Hydraulic Accumulator Closing Arrangement for Harsh Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic accumulators face challenges in harsh environments, such as the sea floor, where threaded end caps can rust, corrode, or become encumbered, making disassembly and maintenance difficult.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic accumulator design featuring a removable end cap, segmented locking ring, and pilot ring, which provides a secure and easy-to-operate closing arrangement, preventing the end cap from moving inwards or outwards, using a segmented ring recess and pilot ring to facilitate easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded end caps are used to secure the accumulator housing, then the connection is strong and reliable, but the end caps become difficult to remove due to corrosion and debris in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple segments (locking segments with teeth) that can independently engage with corresponding features on the end cap and housing, allowing the locking function to be distributed across multiple discrete elements rather than a single threaded connection
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot ring is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently installed and removed to facilitate access to the locking segments, extracting the installation/removal function from the main end cap assembly
Solution Approach 3:
The locking segments are designed to be movable along the circumferential direction, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states, allowing the locking mechanism to dynamically adjust between locked and unlocked positions rather than being fixed in one state
2Stability of the object's composition
If the end cap is securely locked to prevent movement, then the sealing and structural integrity are maintained, but the end cap becomes difficult to remove for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot ring is installed beforehand to engage with the locking segments and hold them in a predetermined engaged position, preliminarily establishing the locked state before final assembly is completed
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot ring acts as an intermediary component between the operator and the locking segments, providing a convenient interface for engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism without requiring direct manipulation of the end cap threads
3Strength
If threaded connections are used in harsh environments, then initial assembly is secure, but corrosion and debris accumulation make disassembly extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded mechanical connection is replaced with a locking segment system that uses radial engagement features (teeth and grooves) rather than spiral threading, substituting a different mechanical principle that is less susceptible to corrosion-related seizing
Solution Approach 2:
Different components of the closing arrangement have different material properties and surface characteristics optimized for their specific functions, with the locking segments and pilot ring designed to resist corrosion and debris accumulation in their specific operational zones
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic accumulator having a closing arrangement. The accumulator has a housing, a removable end cap, a segmented locking ring, and a pilot ring. The housing has at least one opening, an interior space, and a ring recess adjacent the opening. The removable end cap is sized to close the opening when in a closed position. The segmented locking ring is removably positioned within the ring recess adjacent the end cap opposite the interior space to stop the end cap from moving in a first direction away from the interior space. The locking ring may be segmented. The pilot ring is removably connected to the end cap and positioned to hold the locking ring in the ring recess when connected to the end cap.