| CPC B60K 6/12 (2013.01) [B60R 16/0307 (2013.01); B60T 1/10 (2013.01); B60T 13/585 (2013.01); F15B 1/04 (2013.01); F15B 1/26 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
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1. A hydraulic regenerative braking system for using hydraulic fluid to capture energy from a vehicle during a braking event via a shaft of the vehicle, the system comprising:
a hydraulic pump having a capture mode and a drive mode, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to act as a pump in the capture mode and as a motor in the drive mode;
a controller including processor circuitry configured to cause the hydraulic pump to transition between the capture mode and the drive mode;
an accumulator configured to:
receive and store hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, such that a hydraulic potential energy is increased in the accumulator in the capture mode during the braking event; and
release the stored hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump, such that the hydraulic potential energy is decreased in the accumulator in the drive mode; and
a gearbox mechanically linked to the shaft of the vehicle, such that:
in the drive mode, torque is transferred from the gearbox to the shaft of the vehicle; and
in the capture mode, torque is transferred to the gearbox from the shaft of the vehicle;
a variable orifice valve configured to regulate flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the accumulator;
wherein the controller is configured to control the variable orifice valve, such that a resistance to flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump is maintained during the braking event;
wherein the hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected to the accumulator and is mechanically connected to the gearbox, such that:
in the capture mode, the torque received by the hydraulic pump from the gearbox results in the hydraulic pump pumping the hydraulic fluid to the accumulator; and
in the drive mode, the hydraulic fluid received by the hydraulic pump from the accumulator results in the hydraulic pump supplying torque to the gearbox;
wherein, in the drive mode, the hydraulic potential energy of the accumulator moves the stored hydraulic fluid from the accumulator to the hydraulic pump, such that:
the hydraulic pump generates and supplies torque to the gearbox; and
the gearbox transfers the received torque to the shaft of the vehicle; and
wherein, in the capture mode, the torque is transferred to the gearbox from the shaft of the vehicle, such that the torque received by the gearbox is transferred to the hydraulic pump, causing the hydraulic pump to pump the hydraulic fluid to the accumulator, increasing the hydraulic potential energy of the accumulator;
wherein in the capture mode, both the hydraulic potential energy of the accumulator and the variable orifice valve affect the resistance to flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the accumulator, and
the controller is configured to control the variable orifice valve to compensate for an internal pressure of the accumulator; and
wherein the controller is configured to control the variable orifice valve, such that a resistance to rotation of the shaft of the vehicle is uniform during the braking event.
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