(EPE) General 1.1 Definition and operation The hydropneumatic accumulator is a device designed spectically for the storage of liquid under pressure. As liquids are, for all practical purposes, incompressible, the objective is achieved by ulllsing the compressibility of gases (Hig. 1): A) A flexible separator bladder is fitted into @ pressure vessel (accumulator shell) B) Through a special valve an inert gas (nitrogen) is introduced info the bladder with a pressure Po. The bladder expands, filing the entire volume Vo of the accumulator shel ©) When circuit pressure P1 is higher than the gas precharge pressure Po, the liquid valve opens, and the biadder is com- Dressed reducing the gas volume to Vi D) Should the liquid pressure rise to Pe, the volume of gas reduces to Vo with an attendant rise in pressure, thus ba- lancing the liquid pressure. This means that the accumulator has been pressurised V-= Vi~ Va, and a potential energy has been created to be Utlised as desired (refer section 2), fig. 1.2 Construction ‘The EPE Bladder Accumulator comprises a steel shell in which is fitted a bladder complete with a gas valve and a fluid port with the poppet valve. (lig. 2) cee @ The accumulator shell is 2 pressure vessel forged or {fabricated trom high grade steel designed and manulactured to meet the relevant international standards. For special applications various surlace coatings are availa bie as well as a stainless steel construction @ The bladder construction which is unique to EPE is moulded in a single piece thus obviating problems associal- ‘ed with seamed construction. The gas valve is fitted in a mannet which allows it to be connected and disconnected ‘easily and safely. In addition the valve, not being an integral part of the bladder, can be re-used, thus reducing mainten- ance costs. Bladders are normally manufactured from itil, but for spe~ cial applications. butyl, neopren, ethylene-propylene etc. are available. Accumulator shell @ The gas valve is connected to the bladder by a rubber Bladder coated washer to ensure a gas tight joint, and a non return valve is incorporated for bladder inflation. The bladder, com: plete with the gas valve is attached to the accumulator shell by a lock nut, and the assembly is protected by @ cover. @ The anti-extrusion valve prevents the bladder trom extruding into the fluid port and, at the same time, allows the liquid to flow. In the high pressure range a poppe! valve |g used, whilst in the low pressure range a drilled disc is used. In the latter case the precharge pressure should not exceed 15 bar Poppet valve Fluid port fig. 2