US Patent:
20110120107, May 26, 2011
Inventors:
Paul W. Schwark - Royal Oak MI, US
Andrew J. Nersesian - Livonia MI, US
Markus E. Schneider - Bautzen, DE
Assignee:
ROBERT BOSCH GMBH - Stuttgart
International Classification:
F15B 1/027
Abstract:
An energy storage system includes a reservoir defining an interior chamber, a collapsible bladder positioned within the interior chamber and having working fluid therein, a one-way valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber and operable to permit entry of replacement air into the interior chamber as working fluid exits the bladder, a reversible pump/motor in fluid communication with the bladder, and an accumulator containing working fluid and gas. The accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the reversible pump/motor to deliver pressurized working fluid to the reversible pump/motor when operating as a motor, and to receive pressurized working fluid discharged by the reversible pump/motor when operating as a pump.