Energy storage
View Patent ↗A system for performing work having a hydraulic circuit has a length of hose, a hydraulic fluid in the circuit in communication with the hose and with a hydraulic actuator for doing the work, and a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit such that at least 50 foot pounds of energy is stored within the hose to perform the work.
1. A system for performing work, comprising:
a hydraulic circuit adapted to store at least 50 foot pounds of energy within a length of hose;
a hydraulic fluid in the circuit in communication with the hose and with a hydraulic actuator for doing the work; and
a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit in order to perform the work;
wherein the hose is inflated by the hydraulic fluid to over 1,000 psi.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a material of the hose stores at least 50% of the energy.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein a material of the hose stores at least 75% of the energy.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic fluid is incompressible.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic fluid is compressible.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein at least 10% of the energy is stored in the hydraulic fluid.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic actuator is a rotary mechanism.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the rotary mechanism comprises a cam shaft, a turbine, a hydraulic motor, a pump, or a combination thereof.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hose comprises a material selected from the group consisting of composite material, Kevlar, polyurethane, polyethylene, Twaron, aramid fiber, nylon, rubber, carbon, synthetic polymers, chloroprene, elastomers, polyester, carbon fiber, glass fiber, and a combination thereof.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hose comprises a material made of a woven fiber.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hose is inflated by the hydraulic fluid to over 5,000 psi.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy is at least 100 foot pounds.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy is at least 500 foot pounds.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit is a valve, a motor, a pump, a variable displacement pump, an engine, or a combination thereof.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is incorporated into an automobile.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is incorporated in a golf cart, a truck, an elevator, backhoe, bulldozer, trencher, milling machine, a boat, construction equipment, or a combination thereof.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the length of hose is at least 50 cumulative feet.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hose comprises hose segments.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hose comprises a rigid portion.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic actuator comprises a piston.
21. A method for performing work, comprising:
providing a hydraulic circuit comprising a length of hose;
providing a hydraulic fluid in the circuit in communication with the hose and with a hydraulic actuator for doing the work;
providing a mechanism for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit; and
pressurizing the hydraulic circuit to over 1,000 psi such that at least 50 foot pounds of energy is stored within the hose to perform the work.