US3028881A - Pressure accumulator apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P. c. KOOMEY ET AL 3,028,881

PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR APPARATUS April 10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1960 V WWW a W 4 W W1 2 B ATTOR/VFYS April 10, 1962 P. C. KOOMEY ETAL PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR APPARATUS 2 SheetS -Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 17, 1960 Pau/ C. Kaamey Pcz V/ C. f/uasofl INVENTORS BY {Zr/{w flaw/z A24 6% 7% ATTUR/Vf/S" res atnt ice Uilitfi St FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 illustrating 3,028,881 the apparatus according to the present invention in posi- PRESSURE ACCUMULATGR APPARATUS Paul C. Koomey and Paul C. Hudson, Houston, Tex., as-

tion in which the accumulator is empty and open to atmospheric pressure, and

tion filled with liquid and charged with gas.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral signers to Stewart and Distributing 5 generally designates the pressure accumulator appa- Pany, iis z d l l s fi lgh il gg l qf "7 ratus of the present invention. As is conventional the 5 2 i apparatus 10 generally includes a cylindrical body 12, a

flexible partition here shown as a diaphragm 14 for sep- The present invention relates to an improvement in a arating a compressible gas such as nitrogen from the inpressure accumulator apparatus, and more particularly 10 compressible liquid, a gas valve 16 in the accumulator relates to such a pressure accumulator in which the movegas opening 18 and an accumulator liquid opening 20 for ment of the flexible partition is guided and controllrzdi.1h admigsiondand exit of thehincompreslsible liquid which is Pressure accumulators for storing fluid energy 0 e store un er pressure in t e accumu ator. desired volume and pressure until the stored energy is The present invention is directed to guiding, controlling, required are gegerally provided Iflvitida fielrfibile partitipn andt Ithe dilrectior of mogement 1 f thle ilexble such as a diap ragm, bag, or a er w c separa es pa 11011 ere s own y way 0 ex-ampe ony as rea compressible gas from an incompressible liquid in the phragm 14. Of course, the flexible partition 14 may be accumulator body. However, the flexible partition or in the form of a separator bag, or any type of elastic sepwall between the gas and liquid is subjected to high presarator and may be made out of any conventional material sures and continuous flexing between the gas and liquid such as one of the various rubber synthetics. The guide and the accumulator body which consequently shortens assembly generally includes a guide assembly 22 secured the life of the flexible partition. Furthermore, since the :10 the flexitble partitioln 14 abncl sejaingly slidacliale up ang conventional accumulator diaphragm or separator bag is own in t e accumu ator o y in accor ance wit flexible it provides an unstable partition which is subject 25 the existing pressure conditions applied on the opposite to continual movement and wear. The present invention SIdeS Of the diaphragm 14. Stops 26 and 28 are provided, is directed to improvements in a pressure accumulator by ne on one side and one on the second side of the flexible providing a guide assembly for the flexible partition. partluon 14 to limit the travel 1n elther direction Of It 18 therefore an ob ect of the present lIlVfiIlilO-n to proe e the Stops 26 and 23 here Shown Could he Omlited, vide a guide assembly for a flexible partition in a pressure 30 t d and t ends 9 the accumulator, e 0 ac accumulator which will control the limit of travel of the of the fiehlhle p g l fiil iisergia as stops. fl ibl titi or convenience o securing t e exi e partition 14 A further object of the present invention is the provision phr gm t0 the body 12, the body 12 consists of an of a guide apparatus for the diaphragm or separator bag upper tubular shell 39 abutting and held to a lower tubular of a pressure accumulator which stabilizes the flexible 3 3 a flange assembly pp and lower Shells partition betwgen cimpressfibgi and incompressible fluldls. 39 1 each hqpl l g 111 h shellltwallhto form A stil furt er 0 ject o e present invention is t e a clrcu 3f gmove J W 16 W e11 Secure Oge er may provision of a guide apparatus for accumulator partition 61191056 and Secure the Outer P p y of the diaphragm including a rod in the accumulator body having a slidable 14 f the y 12 of h accumulatofe, y connection thereon which is connected to the flexible par- 40 g ii gz ij seaming the flexible Pflfhtloll 14 111 t ti-tion. o y may e use Yet a further object of the present invention is the pro- P h y, when hsing diaPhTagm p flexible P vision of a uide assembly in a pressure accumulator inmlofi, t e Outer P p y 0f the Partition 14 of diacluding a gl iide rod on which a plate connected to the I- Should be Spaced equal distance fr m and between flexible partition is sealingly slidable thereby reducing the i PS and 28 h y reducing the a of the flexarea of the fiexlble partition and also preventing wear and lble p 14 that 18 f q f and thereby l'educlflg the pinching of the flexible partition against the body of the a h element Whlch 15 most sublect Wear an accumumton eterioratlon.

A still further object of the present invention is the h p 28 i5 p h y located j t h id provision of a guided partition in a pressure accumulator P and f y 1 he f rm of a tube for conand a guide assembly which includes stops on either side Valence h Q Cfiurse, h p can be of the partition thereby limiting the travel of the partition Omitted by E h gulde i y 22 to Contact in either direction so as to prevent excessive stretching l l n gz the Inner 3 1 e l w r end of the of the partition. 5 6

Yet a further object of the present invention is the pro- The St?!) is P Y Positioned Spaced 'bm he a accumu ator w 'c inc u es a rigi p ate secure to e j c center of the diaphragm and which is attached to a sleeve :gfigf; 5 gas g i to ltfsure that .there which is slidable on a guide rod in the accumulator and 5%; 33 d h 5 of il d 1 en a e a stlo tas ondegherflslidei of lghe plate to hmrt the travel of the fins the entire f i It s gligg flfat t l le paean us e iapragm. 4

Other and further objects, features an d advantages will :2; Ii? gli i igi 2 gfiz gi gg iggi i z f the P2;- be apparent from the following description of a presently Preferably Sm 26 is apcircul'r 1d t gl a d preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purto Sun ortptye tide a fi 0 e pose of i and taken m.conjunction with the ac- 65 described herein afte r This as hoted i n i l liiE 1 3 anymgk drawmgsh Where like character Feferences and 2 the steps 26 and 23 control the limit of travel of eglgnate 11 6 Parts 15 roughou't the several and the llexible partition 14 in either direction thereby pre- W ete venting excessive stretching of the partition and reducing FIGURE 11s an elevat1onalv1ew,1n sectiomillu stratmg the Wear and prolonging the life of the flexible parti the apparatus according to the present invention in pos1- i 14.

. And as previously mentioned a guide assembly 22 which 18 slidably supported on a rod 24 guides the movement Patented Apr. 10, 1962 of the flexible partition 14 thereby providing a stable separator between the gas and liquid and prevents flem'ng, pinching and wear on the flexible wall 14 at the point of greatest movement of the partition 14. The rod 24 may be secured at one end adjacent the fluid opening 29 by support member 44 which includes a plurality of openings 46 for the passage of liquid into and out of the body 12.

The guide assembly 22 is provided sealingly slidable on the rod 2 6 and secured to the diaphragm 14 in any suitable manner. Preferably, the guide assembly 22 includes two circular metal plates 48 and 50 sandwiched about the inner portion of the flexible diaphragm 14. The plates 43 and 56 are preferably secured about a sleeve 52 by a threaded nut 54 and shoulder 56. Preferably, the plates 43 and 50 are made as large in diameter as possible but leaving an adequate clearance between the periphery of the plates 48 and t) and the inside of the body 12 so as not to bind or unduly flex the partition 14 as the plates 43 and 53 move upward and downward. However, by making the plates as large as possible, the area of the partition 14 is reduced thereby reducing the area of the part that most easily wears out. Furthermore, the plates insure a more stable partition between the gas and the liquid. The sleeve 52 is slidable on the rod 24 and includes a closed end 53 thus slidingly supporting the guide assembly 22 as it moves upward and downward and end 53 prevents and seals off the gas from the liquid without requiring a pressure seal which would be sub jected to wearing out and require replacement. In addition a tubular support member 60 may be provided in the compartment 33 secured at one end adjacent the opening 18 and secured to the stop member 26 at the other end and positioned to elescopically receive the sleeve 52 as the assembly 22 moves upwardly as shown in FIGURE 2. Openings 62 are provided in the tubular support 60 for passage of gas between compartment 33 and opening 13. Thus, a telescopically slidable structure is provided to support the guide assembly 22 as it moves from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to the position shown in FIGURE 2. Of course, the plates 48 and 50 could be provided to sealingly slide on the rod 24 if desired; however, the sleeve 52 provides desirable support for the guide assembly 22 in view of the pressures involved and prevents the plates from binding on the rod 24.

It is noted that since the circular plates 48 and 50 enclose the flexible diaphragm 14 they protect the diaphragm 14 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 from ordinary wear and pinching against the stops 26 and 28 and limit the travel of the diaphragm in either direction as the plates themselves contact the stops 26 and 28. It is further noted that since the circular plates 48 and 5t) replace and reduce the area of the flexible diaphragm or partition 14 that is exposed to flexing and wear the life of the diaphragm I4 is increased. Furthermore, it is noted that the guide assembly 22 provides a more stable wall or partition between the gas and the liquid in the accumulator body than is found in the conventional separator bag type accumulator. Thus, the guide assembly increases the life of the flexible partition 14 by preventing excessive stretching and reduces wear and pinching on the partition.

In use, the accumulator is shown in FIGURE 1 as being empty and open to atmospheric pressure. For storing fluid energy for use, the accumulator is connected as is conventional in a system whereby the cover 66 is removed, the valve 16 is connected to a gas supply, normally nitrogen, and the opening 20 is connected to a fluid system such as oil or other incompressible fluid whereby the incompressible liquid can be stored under pressure to later provide a useful work force. Preferably, the accumulator would be charged with gas which would enter the valve 16, go through the opening 18 into the upper compartment 38 through ports 62 and below the stop member 26 through the ports 60 and act on the upper side of the diaphragm 14. The guide assembly 22 would be in the position as shown in FEGURE 1 with the exception that the diaphragm 14 would be fixed outwardly against the inner wall of the lower shell 32 similar to the flexing shown in FIGURE 2. Then as liquid is pumped in through the opening 20 into the lower part of the accumulator it below the flexible partition 14 the gas above the flexible partition 14 would be compressed and the slide assembly 23 would slide upwardly on the rod 24. it is to be noted that the moving plates 48 and 50 securely hold and guide the point of greatest movement of the flexible partition 14 and thereby prevent unstable movement at this flexible portion of the partition and eliminate undue flexing and wear during the up and down movement at this point of greatest flexibility and movement. The guide assembly 22 continues to move upward compressing the gas into compartment 38 until the upper plate 5'0 contacts and is stopped by stop 26. At this point the flexible diaphragm 14 and the guide assembly 22 will be in the position as shown in FIGURE 2. Thus it is noted that the upward movement of the diaphragm 14 is thus stopped preventing excessive stretching of the diaphragm and it is noted that the plate 43 and not the diaphragm 14 makes contact with the stop member 26 to prevent wear and pinching of the diaphragm on metal contact.

Thus as the guide assembly moves upward, the tubular sleeve slides upward on rod 24 and thus guides and supports the plates 48 and 59 which are secured to the sleeve 52. As the sleeve 52 further moves upwardly it telescopes into the interior of the tubular support 60 thus insuring that the guide assembly 22 is securely supported as it is moved upward and downward under high pressures. Of course, the support 60 could be omitted and the rod 24 could be extended to the upper end of the body 12. In that case a sliding seal would have to be provided between Sleeve 52 and rod 24. In the preferred arrangement shown the end 58 on the sleeve 52 provides a seal between the gas and the liquid through the sliding assembly 22. This seal is permanent and need not be periodically replaced.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 the gas '70 under pressure acts as a dynamic force to maintain pressure in the accumulator on the liquid 72 beneath the diaphragm 14 and to force out that liquid when the system to which the accumulator is connected permits such discharge.

Thus as the system on which the accumulator 10 is connected permits, the compressed gas 70 above the flexible diaphragm 14 acts against the fluid 72 beneath the diaphragm 14 and pushes it out of the opening 20. Thus the guide assembly 22 moves downwardly on the rod 24 as the sleeve 52 telescopically moves out of the support member 60 and down the rod 24 and thereby supports and guides the plates 48 and 50. When the plate 59 reaches the lower end or" the accumulator body 12 it encounters and is stopped by stop member 28 to limit the travel of the flexible diaphragm in its lower position. Thus the guide assembly moves up and down on the rod 24 by means of the sleeve 52 which is supported by the rod 24 when the assembly 22 is in the lower end of the accumulator and is supported and guided by the support member 60 when the accumulator is filled with liquid 72 and the assembly 22 is in an up position.

Thus the guide assembly of the present invention prevents excessive stretching of the flexible partition 14 as it moves from one extreme position to its other extreme position on operation of the accumulator and also prevents wear and pinching of the partition or bag by the fact that the plates 48 and 50 make the contact of each limit of travel and the flexible partition 14 is not subjected to pinching and wearing against the metal. Furthermore, the plates 43 and 50 provide a stable separator wall between the gas and liquid in the accumulator proventing additional flexing and wear on the partition wall which is likely to occur in conventional separator bags. In addition, it is noted that by the use of this invention the area of the flexible partition 14 that is exposed to flexing may be reduced to a minimum thereby reducing the size of the component of the accumulator that is most subjected to wear and replacement.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluid accumulator comprising, a body, a diaphragm in said body, the outer periphery of said diaphragm connected to said body and separating the body into two fluid compartments, a rod secured internally of said body and passing through said diaphragm, guide means including a plate secured to each side of the diaphragm, said guide means movable in the body on either side of the connection of the diaphragm to the body, said guide means sealingly slidable on said rod, and stop means positioned on each side of the guide means and positioned to contact one of said plates thereby limiting the travel of said guide means and diaphragm in either direction.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the stop means are equally spaced from the point of connection of the diaphragm to the body.

3. The improvement in a fluid accumulator having a body, a diaphragm in said body, said diaphragm attached to said body dividing said body into two fluid compartments, comprising, a stop member in said body on one side of said diaphragm, a guide rod one end of which is secured adjacent one end of the body, said guide rod passing through said diaphragm and the second end of said guide rod positioned adjacent said stop member, a

plate secured to said diaphragm, and a guide sleeve secured to said plate and sealingly slidable on said guide rod, a tubular support member between said stop member and the second end of said body adapted to guide and enclose said guide sleeve as it is moved into said support member.

4. A fiuid accumulator comprising a body, a stop memher in said body, a diaphragm in said body on one side of said stop member and attached to said body approximately equal distance between said stop member and the first end of said body, a guide rod secured to said first end of said body and passing through said diaphragm and extending adjacent said stop member, a sleeve closed at one end slidable on said rod, a guide attached to said sleeve and secured to said diaphragm, and a guide tube axially aligned with said sleeve and secured between said stop member and the second end of said body adapted to slidably receive and guide said sleeve.

5. The improvement in a pressure accumulator having a body and a flexible partition in and secured to said body comprising, a stop member in said body on one side of the partition, a guide rod secured to said first end of said body and passing through said flexible partition, and extending adjacent said stop member, said stop member spaced from said second end of the body, a sleeve closed at one end slidable on said rod, a plate attached to said sleeve and secured to said flexible partition, and a guide tube axially aligned with said sleeve and secured between said stop member and the second end of said body for slidably receiving and supporting said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PA' IENTS 2,809,665 Crowe Oct. 15, 1957

Images