(57) A free piston engine pump converts combustion energy into hydraulic power in an efficient,
controlled and relatively uncomplicated manner, for example, for vehicle propulsion,
auxiliary system power, etc. The free piston engine pump is substantially naturally
mass balanced having opposed engine pistons 5, driving respective in-line hydraulic
pumps 3. An adjustable accumulator 49 with a deformable fluid-tight chamber 50 containing
a compressible fluid stores and delivers energy for compression, and an arrangement
of control valves 67-69 and check valves 62, 63, 65, 66 enables selective operation
of the free piston engine pump in primary (high flow) and secondary (high pressure)
modes. Plural free piston engine pumps la, 1b, may be interfaced for parallel operation
sharing common elements 53', 64' and functions. Cycle rate, intermittent operation
and start-up also may be controlled. Electronic monitoring and control 150 of one
or more operational parameters of a free piston engine pump also are disclosed.
|
|
