Abstract: An expandable accumulator and reservoir assembly includes a reservoir defining an interior chamber containing working fluid therein and an expandable accumulator. The expandable accumulator includes an inner layer and an outer layer at least partially surrounding the inner layer. The inner layer includes a higher fracture strain than the outer layer. The accumulator is at least partially positioned in the reservoir and at least partially immersed in the working fluid contained within the interior chamber. The accumulator is configured to exchange working fluid with the reservoir.

Abstract: An expandable accumulator and reservoir assembly includes a housing defining an interior chamber configured to contain a working fluid therein. An expandable accumulator is positioned at least partially within the housing. The expandable accumulator includes at least one flexible member configured to be at least partially immersed in the working fluid contained within the interior chamber. A rigid support member is positioned in the interior chamber and outside of the expandable accumulator. The rigid support member has at least one aperture to allow passage of the working fluid. An additional flexible member is positioned outside the rigid support member and has perimeter portions sealed to the outside of the rigid support member. The additional flexible member defines a flexible boundary between a primary reservoir inside the additional flexible member and a separate secondary reservoir outside the additional flexible member.

Abstract: An expandable accumulator and reservoir assembly includes a housing defining an interior chamber configured to contain a working fluid therein. An expandable accumulator is positioned at least partially within the housing. The expandable accumulator includes at least one flexible member configured to be at least partially immersed in the working fluid contained within the interior chamber. A rigid support member is positioned in the interior chamber and outside of the expandable accumulator. The rigid support member has at least one aperture to allow passage of the working fluid. An additional flexible member is positioned outside the rigid support member and has perimeter portions sealed to the outside of the rigid support member. The additional flexible member defines a flexible boundary between a primary reservoir inside the additional flexible member and a separate secondary reservoir outside the additional flexible member.

Abstract: An accumulator includes a non-cylindrical outer vessel defining a gas-filled interior chamber, and an inner member positioned in the gas-filled interior chamber. The inner member has a gas-receiving portion in fluid communication with the gas-filled interior chamber of the outer vessel for receiving gas, and a working fluid-receiving portion separate from the gas-receiving portion for receiving working fluid.

Abstract: A method of operating a pump/motor includes pumping working fluid into a high-pressure manifold with a first piston/cylinder assembly while the piston in the first piston/cylinder assembly is displaced from a bottom dead center position to a top dead center position, and transferring working fluid from the high-pressure manifold to the cylinder of a second piston/cylinder assembly to displace the piston of the second piston/cylinder assembly from a top dead center position to a bottom dead center position, thereby imparting torque on a cam and an output shaft, within the same complete revolution of the cam and the output shaft in which working fluid is pumped into the high-pressure manifold by the first piston/cylinder assembly.

Abstract: An expandable accumulator and reservoir assembly includes a reservoir defining an interior chamber containing working fluid therein and an expandable accumulator. The expandable accumulator includes an inner layer and an outer layer at least partially surrounding the inner layer. The inner layer includes a higher fracture strain than the outer layer. The accumulator is at least partially positioned in the reservoir and at least partially immersed in the working fluid contained within the interior chamber. The accumulator is configured to exchange working fluid with the reservoir.

Abstract: An energy storage system for a hybrid vehicle, with an internal combustion engine having an output shaft, includes a reservoir containing working fluid, a reversible pump/motor in fluid communication with the reservoir, and an accumulator containing working fluid and gas. The accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the reversible pump/motor to deliver pressurized working fluid to the reversible pump/motor when operating as a motor, and to receive pressurized working fluid discharged by the reversible pump/motor when operating as a pump. The energy storage system also includes an electric motor having a rotor selectively coupled to the output shaft to transfer torque to the output shaft. The reversible pump/motor is coupled to the rotor to transfer torque to the rotor when operating as a motor, and to receive torque from the rotor when operating as a pump.

Abstract: An energy storage system for a hybrid vehicle, with an internal combustion engine having an output shaft, includes a reservoir containing working fluid, a reversible pump/motor in fluid communication with the reservoir, and an accumulator containing working fluid and gas. The accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the reversible pump/motor to deliver pressurized working fluid to the reversible pump/motor when operating as a motor, and to receive pressurized working fluid discharged by the reversible pump/motor when operating as a pump. The energy storage system also includes an electric motor having a rotor selectively coupled to the output shaft to transfer torque to the output shaft. The reversible pump/motor is coupled to the rotor to transfer torque to the rotor when operating as a motor, and to receive torque from the rotor when operating as a pump.