Flexible-Rod Piston Accumulator for Bending Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston accumulators are inadequate for applications where both the accumulator housing and separating piston arrangement are subject to significant bending stresses, leading to potential failure, especially in dynamic environments like wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A piston accumulator design featuring two disc-shaped piston parts securely connected via an elastically flexible piston rod, allowing for curvature and return to the initial state under external forces, ensuring the separating piston can follow deflections without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid construction of accumulator housing and separating piston arrangement is used, then stability and sealing reliability are improved, but the ability to withstand bending stresses is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The separating piston is divided into two piston parts (first piston part and second piston part) that can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows each part to independently accommodate bending stresses while maintaining the overall sealing function, resolving the contradiction between rigid sealing reliability and flexibility against bending stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The two piston parts are designed to be movable relative to each other, creating a dynamic structure that can adapt to bending stresses. The relative movement capability allows the separating piston to flex and follow deflections of the accumulator housing without compromising the seal between gas and liquid media.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the separating piston is firmly connected to the accumulator housing, then positioning stability is improved, but the ability to follow deflections under bending stress is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The separating piston is segmented into two movable parts that can adjust their relative positions. This allows the piston assembly to maintain stable positioning while adapting to housing deflections through the relative movement of the segments, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the two piston parts along the longitudinal axis can change dynamically in response to bending stresses. This parameter change enables the separating piston to follow housing deflections while maintaining functional stability in separating the gas and liquid media.
3Device complexity
If a single rigid piston design is used, then structural simplicity is improved, but the ability to operate safely under large deflections is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is divided into two parts that can move relative to each other, creating a simple yet effective mechanism for accommodating deflections. This segmented design maintains relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving reliability under large deflections compared to a single rigid piston.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connection between the two piston parts introduces dynamic capability to an otherwise simple structure. This allows the piston assembly to safely operate under large deflections by enabling the parts to adjust their relative positions in response to bending stresses.
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
The design enables safe and reliable operation of piston accumulators even under large deflections, maintaining functionality and preventing deformation when load is removed, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
two piston parts, which are formed as discs with the same outer diameter and which are securely connected to each other via an elastically flexible piston rod (17)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a piston accumulator comprising an accumulator housing and a separator piston which is longitudinally moveably guided therein and separates two media chambers from one another inside the accumulator housing, in particular separating a media chamber with a working gas from another media chamber with a fluid, such as hydraulic oil, wherein the separator piston has two piston parts which are formed as discs with the same outer diameter and which are securely connected to one another and held at a distance from one another via an elastically flexible piston rod, which, with the influence of at least one external force, allows for a curvature as a whole, starting from a starting state, and returns to the starting state with the removal of the respective force.