GB1582655A

GB1582655A - Fluid pressure accumulator

Info

Publication number: GB1582655A
Application number: GB5310877A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-01-13
Filing date: 1977-12-21
Publication date: 1981-01-14
Also published as: DE2801224C2; DE2801224A1; FR2377537A1; FR2377537B1

Description

(54) FLUID PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR (71) We, NOBUYUKI SUGIMURA and Kazoo SUGIMURA, both Japanese subjects, of 308 Mabase, Shimizu-shi, Shizuoka-ken, Japan, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by whidh it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to fluid pressure accumulators consisting of a vessel containing a distendible bladder, the latter receiving the liquid.

The object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure accumulator of this type in which overstressing or damage to the bladder is less likely, and which is efficient and reliable in use.

According to the invention there is provided a fluid pressure accumulator comprising a vessel, a bladder housed within the vessel and having a neck opening connected to receive liquid from an inlet port of the vessel, an air supplying valve opening into the vessel outside the bladder, a hollow support fitting having apertures in its walls and located in the neck opening of the bladder, and a support cone mounted to project within the bladder at the end remote from the neck opening with its apex directed towards the support fitting; said bladder having thickened and thin wall portions arranged so that it will contract to a regular shape when compressed from outside, the support fitting and support cone preventing full collapse andlor the bladder being drawn into the inlet port in use.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of an inlet portion of the accumulator of Fig. 1 showing how a bladder is attached to the vessel, Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the bladder, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 each show sections of the bladder in deformed condition after liquid therein has flowed out, Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a third embodiment of the present invention, Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, numeral 1 designates a cylindrical vessel made of metal to withstand a predetermined pressure.One end (the top end as viewed in the drawings) a domed wall 2 in the center of which an air supplying valve 3 is provided. Its other end, hereinafter referred to as the inlet end (lowermost in the drawings) is gradually reduced in diameter to an opening 4 with its edge bent radially inwardly forming a shoulder 5. This shoulder 5 is supported on the flanged portion 7 of an annular supporter 6.

8 is a bladder made of natural or synthetic rubber and having a neck opening 9 with a thickened wall, the peripheral outer side of which defines a groove 10 for receiving the shoulder 5 of the vessel and the flanged portion 7 of the annular supporter. 11 is a cflp-shaped support fitting made of thin steel plate and its edge is bent outwardly to form a flange 12. It has a number of apertures 13 in its peripheral wall. 14 is a cap for the vessel 1 screw engaged with external threads 15 on the inlet end of the vessel 1. An inlet port for liquid 16 is provided at the centre of cap 14.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the bladder 3 in the wall of which there are equispacedly provided three pairs (or 4 pairs) of thick portions 17, each pair having a thin wall 18 therebetween. When the bladder 8 is compressed from the outside, it is contracted to generally triangular section as shown in Fig. 4, and when further compressed, it is deformed to a three ribbed shape as shown in Fig. 5.

At the end of the bladder 8 remote from its neck, a support cone 19 is mounted to project within the bladder with its apex directed towards the support fitting 11.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 6. Therein, the lower end of the body of an air supply valve 3 is formed as a locating stud 20 having an enlarged head 21 received in a socket in an integral cone 19 of the bladder 8, thus the end of the bladder remote from the inlet end of vessel 1 is anchored to the vessel wall.

A third embodiment is shown in Fig. 7.

Therein a cup shaped guide member 22 is slidable along the cylindrical inner wall of the vessel 1. At the center of guide member 22, is a locating stud 21 which is received in a socket of an integral cone 19 of the bladder 8. Said guide member 22 has air ports 23. 24 is an annular groove provided around the base of cone 19 in which a ring 25 having a round section is received.

With the provision of this ring 25, when the bladder 8 is folded by outer pressure into close engagement with cone 19 (as shown on the right hand side of Fig. 7), it follows a curved path and is not s'harply creased so that it is not overstressed and locally damaged.

A baffle plate 26 extends from the top of the support fitting 11 through the liquid port 16 and into a Tee piece connecting part 16 with duct 27, 27a, dividing them in two halves. Liquid from the inlet duct 27 is thus directed to flow through the bladder 8 before it flows out through the outlet duct 27a.

In operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, when air pressure is supplied through the valve 3, the bladder 8 is compressed from its outside. As shown in Fig.

3, since the bladder 8 has pairs of thick wall portions 17 with thin wall portions 18 therebetween, the bladder 8 deforms to a triangle shape as shown in Fig. 4 and as further compression is imparted, it is folded to the shape shown in, Fig. 5. The cone 19 at the top of the inside of the bladder 8 protects the top portion of the bladder from being collapsed and aids in folding of the bladder smoothly.

Also the support fitting 11 in the neck of the bladder 8 protects'its neck end from being damaged and aids in its folding securely. Further since the bladder 8 is supported by fitting 11, the bladder 8 will never be drawn into the liquid port 16.

Therefore the bladder 8 can fold to its smallest capacity without excessive stress in any area.

Next, when liquid is supplied from the liquid port 16, the bladder 8 gradually expands from the folded shape in Fig. 5 to the shape shown in Fig. 4 an finally to its largest capacity as shown in Fig. 3 compressing air in the vessel. In this instance, since the bladder 8 is unfolded and gradually expanded, its material is not subjected to undue stress, and the rubber material is not overstretched.

Therefore even with repeated expansion and contraction of the bladder, it maintains its elasticity without any fatigue thus it is freed from lessened capacity and damage.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, since the bladder 8 is suspended in the center of the vessel 1 by the stud 20, it can deform in a regular way during its expansion and contraction and any distortion or undue stress caused by eccentric positioning in the vessel does not occur.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, since the guide member 22 is provided on the top of the bladder, when this guide member slides along the inside wall of the vessel 1 either upward or downward the head of the bladder 8 is always kept in the center of the vessel 1 as it expands or contracts axially of the vessel, thus the bladder is protected from its being concentrically deformed or distorted.

Also, in the embodiment shown in Fig.

7, the baffle plate 26 divides the support fitting 11 and liquid port 16 into two sections. With this construction, when liquid is introduced from the inlet side 27 of the duct it flows into and through the bladder smoothly, thus the liquid flows out through the outlet duct 27a without undue turbulence.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A fluid pressure accumulator comprising a vessel, a bladder housed within the vessel and having a neck opening connected to receive liquid from an inlet port of the vessel, an air supplying valve opening into the vessel outside the bladder, a hollow support fitting having apertures in its walls and located in the neck opening of the bladder, and a support cone mounted to project within the bladder at the end remote from the neck opening with its apex directed towards the support fitting; said bladder having thickened and thin wall, portions arranged so that it will contract to a regular shape when compressed from outside, the support fitting and support cone preventing full collapse and / or the bladder being drawn into the inlet port in use.

2. An accumulator as in Claim 1 including locating means anchoring the support cone to the wall of the vessel at the end remote from the inlet port.

3. An accumulator as in Claim 1 including a guide member in sliding engagement with the interior of the vessel and to which the support cone 6f the bladder is anchored.

4. An accumulator as in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base of the support cone defines an annular groove in which a ring having a round section is received.

5. An accumulator as in any one of the preceding claims including a baffle plate dividing the support fitting and inlet port into two halves for respective inflow

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. having an enlarged head 21 received in a socket in an integral cone 19 of the bladder 8, thus the end of the bladder remote from the inlet end of vessel 1 is anchored to the vessel wall. A third embodiment is shown in Fig. 7. Therein a cup shaped guide member 22 is slidable along the cylindrical inner wall of the vessel 1. At the center of guide member 22, is a locating stud 21 which is received in a socket of an integral cone 19 of the bladder 8. Said guide member 22 has air ports 23. 24 is an annular groove provided around the base of cone 19 in which a ring 25 having a round section is received. With the provision of this ring 25, when the bladder 8 is folded by outer pressure into close engagement with cone 19 (as shown on the right hand side of Fig. 7), it follows a curved path and is not s'harply creased so that it is not overstressed and locally damaged. A baffle plate 26 extends from the top of the support fitting 11 through the liquid port 16 and into a Tee piece connecting part 16 with duct 27, 27a, dividing them in two halves. Liquid from the inlet duct 27 is thus directed to flow through the bladder 8 before it flows out through the outlet duct 27a. In operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, when air pressure is supplied through the valve 3, the bladder 8 is compressed from its outside. As shown in Fig. 3, since the bladder 8 has pairs of thick wall portions 17 with thin wall portions 18 therebetween, the bladder 8 deforms to a triangle shape as shown in Fig. 4 and as further compression is imparted, it is folded to the shape shown in, Fig. 5. The cone 19 at the top of the inside of the bladder 8 protects the top portion of the bladder from being collapsed and aids in folding of the bladder smoothly. Also the support fitting 11 in the neck of the bladder 8 protects'its neck end from being damaged and aids in its folding securely. Further since the bladder 8 is supported by fitting 11, the bladder 8 will never be drawn into the liquid port 16. Therefore the bladder 8 can fold to its smallest capacity without excessive stress in any area. Next, when liquid is supplied from the liquid port 16, the bladder 8 gradually expands from the folded shape in Fig. 5 to the shape shown in Fig. 4 an finally to its largest capacity as shown in Fig. 3 compressing air in the vessel. In this instance, since the bladder 8 is unfolded and gradually expanded, its material is not subjected to undue stress, and the rubber material is not overstretched. Therefore even with repeated expansion and contraction of the bladder, it maintains its elasticity without any fatigue thus it is freed from lessened capacity and damage. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, since the bladder 8 is suspended in the center of the vessel 1 by the stud 20, it can deform in a regular way during its expansion and contraction and any distortion or undue stress caused by eccentric positioning in the vessel does not occur. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, since the guide member 22 is provided on the top of the bladder, when this guide member slides along the inside wall of the vessel 1 either upward or downward the head of the bladder 8 is always kept in the center of the vessel 1 as it expands or contracts axially of the vessel, thus the bladder is protected from its being concentrically deformed or distorted. Also, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the baffle plate 26 divides the support fitting 11 and liquid port 16 into two sections. With this construction, when liquid is introduced from the inlet side 27 of the duct it flows into and through the bladder smoothly, thus the liquid flows out through the outlet duct 27a without undue turbulence. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A fluid pressure accumulator comprising a vessel, a bladder housed within the vessel and having a neck opening connected to receive liquid from an inlet port of the vessel, an air supplying valve opening into the vessel outside the bladder, a hollow support fitting having apertures in its walls and located in the neck opening of the bladder, and a support cone mounted to project within the bladder at the end remote from the neck opening with its apex directed towards the support fitting; said bladder having thickened and thin wall, portions arranged so that it will contract to a regular shape when compressed from outside, the support fitting and support cone preventing full collapse and / or the bladder being drawn into the inlet port in use.

and outflow of liquid to and from the bladder.

6. A fluid pressure accumulator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-5; Fig. 6; or Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.