Low permeation hydraulic accumulator
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
InventorCharles L. Gray JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic accumulator includes a rigid tank containing a flexible but non-elastic bladder formed of a metal foil and separating the interior of the tank into a gas space and a liquid space. The gas and liquid spaces respectively communicate with exterior sources of gas and liquid through fixtures provided on the accumulator tank. One of the fixtures is provided with an anti-extrusion valve to prevent the bladder from being forced out through the fixture. In one preferred embodiment the bladder is a bellows. In another preferred embodiment the accumulator tank is provided with a vent in communication with the liquid space within the tank to allow for venting of any gas separating from the liquid and accumulating within the liquid space.
Claims14
A hydraulic accumulator comprising:
- a rigid tank having an open interior;
- first and second fixtures on said tank for fluid communication with gas and liquid sources exterior to said tank;
- a flexible, non-elastic bladder, mounted within said tank and having an interior in communication with one of said fixtures, said bladder separating the open interior of the tank into a gas space and a working fluid space respectively communicating through said fixtures;
- and
- a shut-off valve mounted in a second of said fixtures and closing said second fixture responsive to the volume of the working fluid within said accumulator falling to a determined low value.
A hydraulic accumulator comprising:
- a rigid tank having an open interior;
- first and second fixtures on said tank for fluid communication with gas and liquid sources exterior to said tank;
- a bladder, mounted within said tank and having an interior in communication with one of said fixtures, said bladder separating the open interior of the tank into a gas space within the bladder and a liquid space surrounding the bladder, respectively communicating through said fixtures;
- and
- a vent formed in said tank and in communication with said liquid space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.