container having an internal volume and a movable member disposed within the container such that the internal volume is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber containing a fluid. The movable member is responsive to changes in angular velocity of the fluid.

Abstract: An accumulator system is configured to store energy and includes an accumulator having a liquid chamber coupled to a liquid port and an air chamber coupled to an air port. The liquid chamber and the air chamber are separated by a moveable isolation barrier. An air motor/compressor coupled to the air port is configured to receive a mechanical input and responsively pump air into the accumulator, and to receive pressurized air from the air port and responsively provide a mechanical output. A liquid reservoir is coupled to the liquid port to receive liquid from the liquid chamber as air is pumped into the air chamber and to provide liquid to the liquid chamber as air is removed from the air chamber.