Internal accumulator for hydraulic systems

Abstract

Accumulators normally are teed into existing conduits and require large amounts of space or are placed in spool type bores having a spring biased piston slidably disposed therein. Most times these accumulators require a bladder that is vented to the atmosphere or a fluid chamber connected to a reservoir. In the subject invention, an accumulator 24 is provided that has a fluid filled member 36 which can be disposed in a closed chamber 32 of a housing 30 and connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The fluid filled member 36 has a fixed maximum surface to volume ratio and is capable of being compressed when subjected to a pressure higher than the pressure within. The accumulator may be integral with other components in the hydraulic system 10 and can be made with varying volumetric capacities and varying precharged pressures in order to match the requirements of the hydraulic system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.