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US 8,826,940 B2Granted
High energy density elastic accumulator and method of use thereof
AssigneeVanderbilt University
InventorsEric J. Barth, Alexander V. Pedchenko, Karl Brandt, Oliver E. Tan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is an accumulator which stores energy by deforming from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator returns to its original shape. At least one feature of the accumulator is that it captures elastic strain energy of a stretched bladder, as opposed to relying on gases and metals for energy storage.
Claims14
An accumulator, comprising:
- a tubular expandable member having a constant unstretched diameter, wherein the tubular expandable member has an open end and a closed end, wherein the tubular expandable member has a minimum yield strength of about 1000 psi, wherein the tubular expandable member has a minimum elongation of about 100%, wherein the tubular expandable member is capable of storing a minimum of 20 kJ of strain energy:
- a housing surrounding the tubular expandable member so that a fully expanded configuration of the tubular expandable member is contained within the housing, wherein the housing limits the radial expansion of the tubular expandable member to a point of expansion that is less than a maximum unconstrained radial expansion of the tubular expandable member, wherin the housing and the fully expanded configuration of the tubular expandable member define a space between the housing and the closed end of the tubular expandable member.
An accumulator, comprising:
- a bladder, wherein the bladder has a first end, wherein the first end defines an opening so that as a fluid may enter the bladder to expand it radially and axially, wherein the bladder is an elastomer;
- a shroud having a first end, wherein the shroud surrounds the bladder, wherein the shroud limits the radial expansion of the bladder so that the bladder does not stretch to a maximum unconstrained radial expansion of the bladder, wherein the shroud allows unconstrained axial expansion of the bladder, wherein the first end of the shroud defines a first opening around the opening in the bladder so that fluid may enter the shroud into the bladder;
- wherein the shroud defines a second opening so that air may escape the shroud as the bladder fills with fluid and expands within the shroud.
An accumulator, comprising:
- an expansion member, wherein the expansion member defines an opening for fluid source inlet and outlet, wherein the expansion member has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the expansion member is adapted to expand from a first configuration to a second, fully expanded, configuration in response to a fluid communication, and then return to the first configuration;
- a rigid support structure surrounding the expansion member, wherein the rigid support structure has an inner diameter that is less than a diameter of the outer surface of the expansion member when it is expanded to a maximum unconstrained radial expansion, wherein the rigid support structure has a length that is more than a length of the second configuration of the expansion member;
- a fluid source fluid communication with the expansion member;
- a conduit for providing a fluid connection between the expansion member and the fluid source.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.