US 7,661,442 B2 · Compact hydraulic accumulator

Abstract

A lightweight, optimally efficient, easily serviced, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes one or more cylindrical composite pressure vessel separate end cap manifolds. A piston slidably disposed in a thin impermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Gas is provided in a volume between the impermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Additional gas is optionally provided in gas cylinders. Further components 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.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An accumulator assembly, comprising:

at least one accumulator cylinder, including
a cylindrical, gas-impermeable shell;
a cylindrical, gas-impermeable sleeve disposed within and substantially concentric with the shell, an interstitial space formed between the sleeve and the shell;
a piston slidably disposed within the sleeve, the piston separating an interior of the sleeve into a first chamber configured to contain a compressed gas, and a second chamber configured to contain a pressurized fluid;
a pair of axial closures positioned at opposing ends of the accumulator cylinder;
and
at least one tension member disposed between the axial closures and coupled thereto for holding the accumulator assembly together.

4 more elements

An accumulator system, comprising:

an accumulator assembly, including a plurality of accumulator cylinders, each having a cylindrical, gas-impermeable shell, a cylindrical, gas-impermeable sleeve disposed within and substantially concentric with the shell, an interstitial space formed between the sleeve and the shell, a piston slidably disposed within the sleeve, the piston separating an interior of the sleeve into a first chamber configured to contain a compressed gas, and a second chamber configured to contain a pressurized fluid, a pair of axial closures positioned at opposing ends of the accumulator cylinder, and at least one tension member disposed between the axial closures and coupled thereto for holding the accumulator assembly together;
and
at least one auxiliary gas cylinder in communication with the accumulator assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact hydraulic accumulator

Life of this patent

Compact hydraulic accumulator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18