Abstract: An energy storage device particularly suitable for use in hybrid fluid power systems and fluid systems utilizing accumulators. A piston accumulator has a primary face on one end of the piston and a series of secondary faces on the opposite end of the piston. Each face has an associated chamber, and one or more of the chambers of the secondary faces may be selectively connected to a system pressure line. Since the pressure of the system pressure line depends on (and varies with) the number of chambers connected thereto, the potential energy of the chamber of the primary face may be delivered to the system pressure line at a variety of output pressures. Similarly, the chamber of the primary face may be recharged with energy at a variety of input pressures.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine utilizing hypocycloid movement has a crankshaft having a small crank pin construction wherein the piston rod end is supported rotatably on an eccentric disc which, in turn, is journalled for rotation on the crankpin. A rigid interconnected subassembly of the eccentric disc, counterweights and a pinion gear is rotatably mounted on the crankpin in a manner to distribute the piston loads to the opposite pin ends, thereby reducing crankpin bending stresses. The main crankshaft support bearings are located directly adjacent the crankpin ends, thereby further reducing crankpin bending stresses. A two-piece crankshaft construction allows the crankshaft to be preassembled for machining, disassembled for mounting the piston subassembly thereon, and reassembled. The modified hypocycloid gearing assembly includes a rotatable internal ring gear transmitting a portion of the torque produced by the piston force to the output shaft via the pinion gear and an idler gear and sun gear assembly.