Broad pressure and frequency range accumulator

A resonant vibratory system comprising:

• a) a working fluid system comprising one or more conduits, the working fluid system configured to contain hydraulic fluid, the working fluid system comprising an accumulator coupling location;
• b) a power source operatively coupled to the working fluid system and configured to drive said hydraulic fluid in the working system;
• c) a power delivery system operatively coupled to the working fluid system and configured to deliver resonant vibratory power to a load;
• and
• d) an accumulator apparatus comprising:
• i) a pressure vessel having inner walls defining an elongated cavity, the pressure vessel comprising a communication port in fluid communication with a first portion of the elongated cavity, the communication port operatively coupled to the working fluid system at the accumulator coupling location, the pressure vessel further comprising an energy storage and return portion associated with a second portion of the elongated cavity;
• and
• ii) a piston assembly located within the elongated cavity and configured to separate the elongated cavity into the first portion and the second portion, the piston assembly comprising:
• a diaphragm;
• and a ring portion operatively coupled to the diaphragm at an outer periphery of the diaphragm, the ring portion movably and sealingly engaged with said inner walls;
• wherein the diaphragm is configured to deform under a pressure differential between the cavity first portion and the cavity second portion, thereby developing a tensile force within the diaphragm, the outer periphery of the diaphragm configured to transfer a force representative of the tensile force into the ring portion, the ring portion configured to move within the elongated cavity at least in part in response to said force.

A method for providing an accumulator apparatus, the method comprising:

• a) providing a pressure vessel having inner walls defining an elongated cavity, the pressure vessel comprising a communication port in fluid communication with a first portion of the elongated cavity, the pressure vessel further comprising an energy storage and return portion associated with a second portion of the elongated cavity;
• and
• b) providing a piston assembly comprising:
• a diaphragm;
• and
• a ring portion operatively coupled to the diaphragm at an outer periphery of the diaphragm, the ring portion movably and sealingly engaged with said inner walls;
• and
• c) locating the piston assembly located within the elongated cavity, thereby separating the elongated cavity into the first portion and the second portion;
• wherein the diaphragm is configured to deform under a pressure differential between the cavity first portion and the cavity second portion, thereby developing a tensile force within the diaphragm, the outer periphery of the diaphragm configured to transfer a force representative of the tensile force into the ring portion, the ring portion configured to move within the elongated cavity at least in part in response to said force.