Accumulators are metallic storage pressure vessels, that stores inert gas (mostly nitrogen) and compressed hydraulic fluid in it., with the two medias being separated internally by means of a flexible barrier. These vessels are filled-in initially by the system pump and it delivers the fluid to the system under pressure whenever needed.
Hydraulic accumulators play a crucial role in maintaining system efficiency and performance by storing and releasing hydraulic energy as needed
Areas of Accumulator applications, incl
- Volume compensation
- Energy storage
- Emergency fluid back up
- Energy recovery
- Safety functions
- Pulsations damping
- Shock absorption
- Vibrations dampening
- Flow stabilisation
- Media separation
Use of accumulators benefits:
- To improve performance of the whole system
- Increase in service life of system
- Reduction in operating & maintenance costs
- Smoothens operation by reduction of pulsations
Accumulators are available with wide variety of
- Materials for specialized applications – carbon steel of many grades, stainless steel etc.
- Seal materials and configurations available.
- Plating – Nickel and chrome plating, and epoxy/anti-corrosive coatings available.
- Connections – from standard threaded and flange port connections to specialised flange connections.
- Position measurement (possible with piston accumulator only) – Proximity switches, linear transducers, or mechanical indicating rods available for identifying piston location.