US 7,108,016 B2 · Lightweight low permeation piston-in-sleeve accumulator

Abstract

A lightweight, low permeation, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes a cylindrical composite pressure vessel with two integral rounded ends. A piston slidably disposed in a thin nonpermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Working fluid is provided in a volume between the nonpermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Further means are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle. A method for pre-charging the device is also presented.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An accumulator, comprising:

a composite vessel body, comprising a cylindrical composite vessel wall and rounded composite vessel ends;
a closeable fluid port positioned within one end of the vessel body, for communication with fluid sources external to the accumulator;
a cylindrical nonpermeable sleeve, disposed within the vessel body and substantially concentric with the cylindrical composite vessel wall;
and
a piston slidably disposed within the cylindrical nonpermeable sleeve, separating the interior of said sleeve into a first chamber, containing a gas adapted to be compressed under pressure, and a second chamber, containing pressurized fluid in communication with the closeable fluid port and with an intervening volume between the cylindrical nonpermeable sleeve and the cylindrical vessel wall.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lightweight low permeation piston-in-sleeve accumulator

Life of this patent

Lightweight low permeation piston-in-sleeve accumulator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15