Three-chamber energy accumulator having adjustable volume

Abstract

A three-chamber energy accumulator having adjustable volume, comprising an energy accumulator. The energy accumulator comprises a housing (2), and a liquid chamber, an air chamber and an adjustment chamber formed in the housing (2). An air column is disposed in the air chamber. An adjustment assembly is disposed in the adjustment chamber, and is used to adjust the volume of the air column. A liquid pump (13) is in communication with the liquid chamber by means of a pipe. The three-chamber energy accumulator, by means of independent control of the adjustment chamber, can achieve more accurate and stable control of energy output of the energy accumulator, thereby solving the problem with conventional energy accumulators of unstable release.

Description

A three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of accumulators, in particular to a three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume. Background Art

[0002] In industrial applications, accumulators serve as essential devices for energy storage and release, playing a key role in areas such as coal mining. Traditional accumulators using pure water as a medium often face a series of issues in coal mining environments, such as pressure shock and unstable energy release. To address these issues, multi-level adjustable accumulators have emerged, aiming to provide a more flexible, stable, and reliable energy storage and release solution. Traditional accumulators using pure water as a medium in coal mining environments are prone to pressure shock and unstable energy release due to water's incompressibility and high conductivity. To address this, existing variable-volume accumulators employ various adjustment methods, varying the volume of the chamber to achieve energy storage and release. For example, this is achieved by adjusting the volume of gas in the accumulator. The volume of the entire system can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the volume of gas, or by injecting or draining liquid into the accumulator, or by adjusting the amount of liquid. However, traditional accumulators generally struggle to achieve multi-level energy output.

[0003] Therefore, it is urgent to design a three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, and to achieve multi-level energy output to meet different work requirements.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume, comprising:

[0007] The accumulator comprises a shell, wherein a liquid cavity, an air cavity and a regulating cavity are formed in the shell;

[0008] An air column is provided in the air cavity; an adjustment component is provided in the adjustment cavity, and the adjustment component is used to adjust the volume of the air column;

[0009] A liquid pump is connected to the liquid chamber through a pipeline.

[0010] At least two liquid dampers are installed on the pipeline.

[0011] The shell is a cylindrical structure with one end open, and a lower end cover is fixedly installed on the open end of the shell. A through hole for connecting with the pipeline is opened in the center of the lower end cover; the lower end cover is sealed to the inner wall of the shell by an end cover seal; the bottom of the liquid cavity is formed on the lower end cover.

[0012] A protective device is also fixedly installed on the lower end cover.

[0013] A pressure sensor is installed at the bottom of the liquid chamber.

[0014] The top of the liquid cavity is connected to the air cavity via a piston; the piston is sealed to the inner wall of the shell via a piston seal.

[0015] The air column comprises an outer wall and an inner wall; the outer wall of the air column also extends out of the shell through an air valve; and displacement sensors are installed on the outer wall of the air column and the piston.

[0016] The inner wall of the gas column is also connected to a gas storage tank.

[0017] The liquid cavity is communicated with the air cavity, the regulating assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder, an oil delivery pipe is installed on the hydraulic cylinder, and the hydraulic cylinder is in contact with the outer wall of the air column.

[0018] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: By linking the regulating chamber to compress the air chamber volume, the present invention achieves flexible energy regulation, effectively mitigating the pressure shock caused by the incompressibility of water and improving system stability. It also achieves multi-level energy output to meet different work requirements. Through independent control of the regulating chamber, the multi-level adjustable accumulator achieves more precise and stable control of energy output, avoiding the unstable release problem of traditional accumulators. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0020] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the accumulator;

[0022] Among them, 1. air valve; 2. outer shell; 3. hydraulic cylinder; 4. outer wall of air column; 5. inner wall of air column; 6. piston; 7. piston seal; 8. lower end cover; 9. end cover seal; 10. protective device; 11. pressure sensor; 12. oil pipeline; 13. liquid pump; 14. liquid damper; 15. displacement sensor; 16. gas storage tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] The present invention provides a three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume, comprising:

[0026] The accumulator comprises a shell 2, wherein a liquid chamber, an air chamber and a regulating chamber are formed in the shell 2;

[0027] An air column is provided in the air cavity; an adjustment component is provided in the adjustment cavity, and the adjustment component is used to adjust the volume of the air column;

[0028] The liquid pump 13 is connected to the liquid chamber through a pipeline.

[0029] At least two liquid dampers 14 are installed on the pipeline.

[0030] The shell 2 is a cylindrical structure with one end open. A lower end cover 8 is fixedly installed on the open end of the shell 2. A through hole for connecting with the pipeline is opened in the center of the lower end cover 8. The lower end cover 8 is sealed to the inner wall of the shell 2 by an end cover seal. The bottom of the liquid cavity is formed on the lower end cover 8.

[0031] A protective device 10 is also fixedly mounted on the lower end cover 8 .

[0032] A pressure sensor 11 is installed at the bottom of the liquid chamber.

[0033] The top of the liquid chamber is connected to the gas chamber via a piston 6 ; the piston 6 is sealed to the inner wall of the housing 2 via a piston seal 7 .

[0034] The gas column includes an outer wall 4 and an inner wall 5 ; the outer wall 4 of the gas column also extends out of the housing 2 through the gas valve 1 ; and displacement sensors 15 are installed on the outer wall 4 of the gas column and the piston 6 .

[0035] The inner wall 5 of the gas column is also connected to a gas storage tank 16 .

[0036] The liquid cavity and the gas cavity are communicated, and the regulating assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder 3 , on which an oil delivery pipe 12 is installed, and the hydraulic cylinder 3 is in contact with an outer wall 4 of the gas column.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the accumulator is mainly composed of three chambers in the housing 2, which are a liquid chamber, an air chamber and a regulating chamber from bottom to top.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chamber is a cylinder made of high-strength alloy or stainless steel to ensure that it is strong enough to withstand high pressure; the interior is coated with a corrosion-resistant coating to protect the inner wall from liquid erosion; a through hole is provided in the lower part of the liquid chamber, which is connected to the external system and water pump through a pipe.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main function of the liquid chamber is to accommodate liquid medium and realize the flow of liquid during the energy storage and release stages; the top of the liquid chamber is connected to the air chamber through a piston 6, and the piston 6 has a piston seal 7 to ensure the sealing of the piston 6.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air cavity is a cylindrical body formed by an inner air column wall 5 and an outer air column wall 4. The inner air column wall is made of a highly elastic material such as rubber or bellows and is covered with a corrosion- and wear-resistant protective layer. The outer air column wall, also made of a highly elastic material such as rubber or bellows, covers the exterior of the air cavity and is connected to the regulating assembly. The outer air column wall is elastic and can expand or compress under external force, thereby changing the volume of the air column and allowing the air column to store and release energy.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top of the air cavity is connected to the regulating cavity, which is made of high-strength alloy or stainless steel. The regulating assembly hydraulic cylinder 3 is provided inside and is supplied with oil through an external hydraulic system.

[0042] Furthermore, an intelligent control system is provided. By manipulating the adjustment components inside the adjustment chamber, the intelligent control system controls the position of the air column outer wall 4, thereby adjusting the volume of the air chamber. This process affects the storage and release of energy, and can achieve different energy storage levels to meet the needs of the system.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower portion of the liquid chamber is connected to an external system and a liquid pump 13 via pipes. A liquid damper 14 is installed on the pipes of both pathways. Liquid damper 14 consists of a container, a valve, and a regulating device. The container is made of corrosion-resistant material, and internally houses a valve and an adjustable device. The valve, consisting of a valve body and a valve core, can be a ball valve, butterfly valve, or other type of valve. It opens or closes as needed to control the flow of liquid, thereby achieving energy storage and release. Liquid damper 14 controls the flow rate of the liquid by adjusting the valve opening, thereby controlling pressure shock and ensuring smooth energy storage and release.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid filter is installed in the pipes of the two passages. The liquid filter consists of a container and a filter medium. The container is made of a corrosion-resistant material, and the filter medium can be filter paper, a filter screen, a filter element, or other filter material. The liquid filter separates solid particles and impurities from the liquid through the filter material, ensuring the purity of the liquid and improving the reliability and lifespan of the system. A pressure sensor 11 is installed at the bottom of the liquid chamber for real-time monitoring of the liquid pressure. The output data of the pressure sensor 11 can be transmitted to the intelligent control system to provide feedback on changes in the liquid chamber pressure. Based on the feedback information from the pressure sensor 11, the intelligent control system can make adjustments as needed. A displacement sensor 15 is installed on the piston 6 and the outer wall 4 of the air column between the liquid chamber and the air chamber. The displacement sensor 15 measures the displacement of the piston 6 and the outer wall 4 of the air column to calculate the change in the air chamber volume. The output data of the displacement sensor 15 can be transmitted to the control system to provide feedback on the change in the air chamber volume. Based on the feedback information from the displacement sensor 15, the control system can adjust the regulating component to control the compression or expansion of the air chamber volume to meet the requirements of different energy storage levels.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, a gas storage tank 16, made of a high-strength alloy, is attached to the side of the air chamber. This tank stores compressed gas, providing additional gas for use during air chamber expansion and improving system stability. The top of the air chamber is connected to the external environment via a valve 1, providing protection for the system. If pressure exceeds a safe range, valve 1 opens to release excess pressure and prevent system damage.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, during the energy storage stage, the external liquid pump 13 is started, and the liquid is transported to the liquid chamber of the accumulator through a pipeline. The liquid damper 14 accurately controls the flow rate of the liquid to ensure the stability of the system. During this period, the pressure sensor 11 in the liquid chamber monitors the pressure in the liquid chamber in real time and transmits the data to the control system. The control system can perform corresponding operations according to different task requirements. As the liquid is injected, the liquid pushes the piston 6 between the liquid chamber and the air chamber to move upward. The movement of the piston 6 causes the volume of the air chamber to gradually decrease. The displacement sensor 15 located above the piston 6 can accurately measure the volume change of the air chamber by measuring the displacement of the piston 6. When the volume of the air chamber is reduced to a preset value, the displacement sensor 15 transmits this information to the control system.

[0047] Furthermore, the intelligent control system can select different gears as needed. The system offers three gears: first, second, and third. Each gear corresponds to a different energy storage and release situation. First gear means the system maintains its original state without intervention from the control component. Second and third gears, on the other hand, mean the control component will moderately compress the air chamber volume to meet different levels of workload. For example, second gear reduces the air chamber volume to 90% of its original state, and third gear reduces it to 80% of its original state.

[0048] Further, the following are examples of coal mine operating conditions in which the accumulator may be suitable for each grade: Grade 1 is suitable for light or routine operations. In coal mine conveyor systems, it is used for starting and stopping light or normal loads. For example, starting a small conveyor or stopping a light conveyor belt. It can also be used in small ventilation equipment, such as ventilation fans, to provide relatively low energy required for starting or stopping. Grade 2 is suitable for medium loads or operations requiring medium output energy. In coal mining machinery, it is used to provide moderate energy for coal mining operations in typical coal seams. It can also be used for starting and stopping larger conveyor belts. Grade 3 is suitable for heavy loads or operations requiring high output energy. In large coal mining equipment, such as coal hoists or large coal shearers, it is used to provide additional energy for high-resistance coal seams or large-scale coal mining and transportation operations. When the external system requires additional energy, the intelligent control system manipulates the control system to open the valve, allowing the stored energy in the accumulator to be released. The gas in the gas chamber pushes piston 6 downward. The high-pressure liquid in the liquid chamber is quickly transported to the external system through a pipeline to complete the required work. Valves and liquid dampers 14 in the pipeline control the flow rate of the liquid, ensuring smooth energy delivery. Simultaneously, a pressure sensor 11 within the liquid chamber continuously monitors pressure to ensure system safety. In the event of any potentially hazardous situation, the system can open the air valve 1 in the air chamber to connect to the external environment, releasing internal pressure and ensuring system safety. Throughout this process, a liquid filter within the pipeline removes solid particles and impurities from the liquid, ensuring liquid purity and thus guaranteeing system reliability and longevity.

[0049] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. The embodiments described above are only descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solution of the present invention by ordinary technicians in this field should fall within the scope of protection determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A three-chamber accumulator with adjustable volume, characterized in that, Comprising: An accumulator, including a housing (2), within which a liquid chamber, a gas chamber, and an adjustment chamber are formed; A gas column is disposed within the gas chamber; an adjustment assembly is disposed within the adjustment chamber, and the adjustment assembly is used to adjust the volume of the gas column; A liquid pump (13), which is connected to the liquid chamber through a pipeline.

2. The adjustable-volume three-chamber accumulator according to claim 1, wherein: At least two liquid dampers (14) are installed on the pipeline.

3. The adjustable-volume three-chamber accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (2) is a columnar structure with one end open, and a lower end cover (8) is fixedly installed at the open end of the housing (2). A through hole for communicating with the pipeline is provided at the center of the lower end cover (8); the lower end cover (8) and the inner wall of the housing (2) are sealed and connected through an end cover seal; the bottom of the liquid chamber is formed on the lower end cover (8).

4. The adjustable-volume three-chamber accumulator according to claim 3, wherein: A protection device (10) is also fixedly installed on the lower end cover (8).

5. The adjustable-volume three-chamber accumulator according to claim 3, characterized in that: A pressure sensor (11) is installed at the bottom of the liquid chamber.

6. The adjustable-volume three-chamber accumulator according to claim 1, wherein: The top of the liquid chamber is connected to the gas chamber through a piston (6); the piston (6) and the inner wall of the housing (2) are sealed and connected through a piston seal (7).

7. The adjustable - volume triple - chamber accumulator according to claim 6, wherein: The gas column includes a gas column outer wall (4) and a gas column inner wall (5); the gas column outer wall (4) also extends out of the housing (2) through a gas valve (1); a displacement sensor (15) is installed on the gas column outer wall (4) and the piston (6).

8. The adjustable-volume three-chamber accumulator according to claim 7, wherein: The gas column inner wall (5) is also connected to a gas storage tank (16).

9. The adjustable-volume triple-chamber accumulator according to claim 7, wherein: The liquid chamber is in communication with the gas chamber. The adjustment assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder (3), an oil delivery pipe (12) is installed on the hydraulic cylinder (3), and the hydraulic cylinder (3) is in contact with the gas column outer wall (4).

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