Piston Accumulator Return Valve for Gas-Side Fluid Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piston accumulators in hydraulic systems face issues with unintentional hydraulic fluid overflow from the liquid side to the gas side, leading to pressure/volume characteristic curve deterioration and limited service life.
Innovation Solution
A return device is implemented to partially return liquid from the gas side to the liquid side using a float or control piston, which opens a non-return valve when a pressure differential is reached, ensuring the liquid is returned and maintaining the pressure/volume characteristic curve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piston seal is used on the separating piston to prevent liquid transfer, then the separation between liquid side and gas side is improved, but liquid accidentally transfers from the liquid side to the gas side over time, deteriorating the pressure/volume characteristic curve and limiting service life
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of liquid leakage on the gas side into a beneficial automatic return process. When liquid accumulates on the gas side, it increases the pressure differential that automatically opens the non-return valve, causing the liquid to flow back to the liquid side through the guide. This self-correcting mechanism transforms the harmful leakage into a self-regulating system that maintains long-term reliability without compromising service life.
2Volume of stationary object
If the separating piston is made bowl-shaped to increase gas side volume, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the pressure/volume characteristic curve deteriorates due to liquid accumulation on the gas side
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a non-return valve as an intermediary element within the bowl-shaped separating piston. This valve acts as a mediator that allows liquid to pass through the piston structure back to the liquid side when pressure differential exceeds a threshold, while maintaining the bowl shape's volume advantage. The intermediary valve prevents liquid accumulation from deteriorating the pressure/volume characteristic curve.
3Reliability
If a return device with non-return valve is implemented to return liquid from gas side to liquid side, then the pressure/volume characteristic curve is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the return device functionality directly into the bowl-shaped separating piston structure. The non-return valve, guide, and liquid passages are integrated within the piston's internal cavity, eliminating the need for separate external return mechanisms. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the pressure/volume characteristic curve.
4Extent of automation
If a float mechanism is used to control the non-return valve opening, then the automatic operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float mechanism is designed to automatically respond to liquid level changes on the gas side without external control. When liquid accumulates, the float rises and automatically opens the non-return valve through mechanical linkage. When liquid returns to the liquid side, the float descends and automatically closes the valve. This self-service mechanism achieves full automation with minimal complexity.
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
This solution prevents significant changes in free gas volume and ensures long-term trouble-free operation of the piston accumulator by maintaining the optimal pressure/volume characteristic curve.
Implementation Method 1
a float which is guided in a longitudinally movable manner in a guide of the separating piston and which, floating up under the influence of the liquid on the gas side of the storage housing, opens a path to a non-return valve
Implementation Method 2
If the check valve is set in such a way that it opens at a pressure on the gas side that exceeds the pressure on the liquid side by a preferably low differential pressure Δp
Data Source
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AI summary
A piston accumulator, comprising an accumulator housing and a separator piston (8) which is guided such that it can move longitudinally in said housing and which separates a liquid side (4) from a gas side (10) in the accumulator housing, liquid passing unintentionally from the liquid side (4) to the gas side (10) despite a piston seal on the separator piston (8), is characterized in that at least part of said liquid is returned from the gas side (10) of the accumulator housing to the liquid side (4) thereof by means of a return device (28).