A system and process for predicting the failure of a machine begins with the step of loading a slope signature library into the control system, in which the slope signature library correlates time-to-failure based on rates of change of one or more measured conditions. The process includes the steps of activating the machine, determining baseline measurements, and detecting an out-of-spec measurement. Once an out-of-spec measurement is made, the process includes the determination of the rate of change for the out-of-spec measurement. A slope signature is calculated based on the rate of change for the measured condition, which is compared against the slope signature library to determine a predicted time-to-failure based on the calculated slope signature, and outputting the predicted time-to-failure. The process can be used to modify the operation of the machine to extend the predicted time-to-failure.

The present invention is directed to a dual engine-compressor system having a crankcase enclosing a crankshaft and having engine cylinder housings and compressor cylinder housings linearly disposed on opposite sides of the crankcase. Combustion pistons are reciprocatingly disposed in the engine cylinder housings and defines alternating combustion chambers on opposite sides of the pistons. Compressor pistons are reciprocatingly disposed in the compressor housings and define alternating low and high pressure compressor chambers on opposite sides of the compressor pistons. The compressor pistons undergo a 4-cycle process to drawn in, re-distribute, and then compress fluid. The compressor cylinder and piston has a series of one-way intakes and reed valves to selectively draw or push fluid in response to movement of the compressor piston.

A method of mounting a bearing to an air compressor including a shaft element having a first end defining a central cylindrical recess and a second is disclosed, which includes the steps of: fixing the second end of the shaft element to a center of a gear; inserting the first end of the shaft element through a central hole of a bearing to have an annular step of the shaft element abutted an inner ring of the bearing; and hitting the first end of the shaft element by a striking tool with a central pin to form an outwardly extending rim on the first end of the shaft element. With the method, the bearing can be firmly fixed between the outwardly extending rim and the annular step of the shaft element.

A valve unit for pumps includes a first chamber communicating with an inlet conduit and with a discharge conduit, a second chamber communicating with the first via a first valve seat and with an outlet conduit. A first obturator body housed within the second chamber opens and closes the first valve seat. A third chamber communicates with the second chamber and partially defined by a sliding plunger. A second obturator body, rigidly connected to the plunger and housed within the first chamber, opens and closes the second valve seat. An internal cavity in the second obturator body communicates with the first chamber, a connection conduit in the second obturator body, communicates with the discharge conduit and with the internal cavity via a third valve seat. A third obturator body housed within the internal cavity of the second obturator body opens and closes the third valve seat.

Power systems and methods of controlling an engine driven air compressor include an air compressor driven by an engine via a clutch. A first pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure level at an outlet of the air compressor. An inlet valve configured to close in response to the first pressure sensor sensing a pressure level above a first pressure level. In addition, a second pressure sensor to sense a pressure level below a second pressure level at a housing of the air compressor, wherein the clutch is configured to disengage in response to the second pressure level, wherein the first pressure level is higher than the second pressure level.

The present invention is directed to a process for operating a combustion engine having a double-sided piston in a piston cylinder, wherein every stroke of the double-sided piston is a power stroke. Every piston cylinder defines a combustion chamber on each side of the double-sided piston. The process includes igniting a fuel-air mixture in each combustion chamber on each side of double-sided piston during every compression, i.e., at about top dead center and at about bottom dead center. The process utilizes the double-sided piston to achieve two power strokes per piston for each engine cycle.

A cooling block for cooling pistons of a multi-cylinder air compressor is disclosed. The cooling block may comprise a body including a first end and a second end on opposing sides of the body. The cooling block may further comprise a first cooling nozzle near the first end, and a second cooling nozzle near the second end. The first cooling nozzle and the second cooling nozzle may each include an orifice through which coolant is sprayed into a crankcase of the multi-cylinder air compressor.

A hydraulic excavator (1) includes a hydraulic pump (22) driven by an engine (20), an electromagnetic proportional valve (24) for hydraulic pump that adjusts pump torque of the hydraulic pump (22) in response to a pump torque target value (Tp), a hydraulic actuator operated by a delivery pressure of the hydraulic pump (22), a motor generator (30) connected to the engine (20), and a controller (26) configured to calculate the pump torque target value (Tp). The controller (26) acquires a pump torque adjustment amount (Qadj) based on a deviation (AH) between a current integrating value (AH1) acquired by integrating a value of a current flowing into the motor generator (30) when the hydraulic actuator is driven and a current integrating reference value (AH0).

A high efficiency positive Displacement Heat Machines, for applications such as engines with external heating, Internal Combustion Engines with reduced dirty emissions, heat pumps for ecology clear coolers or heaters, working with air from any source of mechanical energy, thermal processes with approximately constant pressure using an external High and Low Pressure Chambers (HPC and LPC that may be the Atmosphere) that are connecting to a Working Chamber (WC) correspondingly at the end of compression and expansion stages. The disclosed engines and heat pumps operate with displacing at least a part of the WF between said WC and HPC, without changing volume of the WC; with Pulse Pause Modulation of crankshaft speed; with remote expander for engine or compressor for heat pump. The expander or compressor are arranged without transferring mechanical work from another parts of the heat machine. The expander is used as power output from the engine, and the compressor is used as power input to the heat pump.

The disclosure pertains to a hybrid electric hydraulic motor system for a vehicle having a propulsion mode and a decelerating mode. The system generally includes one or more batteries for storing electricity; an electric motor operably connected to the battery; an internal combustion engine; a vehicle hydraulic system; a first hydraulic pump operably connected to the electric motor for producing hydraulic pressure; a first hydraulic motor operably connected between the first hydraulic pump and the internal combustion engine; a timer valve operably connected between the first hydraulic pump and the first hydraulic motor; a second hydraulic pump operably connected to the internal combustion engine for producing hydraulic pressure; a hydraulic reservoir for storing hydraulic liquid operably connected to the first hydraulic pump, the second hydraulic pump, and the third hydraulic pump; a second hydraulic motor operably connected to the first and second hydraulic pumps; and a motive device operably connected to the second hydraulic motor. While in the ignition stage of the propulsion mode of the system, the battery provides electricity to drive the electric motor which drives the hydraulic pump which provides hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic motor which operates to start the internal combustion engine, wherein after ignition of the internal combustion engine, the timer valve operates to discontinue hydraulic pressure between the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump. While in the drive stage of the propulsion mode after and after ignition of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine operates to drive the second hydraulic pump, wherein the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump operably combine to supply the second hydraulic motor with hydraulic pressure to drive the motive device.