Patent US5687568A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5687568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic motor system
Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-13
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2016-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulic motor system minimizes wasted power by using a plurality of fixed displacement hydraulic motors to drive a drive shaft in a cooperative manner. The motors are selectively switched into operation in response to variations in fluid pressure. As a consequence the hydraulic fluid acts upon a motor system having an effective combined displacement for producing a predetermined shaft rotation rate at the volumetric flow rate which caused the pressure condition. The invention is disclosed as having particular utility for driving a cooling fan for an automotive engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Buschur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:33
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/04; F01P7/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An hydraulic drive apparatus comprising: (a) a supply line for receiving an hydraulic fluid; (b) displacement chamber means defining a plurality of displacement chambers, each connected to said supply line for progressive filling by said hydraulic fluid in response to an increase of flow rate in said supply line; (c) a plurality of working surfaces, each positioned within one of said displacement chambers for movement in response to said progressive filling; and (d) flow division means for apportioning the flow of said hydraulic fluid between said displacement chambers; said at least one of said plurality of working surfaces being coupled to a drive shaft and applying a tongue to drive said shaft for driving a component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An hydraulic drive apparatus comprising: (a) a supply line for receiving an hydraulic fluid; (b) displacement chamber means defining a plurality of displacement chambers, each connected to said supply line for progressive filling by said hydraulic fluid in response to an increase of flow rate in said supply line; (c) a plurality of working surfaces, each positioned within one of said displacement chambers for movement in response to said progressive filling; and (d) flow division means for apportioning the flow of said hydraulic fluid between said displacement chambers; said at least one of said plurality of working surfaces being coupled to a drive shaft and applying a tongue to drive said shaft for driving a component.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of driving a shaft coupled to a hydraulic load, comprising the steps of: applying torque to the shaft with a first motor; and applying torque to the shaft with a second motor, wherein torque is applied to the shaft simultaneously by the first motor and the second motor for a period of time wherein; the hydraulic load is driven in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a pump which is powered by an engine operable at grade operation and idle operation, the first motor torque applying step includes the step of applying torque to the shaft during idle operation and grade operation, and the second motor torque applying step includes the step of applying torque to the shaft during grade operation and applying no torque to the shaft during idle operation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of driving a shaft coupled to a hydraulic load, comprising the steps of: applying torque to the shaft with a first motor; and applying torque to the shaft with a second motor, wherein torque is applied to the shaft simultaneously by the first motor and the second motor for a period of time wherein; the hydraulic load is driven in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a pump which is powered by an engine operable at grade operation and idle operation, the first motor torque applying step includes the step of applying torque to the shaft during idle operation and grade operation, and the second motor torque applying step includes the step of applying torque to the shaft during grade operation and applying no torque to the shaft during idle operation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of driving a shaft coupled to a hydraulic load, comprising the steps of: applying torque to the shaft with a first motor; and applying torque to the shaft with a second motor, wherein torque is applied to the shaft simultaneously by the firs motor and the second motor for a period of time wherein the first torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically coupling the first motor to the shaft during both idle operation and grade operation, and the second torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically decoupling the second motor from the shaft during idle operation, and mechanically coupling the second motor to the shaft during grade operation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of driving a shaft coupled to a hydraulic load, comprising the steps of: applying torque to the shaft with a first motor; and applying torque to the shaft with a second motor, wherein torque is applied to the shaft simultaneously by the firs motor and the second motor for a period of time wherein the first torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically coupling the first motor to the shaft during both idle operation and grade operation, and the second torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically decoupling the second motor from the shaft during idle operation, and mechanically coupling the second motor to the shaft during grade operation.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of driving a shaft coupled to a hydraulic load, comprising the steps of: applying torque to the shaft with a first motor; and applying torque to the shaft with a second motor, wherein torque is applied to the shaft simultaneously by the first motor and the second motor for a period of time wherein; the second torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically coupling the second motor to the shaft during grade operation with a slip clutch.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of driving a shaft coupled to a hydraulic load, comprising the steps of: applying torque to the shaft with a first motor; and applying torque to the shaft with a second motor, wherein torque is applied to the shaft simultaneously by the first motor and the second motor for a period of time wherein; the second torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically coupling the second motor to the shaft during grade operation with a slip clutch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 2, wherein: the first motor torque applying step further includes the step of allowing the first motor to be in fluid communication with the flow of hydraulic fluid during both idle operation and grade operation, and the second motor torque applying step further includes the step of preventing the second motor from being in fluid communication with the flow of hydraulic fluid during idle operation, and causing the second motor to be in fluid communication with the flow of hydraulic fluid during grade operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the second motor torque applying step further includes the step of preventing the second motor from being in fluid communication with the flow of hydraulic fluid during idle operation with a pressure sensitive valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 5, wherein: the first motor torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically coupling the first motor to the shaft during both idle operation and grade operation, and the second motor torque applying step further includes the step of mechanically decoupling the second motor from the shaft during idle operation, and mechanically coupling the second motor to the shaft during grade operation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for driving a fan shaft in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a pump which is powered by an engine operable at idle speed and at grade speed, comprising: a first motor coupled to said fan shaft in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation and during grade operation; a second motor coupled to said fan shaft; and a fluid connection for placing said second hydraulic motor into fluid connection with said pump during grade operation and preventing said second hydraulic motor from being in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for driving a fan shaft in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a pump which is powered by an engine operable at idle speed and at grade speed, comprising: a first motor coupled to said fan shaft in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation and during grade operation; a second motor coupled to said fan shaft; and a fluid connection for placing said second hydraulic motor into fluid connection with said pump during grade operation and preventing said second hydraulic motor from being in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said first motor is in mechanical driving connection to said shaft during idle operation and during grade operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 9, further comprising a mechanical connection which connects said second hydraulic motor to said shaft during grade operation and disconnects said second hydraulic motor from said shaft during idle operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said mechanical connection includes a slip clutch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said fluid connection includes a pressure sensitive valve.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for driving a fan shaft in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a pump which is powered by an engine operable at idle speed and at grade speed, comprising: a first hydraulic motor in mechanical driving connection to said shaft during idle operation and during grade operation; a second hydraulic motor; and a mechanical connection which connects said second hydraulic motor to said shaft during grade operation and disconnects said second hydraulic motor from said shaft during idle operation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for driving a fan shaft in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a pump which is powered by an engine operable at idle speed and at grade speed, comprising: a first hydraulic motor in mechanical driving connection to said shaft during idle operation and during grade operation; a second hydraulic motor; and a mechanical connection which connects said second hydraulic motor to said shaft during grade operation and disconnects said second hydraulic motor from said shaft during idle operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said first hydraulic motor is in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation and during grade operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 14, further comprising a fluid connection for placing said second hydraulic motor into fluid connection with said pump during grade operation and preventing said second hydraulic motor from being in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15, wherein said fluid connection includes a pressure sensitive valve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said mechanical connection includes a slip clutch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
A hydraulic motor system for driving a shaft which is connected to an automotive cooling fan in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a fixed displacement pump which is powered by a variable speed engine operable at idle speed and at grade speed, comprising: a first hydraulic motor in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation and during grade operation, and in mechanical driving connection to said shaft during idle operation and during grade operation; a second hydraulic motor; a slip clutch which connects said second hydraulic motor to said shaft during grade operation and disconnects said second hydraulic motor from said shaft during idle operation; and a pressure sensitive valve for placing said second hydraulic motor into fluid connection with said pump during grade operation and preventing said second hydraulic motor from being in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
147 words
A hydraulic motor system for driving a shaft which is connected to an automotive cooling fan in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid delivered by a fixed displacement pump which is powered by a variable speed engine operable at idle speed and at grade speed, comprising: a first hydraulic motor in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation and during grade operation, and in mechanical driving connection to said shaft during idle operation and during grade operation; a second hydraulic motor; a slip clutch which connects said second hydraulic motor to said shaft during grade operation and disconnects said second hydraulic motor from said shaft during idle operation; and a pressure sensitive valve for placing said second hydraulic motor into fluid connection with said pump during grade operation and preventing said second hydraulic motor from being in fluid connection with said pump during idle operation.
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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) | 2000-11-17 | 2001-05-19 | 2001-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | 2005-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-17 | 2009-05-19 | 2009-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |