Piston type Accumulator

 The construction, and operation of a typical piston type accumulator is illustrated in Fig.9.5. It consists of a cylinder body and a moveable piston with proper seals.

PISTON TYPE ACCUMULATOR

1. Construction

The construction, and operation of a typical piston type accumulator is illustrated in Fig.9.5. It consists of a cylinder body and a moveable piston with proper seals.

2. Operation

As shown in Fig.9.5, the piston serves as the barrier between the gas and oil. The gas is confined at the volume above the piston and the oil at the volume below the piston. The gas is compressed when the charged oil pushes the piston against it. This gas pressure is used as the potential energy to force the oil out when it is required in the circuit.

3. Advantage

The piston type accumulator has the ability to handle very high or low temperature system fluids.

4. Disadvantages

1. In piston type accumulators, the pressure does not remain constant when the complete oil is being displaced.

2. The piston type accumulators are expensive to manufacture.

3. In low-pressure applications, there may be a problem of piston and seal friction.

4. There is always appreciable leakage over a long period requiring frequency pre- charging.

5. Because of the inertia of the piston and friction of the seals, the piston type accumulators cannot be used as pressure pulsation dampeners or shock absorbers.