Accumulators

Parts of a bladder accumulator

Point at a number or a part of the drawing.

1. 1Gas valve

   Charging valve for the nitrogen. The pre-charge pressure is checked and topped up here with a charging kit.

2. 2Shell

   Steel pressure vessel that holds the bladder and the oil, built for the accumulator’s rated pressure.

   Hydraulic Accumulator

3. 3Mounting clamp

   Clamp band and bracket that hold the accumulator to the machine frame so it cannot move with the pressure surges.

4. 4Bladder

   Rubber bag filled with nitrogen. Oil pushed into the shell squeezes the gas; when the system needs oil, the gas expands and pushes it back out.

5. 5Oil port

   Threaded or flanged connection at the bottom of the shell that joins the accumulator to the hydraulic circuit.

6. 6Poppet valve

   Spring-loaded valve in the oil port. It closes when the shell runs empty, so the bladder cannot be pushed out through the port.

7. 7Safety block

   Shut-off and relief block under the accumulator. It isolates the accumulator for service and lets the stored oil drain to the tank before anyone works on the circuit.