Bladder Accumulator Integrated Isolation Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bladder accumulators in hydraulic systems face challenges during high-pressure testing, as they can be damaged by pressures exceeding their design limits, requiring additional components like isolating valves that increase the accumulator's height or require detachment and reconnection, which are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a valve arrangement within the fluid port assembly, such as a ball valve, that can be manually operated to isolate the accumulator during testing and fixed in the open position for normal operation, maintaining compactness and preventing height increase, with a connection arrangement like a flange or threaded element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an isolating valve is fitted in the hydraulic system to isolate the accumulator during high-pressure testing, then the accumulator can be protected from damage, but the height of the accumulator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolating valve is merged with the fluid port assembly, combining two separate components (valve and fluid port) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for additional external valve components that would increase height, while still providing the necessary isolation function during pressure testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement is nested within the fluid port assembly structure, placing the valve inside or integrated into the existing fluid port housing. This nesting approach allows the valve to occupy space within the existing structural envelope rather than adding external height.
2Reliability
If the accumulator is detached from the hydraulic system for pressure testing, then the accumulator can be protected from damage, but time and effort are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The isolating valve is integrated into the fluid port assembly, creating a permanent, built-in isolation mechanism. This eliminates the need for detachment and reconnection operations, as the valve can be closed to isolate the accumulator while it remains connected to the hydraulic system, significantly reducing procedural time and effort.
3Length of stationary object
If a valve arrangement is incorporated within the fluid port assembly, then the accumulator remains compact, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement is merged with the fluid port assembly, combining multiple functions (fluid port, valve housing, valve mechanism) into a single integrated component. This integration reduces the overall number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing complexity despite adding valve functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid port assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the fluid connection port and houses the isolating valve mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, simplifying the overall device architecture while providing both connection and isolation capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient high-pressure testing without increasing the accumulator's height, ensuring safe operation and reducing the time and effort required for testing procedures while maintaining the compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The valve arrangement may be a ball valve arrangement, in which case, the valve element may be a ball valve element, rotatably mounted within the portion of the channel
Implementation Method 2
poppet valve arrangement, comprising a poppet valve and spring arranged to force the poppet valve against a seat
Implementation Method 3
Accumulator design usually demands some means of separating the gas from the hydraulic fluid in the vessel and this is generally done by using a rubber bag or bladder, fitted within the vessel, to store the gas
Implementation Method 4
If an inert gas, such as nitrogen, is contained under pressure in a vessel and hydraulic fluid is pumped into that vessel at a higher pressure of that of the nitrogen gas, the nitrogen gas will compress until the pressure of the nitrogen gas is the same as that of the fluid being pumped
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A bladder (4) accumulator comprises a fluid port assembly (12), for communicating between a main housing (2) of the accumulator and a connection arrangement of the accumulator. An isolation valve arrangement (24, 26) is located within the fluid port assembly (12) and is moveable between an open position for normal operation of the bladder (4) accumulator and a closed position for isolating the bladder accumulator from a hydraulic system, to which it is mounted, wherein, the valve arrangement (24, 26) is fixable in the open position.