US5169295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for compressing gases with a liquid system
Assignee: Tren Fuels Inc
•
Filing: 1991-09-17
•
Granted: 1992-12-08
•
Expires: 2011-09-17
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for compressing gas. Two accumulators are alternately filled with gas from a gas-supplying conduit, and the gas is forced out of one end of the accumulators into a gas-receiving conduit by liquid forced into the other end of the accumulators. A reversible pump moves liquid from one accumulator to the other accumulator. The reversible pump is connected so that pump cavitation is prevented. The invention includes a switching system to switch liquid flow from one accumulator to the other accumulator. Liquid that leaks from the system may be resupplied using a liquid supply system that comprises a pressure container with a compressible element.
Inventors
- 👤 John Stogner
- 👤 Steve Westmoreland
- 👤 Dan J. Kicker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:39
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C5/00; F17C5/06; F04; F04B; F04B41/00; F04B41/02; F04B9/00; F04B9/08; F04B9/10; F04B9/109; F04B9/117; F04B9/1172; F04B9/1174; F04B9/1176; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/031; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/033; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0107; F17C2223/0123; F17C2227/00; F17C2227/01; F17C2227/0192
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators; liquid control means connected to alternatively introduce liquid into the first accumulator for forcing gas from it during use as liquid is drained from the second accumultor so as to cause the second accumulator to be refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit, and for introducing liquid into the second accumulator during use for forcing gas from it as liquid is drained from the first accumulator so as to cause the first accumulator to refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit; and wherein the liquid control means is adapted to reduce the rate that liquid is introduced into each accumulator before each accumulator is substantially filled with liquid during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators; liquid control means connected to alternatively introduce liquid into the first accumulator for forcing gas from it during use as liquid is drained from the second accumultor so as to cause the second accumulator to be refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit, and for introducing liquid into the second accumulator during use for forcing gas from it as liquid is drained from the first accumulator so as to cause the first accumulator to refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit; and wherein the liquid control means is adapted to reduce the rate that liquid is introduced into each accumulator before each accumulator is substantially filled with liquid during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators; a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use; a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use; and a diverting conduit for diverting a portion of the compression liquid during use from the reversible pump to a liquid cooler, wherein the cooler comprises a thermostat system operable to reduce the flow of liquid to the cooler as the temperature of the liquid flowing to the cooling during use decreases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators; a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use; a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use; and a diverting conduit for diverting a portion of the compression liquid during use from the reversible pump to a liquid cooler, wherein the cooler comprises a thermostat system operable to reduce the flow of liquid to the cooler as the temperature of the liquid flowing to the cooling during use decreases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the diverting conduit is connected through a pressure reduction means to the liquid cooler, the pressure reduction means being designed to reduce the pressure of the diverted liquid so that the cooler is operable at a pressure below the pressure of gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps: introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit; signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator; draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator; diverting a portion of the compression liquid to a liquid cooler; reducing the flow of the compression liquid to the cooler as the temperature of the compression liquid flowing to the cooler decreases.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps: introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit; signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator; draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator; diverting a portion of the compression liquid to a liquid cooler; reducing the flow of the compression liquid to the cooler as the temperature of the compression liquid flowing to the cooler decreases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of reducing the pressure of the compression liquid flowing to the cooler to a pressure less then the pressure of the gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators; a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use; a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use, and wherein the compression liquid control system is adapted to reduce the rate of compression liquid flow during use to each accumulator before each accumulator is substantially filled with liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators; a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use; a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use, and wherein the compression liquid control system is adapted to reduce the rate of compression liquid flow during use to each accumulator before each accumulator is substantially filled with liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the compression liquid control system is adapted to reduce the rate of compression liquid flow to each accumulator during use when each accumulator is about 90% filled with compression liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the compression liquid control system is adapted to reduce the rate of compression liquid flow to each accumulator during use by reducing the pressure of the compression liquid flowing to the reversible pump.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps: introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit; signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator; draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator; reducing the rate that compression liquid is pumped into each accumulator before each accumulator is substantially filled with compression liquid.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps: introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit; signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator; draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator; reducing the rate that compression liquid is pumped into each accumulator before each accumulator is substantially filled with compression liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the rate is decreased by reducing the pressure of the compression liquid being pumped by the reversible pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the rate is reduced when each accumulator is about 90% filled with compression liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
180 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators; liquid control means connected to alternatively introduce liquid into the first accumulator for forcing gas from it during use as liquid is drained from the second accumulator so as to cause the second accumulator to be refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit, and for introducing liquid into the second accumulator during use for forcing gas from it as liquid is drained from the first accumulator so as to cause the first accumulator to refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit; and liquid supply means connected such that a portion of the liquid in the liquid control means is diverted from the liquid control means to a reservoir during use, and the liquid supply means is connected to pump liquid during use from the reservoir to a first connector connecting the first accumulator to the liquid control means, and from the reservoir to a second connector connecting the second accumulator to the liquid control means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
180 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators; liquid control means connected to alternatively introduce liquid into the first accumulator for forcing gas from it during use as liquid is drained from the second accumulator so as to cause the second accumulator to be refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit, and for introducing liquid into the second accumulator during use for forcing gas from it as liquid is drained from the first accumulator so as to cause the first accumulator to refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit; and liquid supply means connected such that a portion of the liquid in the liquid control means is diverted from the liquid control means to a reservoir during use, and the liquid supply means is connected to pump liquid during use from the reservoir to a first connector connecting the first accumulator to the liquid control means, and from the reservoir to a second connector connecting the second accumulator to the liquid control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the liquid control means comprises a first sensing means connected to switch the flow of liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and a second sensing means connected to switch the flow of liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use, and wherein the sensing means are adapted to each send a switching signal to a directional control means during use to cause the liquid to switch flow.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the liquid supply means is adapted to supply liquid to the liquid control means during use after liquid is substantially drained from the first accumulator and before the second accumulator is substantially filled, and after the liquid is substantially drained from the second accumulator and before the first accumulator is substantially filled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the liquid supply means is adapted to supply liquid to the liquid control means during use at a pressure less than the pressure of gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps: introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit; signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator; draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator; diverting a portion of the compression liquid to a reservoir; pumping a portion of the compression liquid from the reservoir to a first connector connecting the first accumulator to the reversible pump, and to a second connector connecting the second accumulator to the reversible pump.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps: introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit; signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator; draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator; diverting a portion of the compression liquid to a reservoir; pumping a portion of the compression liquid from the reservoir to a first connector connecting the first accumulator to the reversible pump, and to a second connector connecting the second accumulator to the reversible pump.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of supplying the compression liquid to the reversible pump when the first accumulator is substantially drained of compression liquid and before the second accumulator is substantially filled with compression liquid, and when the second accumulator is substantially drained of compression liquid and before the first accumulator is substantially filled with compression liquid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of flowing gas through a means to prevent backflow of gas to the gas-supplying conduit prior to introducing gas into the accumulators.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of flowing gas through a means to prevent backflow of gas to the accumulators prior to forcing gas into the gas-receiving conduit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of supplying the compression liquid with a supply pump.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of supplying the compression liquid from a pressure container comprising a compressible element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of sending a signal from the first accumulator to a directional control means when the first accumulator is substantially filled with gas; and sending a signal from the directional control means to the reversible pump to switch and pump liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of sending a signal from the first accumulator to a stroker means when the first accumulator is substantially filled with gas; and sending a signal from the stroker means to the reversible pump to switch and pump liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of supplying compression liquid to the reversible pump at a pressure less than the pressure of the gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of supplying compression liquid to the reversible pump from a supply system at a momentary rate at least equal to the rate that compression liquid is pumped by the reversible pump.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of diverting a portion of the compression liquid from the reversible pump to a reservoir, and supplying liquid to the reversible pump from a supply system at a momentary rate at least equal to the rate that compression liquid is pumped by the reversible pump plus the rate that compression liquid is diverted from the reversible pump.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of engaging the reversible pump in a stop or run mode by controlling the signal sent to the reversible pump.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of engaging the reversible pump in a hold mode by controlling the signal sent to the reversible pump.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of preventing momentary compression liquid pressure in the accumulators from rising above a set amount above the pressure of the gas in the gas-receiving conduit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the momentary compression liquid pressure in the accumulators is prevented from rising by diverting a portion of the compression liquid from the reversible pump to a diverting conduit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the compression liquid is diverted through a spring-loaded valve prior to being diverted to the diverting conduit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
192 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators; a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use; a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use; a liquid supply pump connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump during use; and wherein the gas compression system is connected such that a portion of the compression liquid is diverted from the reversible pump to a reservoir during use, and the liquid supply pump is connected to pump compression liquid during use from the reservoir to a first connector connecting the first accumulator to the reversible pump, and from the reservoir to a second connector connecting the second accumulator to the reversible pump.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
192 words
A gas compression system, comprising: a first accumulator; a second accumulator; a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators; a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators; a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use; a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use; a liquid supply pump connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump during use; and wherein the gas compression system is connected such that a portion of the compression liquid is diverted from the reversible pump to a reservoir during use, and the liquid supply pump is connected to pump compression liquid during use from the reservoir to a first connector connecting the first accumulator to the reversible pump, and from the reservoir to a second connector connecting the second accumulator to the reversible pump.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the liquid supply pump is connected to supply compression liquid to the accumulators during use when the first accumulator is substantially drained of compression liquid and before the second accumulator is substantially filled with liquid, and when the second accumulator is substantially drained of liquid and before the first accumulator is substantially filled with liquid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the liquid supply pump is connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump during use at a pressure below the pressure of gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 32, further comprising a means to prevent backflow from the first connector to the liquid supply pump, and a means to prevent backflow from the second connector to the liquid supply pump.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the liquid supply pump is further connected to pump liquid during use to a pressure container comprising a compressible element, and the pressure container is connected to provide liquid to the first and second connectors during use.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the liquid supply pump is operable independently of the reversible pump, and is operable to prime the reversible pump.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 32, further comprising a means to prevent backflow of gas from the accumulators to the gas-supplying conduit during use.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 32, further comprising a means to prevent backflow of gas from the gas-receiving conduit to the accumulators during use.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the liquid control system comprises a first sensing means connected to the first accumulator, a second sensing means connected to the second accumulator, and wherein the reversible pump comprises a stroker means, and wherein the sensing means are each adapted to send a switching signal to a stroker means to cause the reversible pump to switch the direction of compression liquid flow.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the liquid supply means is adapted to supply liquid to the liquid control means during use, and wherein the liquid supply means comprises a pressure container comprising a compressible element.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 12, further comprising a separator in the first accumulator to separate gas from compression liquid during use, and a separator in the second accumulator to separate gas from compression liquid during use.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the separators are recessed.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the gas compression system is mounted on a vehicle.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 44 wherein the vehicle comprises a gas storage means, and the compression system is connected to compress gas into the storage means and to compress gas from the storage means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a compression liquid compensation system adapted to prevent momentary compression liquid pressure in the accumulators from rising a set amount above the pressure of gas in the gas-receiving conduit.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the compression liquid compensation system comprises a spring-loaded valve connected to release compression liquid pressure during use when the momentary compression liquid pressure in the accumulators rises a set amount above the pressure of gas in the gas-receiving means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the liquid control system comprises a first sensing means connected to the first accumulator, a second sensing means connected to the second accumulator, and wherein the sensing means are each adaptable to send a switching signal during use to a directional control means which then switches state and causes the reversible pump to switch the direction of compression liquid flow.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the reversible pump comprises a stroker means connected such that a supply liquid flows during use from the directional control means to the stroker means, and wherein a change in direction of supply liquid flow to the stroker means during use causes the reversible pump to switch the direction of compression liquid flow.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 49 connected such that the amount of supply liquid pressure in the stroker means during use controls the amount of compression liquid flow to and from the reversible pump.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 50 connected such that a reduction in the pressure of the compression liquid flowing to the reversible pump during use causes a reduction in the supply liquid pressure in the stroker means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising an engaging means connected to provide a run mode and a stop mode for the reversible pump, and wherein the engaging means are adapted to provide such modes by controlling flow of a supply liquid to controls of the reversible pump.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the controls of the reversible pump comprise a stroker means with two ports for receiving supply liquid.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 53 wherein the engaging means comprises a directional control means connected to provide the stop mode by equalizing the supply liquid flow to both ports in the stroker means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 53 wherein the directional control means is connected to provide the run mode by allowing directional flow of supply liquid to the stroker means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the engaging means further comprises a hold mode for the reversible pump.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 56 wherein the compression liquid control system comprises a first sensing means connected to the first accumulator, a second sensing means connected to the second accumulator, and wherein the sensing means are each adapted to send a directional supply liquid signal to the reversible pump to cause the reversible pump to switch the flow of compression liquid, and wherein the engaging means comprises a directional control means connected to provide the hold mode by switching the direction of the supply liquid signal to the reversible pump.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 57 wherein the engaging means is connected to provide the hold mode by switching the direction of supply liquid such that the directional supply liquid signal sent by the sensing means to the reversible pump does not cause the reversible pump to switch the flow of compression liquid.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure container comprising a compressible element, and wherein the pressure container is connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump during use.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the compressible element comprises a bladder filled with a gas.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the pressure container is adapted to supply liquid during use at a momentary rate at least equal to about the rate that liquid is introduced into an accumulator.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 57 wherein a liquid supply pump is connected to supply liquid to the pressure container.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 62 wherein the supply pump is connected to draw liquid from a reservoir.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 62 wherein the liquid supply pump is connected to supply liquid during use to the reversible pump and the pressure container.
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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) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |