Lightweight high pressure repairable piston composite accumulator with slip flange

Abstract

A reduced weight and repairable piston accumulator. The accumulator includes a load bearing metallic cylinder with removable end caps secured thereto with slip flanges for allowing repairability and for achieving the required cycle life. The cylinder serves as the surface on which the piston slides and is designed such that it sustains the axial stress induced by pressurization of the accumulator. A composite over wrapping is designed such that it sustains the stress in the hoop (radial) direction. A stress transitioning bushing can be provided for transitioning hoop stresses between the overwrap and the slip flange. When combined with the cylinder, the fibers of the composite wrap will not be placed in shear and thus will not fatigue in the same manner as some prior art designs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.