Closed electropneumatic system for propulsion

Abstract

An electropneumatic torque generating system using a pneumatic engine and having a first tank connected to a first of a pair of manifolds with a first discharge connection arrangement so as to be capable of discharging portions of any of the operating gas in the first tank through the first discharge connection arrangement into the first manifold. The system further includes a first gas compressor to thereby discharge operating gases at greater pressures with the first gas compressor inlet being connected to a second of the pair of manifolds through a first input collection connection arrangement so as to be capable of receiving operating gases from that manifold through the first input collection connection arrangement that have flowed from the first manifold. There is further included a second tank being connected to the outlet of the first gas compressor through a first output collection connection arrangement so as to be capable of receiving therein operating gases that have flowed through the first gas compressor.

1 . An electropneumatic torque generating system using a pneumatic engine having an engine block with cylindrical openings therein each containing a piston rotatably connected to a crankshaft in said engine block, said engine block supporting a head structure having head recesses therein each across from a corresponding said cylinder with said head structure having a pair of port passageways extending therethrough from each said head recess to have each of said port passageways in a said pair thereof open in a corresponding one of a pair of manifolds each supported on said pneumatic engine, said system comprising:
 a first tank, capable of containing an operating gas at a relatively large pressure, and being connected to a first of said pair of manifolds with a first discharge connection arrangement so as to be capable of discharging portions of any of said operating gas in said first tank through said first discharge connection arrangement into said first manifold,   a first gas compressor having an inlet and an outlet and being capable of increasing pressures of said operating gas received at said inlet thereof to thereby discharge said operating gases at greater pressures at said outlet thereof, said first gas compressor inlet being connected to a second of said pair of manifolds through a first input collection connection arrangement so as to be capable of receiving said operating gases from that manifold through said first input collection connection arrangement that have flowed from said first manifold through a head recess and that said pair of port passageways corresponding thereto, and   a second tank, capable of containing a gas at a relatively large pressure, being connected to said outlet of said first gas compressor through a first output collection connection arrangement so as to be capable of receiving therein said operating gases that have flowed through said first gas compressor.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a first manifold control valve in said first discharge connection arrangement through which said operating gases from said first tank must flow to be discharged into said first manifold. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a first manifold recess valve positioned between a selected said head recess and said first manifold. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a second manifold control valve in said first input collection connection arrangement through which said operating gases from said second manifold must flow to be received by said first gas compressor inlet. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a first manifold recess valve positioned between a selected said head recess and said first manifold. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a second manifold recess valve positioned between said selected head recess and said second manifold. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second manifold control valve in said first input collection connection arrangement through which said operating gases from said second manifold must flow to be received by said first gas compressor inlet. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a second manifold recess valve positioned between said selected head recess and said second manifold. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising said second tank being connected to a selected one of said first and second manifolds with a second discharge connection arrangement so as to be capable of discharging portions of any of said operating gas in said second tank through said second discharge connection arrangement into said selected one of said first and second manifolds. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a second gas compressor having an inlet and an outlet and being capable of increasing pressures of said operating gas received at said inlet thereof to thereby discharge said operating gases at greater pressures at said outlet thereof, said second gas compressor inlet being connected to that one of said first and second manifolds other than said selected one of said first and second manifolds through a second input collection connection arrangement so as to be capable of receiving said operating gases from that manifold through said second input collection connection arrangement that have flowed from said selected manifold through a head recess and that said pair of port passageways corresponding thereto, and said first tank being connected to said outlet of said second gas compressor through a second output collection connection arrangement so as to be capable of receiving therein said operating gases that have flowed through said second gas compressor. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said second tank is connected to said first manifold with said second discharge connection arrangement. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said first manifold control valve is a valve arrangement in both said first and second discharge connection arrangements and through which said operating gases from said first tank and said second tank must flow to be discharged into said first manifold. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said second gas compressor inlet is connected to said second manifold with said second input collection connection arrangement. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said second manifold control valve is a valve arrangement in both said first and second input collection connection arrangements and through which said operating gases from said second manifold must flow to be received said first and second gas compressors. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a first manifold recess valve positioned between a selected said head recess and said first manifold. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a second manifold recess valve positioned between said selected head recess and said second manifold. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an electrical motor mechanically coupled to said crankshaft. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a battery and power conditioning system for selectively providing electrical power to said motor, and further comprising mechanically rotatable shaft electrical power generating devices electrically connected to said battery and power conditioning system for recharging said battery and yet further comprising mechanically coupling said rotatable shaft so as to be capable of being rotated as a result of rotation of said crankshaft. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a said piston having an impulse rod affixed thereto extending through a corresponding said head recess and through said head structure so as to be engageable by a mechanical force generator capable of delivering a mechanical force thereto. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an operating gas replenishment system connected to at least one of said first and second input collection connection arrangements, said operating gas replenishment system being capable of injecting additional quantities of operating gas into said one of said first and second input collection connection arrangements. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising said first manifold having an access port at which a gas alternative to said operating gas can be provided therein. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a supercharger for providing said alternative gas to said first manifold.