Abstract A pressure vessel in the form of a hydro-pneumatic flexible bladder accumulator is provided which is formed of a cylindrical shell closed at one end and having an open mouth at the other end. An open-ended thimble-shaped deformable bladder of resilient material is positioned within the shell. A head is welded, or otherwise attached to the open mouth of the shell, and in one embodiment the head defines an annular skirt section on its inner face having a peripheral groove which serves to receive the open end of the bladder. One edge of the groove forms a lip at the end of the skirt section. The mouth of the bladder extends over the lip of the groove in a tight resilient fit with the skirt section, and with its rim interposed between the skirt section and the adjacent inner surface of the shell. An O-ring is mounted in the groove adjacent its other edge, and the O-ring is positioned under the rim of the bladder to form an effective seal for the interior of the bladder. The sealing O-ring causes gas pressure in the bladder to force the rim of the bladder to be wedged tightly against the adjacent inner surface of the shell so as to obviate any tendency for the bladder to creep up into the space between the lip and the inner surface of the shell during the operation of the accumulator, which would result in wear and damage to the bladder. The bladder is firmly retained on the skirt section without the need for bonding, or otherwise affixing the bladder to the skirt. In a second embodiment the bladder is supported in like manner on the end of an internal sleeve within the shell.
A hydro-pneumatic accumulator comprising: an elongated shell having a liquid port at one end and a gas port at the other end; a supporting structure fixed to said shell and defining a first annular skirt section of reduced diameter forming a first shoulder, and a second annular skirt section of further reduced diameter, the first and second skirt sections being displaced radially inwardly from the inner surface of said shell, and the second skirt section forming a second shoulder and having a lip at the end thereof and forming a peripheral groove between the lip and the second shoulder; an O-ring extending around said groove adjacent to the second shoulder; and a thimble-shaped bladder of resilient, deformable material mounted in said shell between the liquid port and the gas port with its mouth extending over said first and second annular skirt sections of said supporting structure in resilient engagement therewith; and with the rim of the bladder extending into the space between the first and second skirt sections and the inner surface of said shell, over the lip of the second skirt section and over the iO-ring, and said rim having an undercut end portion which extends over the first skirt section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A hydro-pneumatic accumulator comprising: an elongated shell having a liquid port at one end and a gas port at the other end; a supporting structure fixed to said shell and defining a first annular skirt section of reduced diameter forming a first shoulder, and a second annular skirt section of further reduced diameter, the first and second skirt sections being displaced radially inwardly from the inner surface of said shell, and the second skirt section forming a second shoulder and having a lip at the end thereof and forming a peripheral groove between the lip and the second shoulder; an O-ring extending around said groove adjacent to the second shoulder; and a thimble-shaped bladder of resilient, deformable material mounted in said shell between the liquid port and the gas port with its mouth extending over said first and second annular skirt sections of said supporting structure in resilient engagement therewith; and with the rim of the bladder extending into the space between the first and second skirt sections and the inner surface of said shell, over the lip of the second skirt section and over the iO-ring, and said rim having an undercut end portion which extends over the first skirt section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hydro-pneumatic accumulator defined in claim 1, in which said supporting structure comprises a head enclosing one end of the elongated shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hydro-pneumatic accumulator defined in claim 1, and which includes a head enclosing one end of the shell, and in which said supporting structure comprises a coaxial sleeve affixed to said head.