Screen-Free Pressure Accumulator for Rock Breaker Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure accumulators in rock breaking machines have disadvantages such as dead volume due to internal screens, complexity, weight, and high costs, which affect the efficient storage and release of pressure energy.
Innovation Solution
A screen-free pressure accumulator design featuring a casing, elastic membrane, and flange element with integrated pressure channels, where the membrane is supported only by the flange element, allowing for radial and axial expansion to store pressurized fluid without a screen, facilitating compact, lightweight, and easy mounting configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screen is used to support the membrane in the pressure accumulator, then the membrane is mechanically supported and stable, but dead volume increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screen component from the pressure accumulator design. Instead of using a screen to support the membrane, the invention allows the membrane to expand and contract freely within the hydraulic fluid, eliminating the dead volume associated with screen structures while maintaining membrane stability through proper anchoring at the edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can expand and contract to accommodate pressure changes without requiring rigid support structures like screens. The membrane is anchored at its edges to the accumulator housing, allowing it to function as both a separator and a flexible volume-adjustment mechanism, thereby eliminating dead volume while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a screen is installed in the pressure accumulator, then the membrane is supported, but the accumulator becomes heavier and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the screen component entirely, removing its associated weight from the accumulator assembly. The membrane is supported only at its edges through anchoring mechanisms, allowing the central portion to remain free and flexible, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining functional reliability.
3Reliability
If a screen is used in the pressure accumulator, then the membrane is mechanically supported, but the structure becomes more complex and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screen component, simplifying the accumulator structure to essentially three main elements: the housing, the membrane, and the edge anchoring mechanism. This reduction in components decreases structural complexity and facilitates easier maintenance and inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane in this invention serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a separator between different fluid chambers, a flexible volume-adjustment mechanism, and a sealed barrier. By combining these functions into a single component without requiring additional support screens, the design reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 solution enables efficient storage and release of pressure energy with reduced dead volume, improved durability, and simplified maintenance, as the membrane can expand to accommodate hydraulic fluid volume changes without mechanical support, enhancing the operational efficiency and accessibility of rock breaking machines.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic membrane is arranged inside a casing of the pressure accumulator. The membrane divides the inner space into two separate pressure spaces. The membrane has radial side walls, edges at its open first axial end and a closed top end at its opposite second axial end.
Implementation Method 2
When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic space, it pushes the membrane towards the gas space, thus making the pre-filled gas on the opposite side of the membrane compress. Then the structure simultaneously stores energy that can be released
Implementation Method 3
When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic space, it pushes the membrane towards the gas space, thus making the pre-filled gas on the opposite side of the membrane compress. Then the structure simultaneously stores energy that can be released
Implementation Method 4
When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic space, it pushes the membrane towards the gas space, thus making the pre-filled gas on the opposite side of the membrane compress
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure accumulator, rock breaking machine and method of storing pressure energy. The accumulator includes a casing and an elastic membrane arranged inside the casing. The membrane divides an inner space of the casing into two separate pressure spaces. A gas space is prefilled with pressurized gas. On the opposite side of the membrane is a hydraulic space for receiving hydraulic fluid. The membrane is a hat-like element having side walls, a mounting flange at its open end and a closed top end. The mounting flange of the membrane is mounted between the casing and a flange element. The accumulator is without a screen. The flange element is provided with a sealing for sealing a piston.