Fluid-driven reciprocating apparatus and valving for controlling same

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868826

Whitehead, John C ^[1]; Toews, Hans G ^[2]

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1. Davis, CA
2. East Aurora, NY

A control valve assembly for alternately actuating a pair of fluid-driven free-piston devices by using fluid pressure communication therebetween. Each control valve is switched by a pressure signal depending on the state of its counterpart's piston. The communication logic is arranged to provide overlap of the forward strokes of the pistons, so that at least one of the pair will always be pressurized. Thus, uninterrupted pumping of liquid is made possible from a pair of free-piston pumps. In addition, the speed and frequency of piston stroking is entirely dependent on the mechanical power load applied. In the case of a pair of pumps, this enables liquid delivery at a substantially constant pressure over the full range of flow rates, from zero to maximum flow. One embodiment of the invention utilized two pairs of fluid-driven free-piston devices whereby a bipropellant liquid propulsion system may be operated, so as to provide continuous flow of both fuel and oxidizer liquids when used in rocket applications, for example.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5222873
• OSTI ID: 868826
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fluid-driven
reciprocating
apparatus
valving
controlling
control
valve
assembly
alternately
actuating
pair
free-piston
devices
fluid
pressure
communication
therebetween
switched
signal
depending
counterpart
piston
logic
arranged
provide
overlap
forward
strokes
pistons
pressurized
uninterrupted
pumping
liquid
pumps
addition
speed
frequency
stroking
entirely
dependent
mechanical
power
load
applied
enables
delivery
substantially
constant
range
flow
rates
zero
maximum
embodiment
utilized
pairs
whereby
bipropellant
propulsion
operated
continuous
fuel
oxidizer
liquids
rocket
applications
example
pressure signal
signal depending
power load
continuous flow
substantially constant
flow rates
flow rate
control valve
valve assembly
fluid pressure
constant pressure
mechanical power
reciprocating apparatus
provide continuous
load applied
piston device
free-piston devices
liquid delivery
fluid-driven free-piston
fluid-driven reciprocating
pressure communication
piston pump
alternately actuating
communication therebetween
/417/60/91/137/