Energy accumulator with flexible inflatable container

Abstract

An accumulator includes a housing, a flexible bladder, and a support. The housing includes a chamber having a defined volume and a passage extending through the housing. The flexible bladder is positioned within the chamber and contains a compressible gas. The bladder is operable in an expanded state and a partially collapsed state. The support is positioned in the chamber and engages the flexible bladder when the flexible bladder is in the expanded state. A liquid is positioned in the chamber and in contact with the flexible bladder. The volume of the liquid in the chamber is at a minimum when the flexible bladder is in the expanded state. The volume of the liquid in the chamber increases with an increase in pressure of the liquid to compress the gas and operate the flexible bladder in the partially collapsed state.

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