# US 10,245,714 B2 · Hydraulic buffer with fast startup

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,245,714 B2
- Document ID: US10245714B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/941,395
- Filed: 2015-11-13
- Published: 2017-05-18
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2015-11-13
- Assignees: Caterpillar Inc.
- Applicants: Caterpillar Inc.
- Inventors: Cody T. Moore
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245714B2

## CPC

- B25D 9/12: comprising a built-in liquid motor {, i.e. the tool being driven by hydraulic pressure}
- F16F 9/00: Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium (F16F5/00 takes precedence; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; {braking devices, stops or buffers for wing-operating appliances E05F3/00, E05F5/00})
- F16F 9/082: {characterised by the hydropneumatic accumulator}
- B25D 2209/002: Pressure accumulators
- F15B 2201/31: having rigid separating means, e.g. pistons
- F15B 2201/3151: the flexible separating means being diaphragms or membranes
- F15B 2201/32: having multiple separating means, e.g. with an auxiliary piston sliding within a main piston, multiple membranes or combinations thereof
- B25D: PERCUSSIVE TOOLS {(percussive machines for forging B21J; hand-held drilling machines, in general B23B45/00, for wood B27C3/08; drilling machines, used for mining or quarrying, with reciprocating tool which is turned intermittently when out of contact with the working face E21B1/00)}
- F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An accumulator assembly includes a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The accumulator assembly includes a flexible membrane extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The membrane may divide the vessel into a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber. The accumulator assembly includes a receptacle located proximate the vessel. The receptacle may be in fluid communication with the second interior chamber. The accumulator assembly includes a plunger located at least partially within the receptacle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An accumulator assembly for a hammer assembly, the accumulator assembly comprising:
a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion;
a flexible membrane extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the membrane dividing the vessel into a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber;
a receptacle located proximate the vessel and in fluid communication with the second interior chamber;
a plunger located at least partially within the receptacle; and
a dampener facing the plunger, the dampener receiving an initial load from a machine, wherein a resistance force to the load drives the plunger towards the dampener, the dampener driving the plunger into the receptacle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The accumulator assembly of claim 1, wherein the plunger is configured to displace a fluid in the receptacle into the second interior chamber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The accumulator assembly of claim 2, wherein the fluid is displaced through an escape channel that is in fluid communication with the second interior chamber.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The accumulator assembly of claim 3, wherein the displaced fluid propels the membrane towards the cover and expands the volume of the second interior chamber.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The accumulator assembly of claim 3, wherein upon completing an operation of the hammer assembly, the fluid automatically flows back into the receptacle from the second interior chamber.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The accumulator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the second interior chamber.