Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low cost accumulator device and the method of making the same. The device is fabricated by utilizing the shell or pressure vessel as a mold component wherein a bladder is molded in situ, the bladder being bonded in the course of the formation thereof to the interior of the vessel and preferably also to a valve member.

Abstract: An accumulator device which incorporates an improved mounting for the bladder assembly. More particularly, there is provided a stem adapted to be secured to the pressure vessel, the stem having a mounting portion to which the mouth of the bladder is bonded, the configuration of the mounting portion and the configuration of the bladder member adjacent the mouth assuring the formation of a tight leakproof gas and oil seal, and augmenting the integrity of the connection between bladder and stem.

Abstract: An accumulator device comprising a pressure vessel having a replaceable bladder assembly adapted to be inserted into position within the vessel through a bore defining the gas charging port. The device is characterized by the provision of a bladder assembly having a stem molded thereto and adapted to project through the bore at the gas charging end of the vessel. A locking ring having larger diameter than the bore is rendered insertible endwise into the interior of the vessel as a result of the provision of reduced side portions. A retainer plate is provided which is insertible over the stem from the exterior of the vessel, the retaining plate including aligned portions projecting downwardly into the bore and filling the space between the reduced side or clearance portions of the ring and the bore to prevent extrusion of the bladder through the bore.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener device particularly adapted for the efficient dampening of pulsations over a wide frequency range. The device is characterized by the ability to operate over a high temperature range and be operable when contacted by corrosive and like aggressive fluids within which pulses are generated. The device includes a pressure vessel which is cylindrical in section, a piston member shiftable axially within the vessel and dividing the same into a gas chamber and a fluid chamber, the piston incorporating a deflectible diaphragm disposed within a permeable cage whereby dampening may be effected by either or both of a bodily movement of the piston within the vessel or by deflecting movements of the diaphragms within the cage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydraulic accumulator device which may be built at low cost and which includes an elastomeric bladder member and a button or valve component adapted to seat on the oil port when pressures in the gas chamber exceed the pressure in the hydraulic line and to unseat when the pressure conditions are reversed. The device includes a button carried by the bladder positioned to seat on the oil port and is characterized by the button, bladder, and oil port having certain critical dimensional inter-relationships which greatly reduce the possibility of damage to the bladder and consequent failure of the accumulator.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved pressure pulse dampener device comprising a pressure vessel having a movable partition therein dividing the vessel into two chambers, each chamber having a port in communication therewith, namely, a gas port for charging one of said chambers with gas under pressure and an oil port. The oil port is rigidly secured to a hollow fitting having an inlet and an outlet port, with means interposed between the ports for diverting the flow toward the oil port, the device being characterized by the provision within the fitting of an expansion chamber having a progressively increased cross section area juxtaposed to a baffle interposed between the inlet and outlet ports, the chamber providing improved dampening characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low cost accumulator device having a pressure vessel formed of two components, namely, a shell and a cap, the seal between the shell and cap being effected in the course of mounting the shell to the cap by compression of a thickened rim portion of the bladder between the shell and cap components, the apparatus being so constructed and arranged that optimum compression of the rim portion is automatically achieved, thereby avoiding under-compression with possible resultant leaks or over-compression with possible damage to the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fail-safe actuator and hydraulic system incorporating the same. The actuator includes energy storage means in the form of a spring adapted to set a control device in a predetermined condition, illustratively in the closed condition, responsive to a failure situation, illustratively, a power failure. The actuator includes a coupling which permits normal operation of the control device without cycling the spring energy storage means, thus increasing the life of the spring and eliminating energy wastage inherent in cocking the spring during each operative cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an accumulator device of the type which includes a pressure vessel having an oil port at one end, a bladder dividing the vessel into two chambers, a removable cap member at the other end retaining the bladder in position, the cap member including a gas charging valve assembly. The apparatus is characterized by a safety feature whereby the cap member may not be removed without first having removed the gas charging valve assembly, whereby it is assured that the gas pressure within the gas chamber will have previously been vented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the method of manufacturing a pressure vessel for use as a hydraulic accumulator, pulse dampener or like apparatus employing an elastomeric bladder member, from a cylindrical member which includes the steps of deforming a first end of the member to provide an essentially hemispherical portion having an oil port, installing the elastomeric bladder assembly within said cylindrical member while the other end of said member remains in its essentially cylindrical configuration, and thereafter inwardly deforming the second end of said member while heating the same, said last mentioned heating and deforming steps being carried out while injecting through the last mentioned end a stream of cooling fluid which follows the internal wall portions of the bladder to minimize the possibility of heat damage to the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dependable, low cost, low pressure accumulator characterized by the provision of a bladder support subassembly secured to an end cap member by an annular weld line, the connection between the noted components being effected prior to insertion of the assembly and end cap into a cylindrical pressure vessel component, whereby the opposed surfaces in registry with the weld are exposed to ambient temperatures, eliminating the danger of damage to the bladder in the course of welding. The bladder subassembly and end cap are thereafter inserted into and weldingly connected to a pressure vessel, the open mouth portion of which is inwardly deformed to overlie the end cap and retainer portion of the bladder subassembly, dependably to secure the components together and to effect the desired seals between adjacent components. The invention is further directed to the method of forming the described vessel.

Abstract: A low cost repairable accumulator device having an effective seal defined between an end cap carrying the gas charging valve assembly and the remaining components of the pressure vessel without the use of O-rings or like auxiliary sealing members. The bladder assembly incorporates integral protuberances which coact with portions of the pressure vessel and/or the end cap to achieve the desired seals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure pulse dampener device to be used in association with a liquid conduit, said device comprising a pressure vessel having a movable partition therein defining two chambers, each having a port in communication therewith, one of the ports defining a gas port for charging of one of said chambers with gas under pressure and the other, a liquid port, said liquid port having a hollow fitting rigidly secured thereto, said fitting having an inlet port and an outlet port, the fitting having means therein defining a tortuous path for oil under pressure from said inlet port to said outlet port, the liquid port being valve controlled and being in communication with the tortuous path, the device being characterized by incorporating therein in the fluid conduit downstream of the outlet port, a valve controlled outlet through which the liquid may flow, the effective cross sectional area of the outlet being varied automatically responsive to the pressure in the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener particularly adapted for use in damping pulses created by chemical injection pumps is disclosed, the dampener being characterized by a shell or pressure vessel construction formed of two parts, namely an upper part encompassing substantially three quarters or more of the total enclosed volume and a lower part encompassing one quarter or less of the total enclosed volume.