Patent US4663935A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4663935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy storage and retrieval system for a vehicle
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1985-03-14
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2005-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle having a plurality of ground engaging wheels has included, in at least one of said wheels, a hydraulic pump/motor device. The hydraulic fluid for the pump/motor device is stored in a toroidal tire portion of the wheel while the pump/motor is disposed in a hub portion of the wheel. The hydraulic fluid is drawn from a sump reservoir in the tire portion and is pumped to a high pressure liquid/gas accumulator in the tire portion during vehicle braking. When desired, the high pressure fluid is returned through the pump/motor to the sump reservoir during which time the energy of the high pressure fluid is delivered to the vehicle through the motoring action of the pump/motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve M. Rohde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K25/00; B60K25/08; B60C; B60C5/00; B60C5/004; B60K25/02; B60K2025/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A fluid energy storage and retrieval system for use with a vehicle comprising: an axle; a ground engaging wheel including a hub portion rotatably supported on said axle and a toroidal tire portion secured to and surrounding said hub portion; fluid pump/motor means disposed in said hub portion for operation as a pump or a motor and being operatively connected between said hub portion and said axle; high pressure fluid accumulator means disposed in the toroidal tire portion; low pressure fluid reservoir means disposed in said tire portion; fluid passage means connecting said accumulator means and said reservoir means with said pump/motor means; and control means for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said pump/motor means operating as a pump to said accumulator during vehicle braking and for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said accumulator means to said pump/motor means operating as a motor during vehicle acceleration to provide a driving force for the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A fluid energy storage and retrieval system for use with a vehicle comprising: an axle; a ground engaging wheel including a hub portion rotatably supported on said axle and a toroidal tire portion secured to and surrounding said hub portion; fluid pump/motor means disposed in said hub portion for operation as a pump or a motor and being operatively connected between said hub portion and said axle; high pressure fluid accumulator means disposed in the toroidal tire portion; low pressure fluid reservoir means disposed in said tire portion; fluid passage means connecting said accumulator means and said reservoir means with said pump/motor means; and control means for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said pump/motor means operating as a pump to said accumulator during vehicle braking and for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said accumulator means to said pump/motor means operating as a motor during vehicle acceleration to provide a driving force for the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
193 words
A fluid energy storage and retrieval system for use with a vehicle comprising: an axle; a ground engaging wheel including a hub portion rotatably supported on said axle and a toroidal tire portion secured to and surrounding said hub portion; fluid pump/motor means disposed in said hub portion for operation as a pump in one condition and as a motor in another condition and being operatively connected between said hub portion and said axle; high pressure fluid accumulator means disposed in the toroidal tire portion; low pressure fluid reservoir means disposed in said tire portion; said accumulator and reservoir being secured together and further fastened to said hub portion; said tire portion, except for said reservoir and accumulator, being filled with a pliable foam material; fluid passage means connecting said accumulator means and said reservoir means with said pump/motor means; and control means for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said pump/motor means operating as a pump to said accumulator during vehicle braking and for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said accumulator means to said pump/motor means operating as a motor during vehicle acceleration to provide a driving force for the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
193 words
A fluid energy storage and retrieval system for use with a vehicle comprising: an axle; a ground engaging wheel including a hub portion rotatably supported on said axle and a toroidal tire portion secured to and surrounding said hub portion; fluid pump/motor means disposed in said hub portion for operation as a pump in one condition and as a motor in another condition and being operatively connected between said hub portion and said axle; high pressure fluid accumulator means disposed in the toroidal tire portion; low pressure fluid reservoir means disposed in said tire portion; said accumulator and reservoir being secured together and further fastened to said hub portion; said tire portion, except for said reservoir and accumulator, being filled with a pliable foam material; fluid passage means connecting said accumulator means and said reservoir means with said pump/motor means; and control means for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said pump/motor means operating as a pump to said accumulator during vehicle braking and for selectively directing high pressure fluid from said accumulator means to said pump/motor means operating as a motor during vehicle acceleration to provide a driving force for the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |