Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In a hydraulic system including an accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure and a piston movable within the accumulator to effect constant pressure on the fluid, the combination comprising: first and second pressure surfaces on the piston; a source of pressurized gas for acting on each of said pressure surfaces; means for sensing the pressure of said gas on each of said pressure surfaces; and regulator means for adjusting the pressure of said gas on one of said pressure surfaces in response to a change in pressure of said gas on the other of said pressure surfaces to maintain the total pressure acting on the piston from said source substAntially constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a hydraulic system including an accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure and a piston movable within the accumulator to effect constant pressure on the fluid, the combination comprising: first and second pressure surfaces on the piston; a source of pressurized gas for acting on each of said pressure surfaces; means for sensing the pressure of said gas on each of said pressure surfaces; and regulator means for adjusting the pressure of said gas on one of said pressure surfaces in response to a change in pressure of said gas on the other of said pressure surfaces to maintain the total pressure acting on the piston from said source substAntially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said regulator means comprises means for increasing the pressure of said gas on said second pressure surface as the pressure of said gas on said first pressure surface decreases during movement of said piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said source is connected to said accumulator to provide free flow between said source and said first piston area whereby gas is returned to said source when the accumulator is refilled with hydraulic fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein means are provided to vent said second piston area pressure when this pressure exceeds the value supplied by said regulator means whereby the gas acting on said second piston area is vented as said accumulator is being refilled with hydraulic fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said regulator means includes movable valve means for controlling gas flow from said source to said second piston area, said movable valve means having a third piston area acted upon by said source pressure and a forth piston area acted upon by said second piston area pressure, said valve means being urged in one direction by the pressure forces acting against said third and forth piston areas, and resilient means biasing said valve means against said pressure forces to allow said gas flow only when the sum of said pressure forces is below a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the ratio of said third piston area to said forth piston are is equal to the ratio of said first piston area to said second piston area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said resilient means provides a force having the same ratio to the sum of the forces acting on said first and second piston areas as the ratio which the third piston area has to the first piston area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said movable value means includes a valve member acted upon by said source pressure, a piston member acted upon by said second piston area pressure and movable relative to said valve member, and venting valve means carried by said members for venting the gas acting on said second piston area when there is relative movement between said members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said venting valve means includes a piston element carried by said piston member and acted upon by said source pressure to cooperate with said second piston area pressure acting on said piston member to produce relative movement between said members when said second piston area pressure increases above the value delivered by said regulator means.