AU2062900A

AU2062900A - Hydraulic drive vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2062900A
Application number: AU2062900A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Gee Wah Rev Dr Jang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 2000-03-06
Publication date: 2001-04-12

Description

A USTRAL IA pa-t e n ts CO14 P L GE-

PETTY

Act 1990 SPc I P (CATION PAT e 11 .9.S S. 0 4..G H YIALU Li c D R IvL: -VE1-4 1C L G is El fu.IL dlescr-ipteon The 'fotlauillg St at (2 fi i Of this irveni~oii irieLuding The katt metk'od o~f per Cc'rmlf)3ir t known -to me:.

P:\WPDOCS\WXH\MECHAN I SPEC[IC\B1KE1 15/3/99 -1- HYDRAULIC DRIVE VEHICLE This invention relates to pedal powered vehicles, and more particularly though not exclusively, to velocipedes such as, for example, a bicycle adapted to provide hydraulic pressure which is harnessed to drive the bicycle.

Generally bicycles operate through a cyclist generally for example, rotational energy which is transferred into wheel rotation via various gearing mechanisms usually linked by a chain. Differing gear ratios can be used to make cycling up hills easier on the cyclist, S 10 however, steep continuous climbs are still often found too physically demanding for the average person. It therefore would be desirable to provide a bicycle that would be less physically demanding on the cyclist and thus make cycling more accessible to the general public.

15 It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle which is believed to more efficiently harnesses the energy generated by the vehicle.

.o According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle which includes a pedal assembly for generating rotational energy and an hydraulic drive mechanism operatively ooo.

20 connected to the pedal assembly. The hydraulic drive mechanism includes an hydraulic pump operative coupled to the pedal assembly, a motor operatively connected to the pump, an hydraulic fluid supply line connecting the hydraulic pump to the motor and adapted to transfer hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the motor, and an hydraulic fluid return supply line adapted to return the hydraulic fluid back to the hydraulic pump from the motor.

Rotational energy received by the pedal assembly is converted into an hydraulic pressure via the hydraulic pump which in turn relays the hydraulic pressure, via the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid supply line, to the motor which then transfers the hydraulic pressure into rotational movement.

P:kWPDOCSWXH\MECHAN I\SPECIFIC\BrKl 15/3/99 -2- Preferably, the hydraulic fluid supply line is tapered towards the end operatively coupled to the motor so as to provide a greater hydraulic pressure at this point.

Preferably, the hydraulic fluid is an oil or the like.

The hydraulic pump may take any suitable form such as, for example, a piston pump or a gear hydraulic pump. In one preferred form, the hydraulic pump is a gear hydraulic pump and is coupled to the pedal assembly via a 10 to 1 gear ratio.

o 10 In one preferred form, the motor is operatively coupled to a wheel of the vehicle and in the particular application of a bicycle may be coupled to the rear wheel of the bicycle.

The motor may for example be in the form of vane motor, piston motor or gear motor.

•go• So In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating an example embodiment are attached and in those drawings: oo Figure 1 is a typical bicycle design which is adapted to be driven by drive mechanism according to the present invention; 20 Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic system according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the various motors and hydraulic pumps that can be used in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a bicycle generally indicated at 50 which includes a frame 51, a seat 52, handle bars 53, front and back wheels 54, 55, and a peddle assembly 56. A hydraulic pump 57 is attached to the frame 51, and is coupled to a crank gear ring 58 which in turn is coupled to the peddle assembly 56. A hydraulic fluid supply line 59 runs between the hydraulic pump 57 and a motor 60, and is tapered at the end connecting to P:NWPDOCS\WXH\MECHAN I\SPECIFIC\BIKEI 15/3/99 -3the motor 60. The motor 60 is coupled to the axle of the back wheel 55 such that operation of the motor 60 causes the back wheel 55 to rotate in a clockwise fashion. An hydraulic fluid return supply line 61 connects the motor 60 to an hydraulic fluid holding tank 62 which then feeds the hydraulic fluid back to the hydraulic pump 57 via an hydraulic fluid feed line 63 when required.

The bicycle 50 is operated once rotational energy is imparted on the pedal assembly 56 causing the hydraulic pump 57 to create an hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic fluid supply line 59 which is then passed on through to the motor 60. This hydraulic pressure is 10 then converted into rotational movement by the motor 60 which drives the axle of the back wheel 55 creating movement of the bicycle 50 in the forward direction. The hydraulic fluid once passed through the motor 60 is then recycled back to the hydraulic pump 57 via the coo• hydraulic fluid return supply line 61 and the hydraulic fluid holding tank 62 where it is reused via the hydraulic fluid feed line 63 in a continuous process until the rotational energy imparted on the peddle assembly 56 ceases.

0o0• Referring to Figure 2, the hydraulic fluid is able to move in a continuous process as long as pressure is imparted by the hydraulic pump 57. The hydraulic fluid starts in the hydraulic fluid holding tank 62 where it is fed to the hydraulic pump 57 via the hydraulic 20 fluid feed line 63. The hydraulic pump 57 pressurises the hydraulic fluid which is then sent to the motor 60 which transfers the hydraulic pressure into rotational movement. The hydraulic fluid is then recycled back to the hydraulic fluid holding tank 62 where the process can continue on indefinitely.

Referring to figure 3, three different types of motors are graphically depicted. There is shown a vane motor 64, a piston motor, 65 and a gear motor 66. Each of these motors can be adapted in accordance with the present invention.

Finally, it is understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the present invention a color photo of the protor-type of the hydraulic drive Bicycle as shown in the Figure 4 and on the Figure 5 a black and white photo of the Hydraulic Pump are included.

Figure 4 is a color photo of a proto-type of the present invention at the reseach and development stage. oeoo :o o: Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the various component parts of the gear type hydraulic pump and motor.

S.g.

Refering to Figure 4 there is shown a prototype in it's development stage of the invention generally indicated 56 a peddle assembly which may be coupled to a crank gear ring or to the pump drive shaft 68 in Figure It is an object of the present invention that the bicycle frame and other component parts be made from a light weight material, such as aluminium alloy where ever practical.

It is also an object of the present invention to conveniently adapting various parts which may be so enclosed in such a manner to steanline the present invention in a modernized form and appearance so that the product is as closely appeared in Figure 5 However a certain amount of flexibility may be extended to bring about a good product.

Refering to Figure 5, there is shown a hydraulic pump assembly with the cutout section of the housing 67 which gives a clear view of it's idle gear 69 which is driven by the drive gear and shaft assembly 70 and their bearings 71 with both a front and backcover plates 72 respectively together with it's seals etc. in place.

It is a further object that the drive shaft 68 be made so as it may b ecome adaptable for the peddle assembly to be mounted there on.

It is also an object for the pump and the motor housing assembly 67 be made from a light weight material such as an a alloy to contribute a further reduction of the total weight of the o invention.

~The final object is to achieve in making an ultra modem "o bicycle which is plesasent to the eyes and sufficiently light weight to be carried about or upstairs if and when neccessary and more so o• ,"to have price tag that suits any average prospective owner.

4 4o 0 0.00

S..

0 The inventor The F01T'e r.T S The Inventor's 13acK5rou11Cd The H-bikel was inventedi Ly Dr John 0 Jang.

Pr Jang, an Australian resicient, has some eighteen years experience as an aeronautical engineer, and applied this knowledge to dlesign this new chainiless, hydraulic-powered bicycle.

Pr Jang currently owns all the patents listed l elow.

A Feasibility Report was commissioned on September 1999 via Michael J Kr-oil, Attorney at Law, New York. R.ated1 excellent in terms of originality, s5implicity and market feasi bility.

The I'atents

USA

Hydraulic Prive Vehicle File #33193 May 6,1999 Commissioner of Fatents, Washington DC 20231 Via Affiliated Inventors Foundation Inc., Colorado Springs.

Frovisional P'atent Application 60/135, 173. Filed May 21, 1999 Australia F'rovisionial P'atent, Sydney, Australia. 16 March 1999 Application PI'9227/99 Via Pavis Callaghan Cave, Attorney's, Sydney

Claims

1. A hydraulic drive vehicle in this invention would be desirable to provide a bicycle that would be less physically demanding on the cyclist and thus make cycling more pleasurable. Accordingly the present invention is designed to provide a vehicle which includes pedal assembly for generating Rotational energy and an hydraulic drive mechanism operatively connected to the pedal assembly. The hydraulic drive mechanism includes an hydraulic pump operative coupled to the pedal assembly, a motor operatively connected to the pump, an hydraulic fluid supply line connected the hydraulic pump to the motor and adapted to transfer hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the motor, and an hydraulic return supply line adapted to return the hydraulic fluid back to the hydraulic pump to the motor. S Rotational energy received by the pedal assembly is converted into an hydraulic pressure via The hydraulic pump which in turn relays the hydraulic pressure, via the hydraulic fluid supply line, to the motor e SWhich then transfers the hydraulic pressure into rotational movement. e Preferably, the fluid supply line is tapered towards the end operatively coupled to the motor so as to 15 Provide a greater hydraulic pressure at this point. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid is an oil or the like. *The hydraulic pump may take any suitable form such as, for example, a piston pump or a gear hydraulic pump. In one prefered form, the hydraulic pump is a gear hydraulic pump and is coupled to the pedal assembly via a 10 to 1 gear ratio. In one prefered form, the motor is operatively coupled to a wheel of the vehicle and in the Particular application of a bicycle may be coupled to the rear wheel of the vehicle and in the particu- lar application of a bicycle may be coupled to the rear wheel of the bicycle. The motor may for for example be in the form of vane motor, piston motor or gear motor. Inorder to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating the whole Embodiment please see the attached drawings.