Abstract: The present invention is directed to an accumulator device and more particularly to an accumulator device having a spherical reservoir chamber which is preferably formed by hydraulic distension of a shell. A casing, bladder, and mounting fixture are combined with the shell by a metal forming operation to thus provide an efficient accumulator with a minimum of forming operations.

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 incorporating an improved plug retaining assembly for supporting the plug and associated valve asssembly in the oil port of an accumulator device. More particularly, there is provided in accordance with the invention a split locking ring assembly adapted to be deformed in such manner that the same may be readily convoluted about the shoulder portion of a plug assembly, enabling the use of an improved oil port sealing arrangement.

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: 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 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low cost accumulator device, and more particularly to an accumulator wherein, at least in the oil port adjacent portions, the pressure vessel is formed by a spinning operation effected on a tubular blank. The device is characterized by a buffer member disposed adjacent the oil port and positioned to be deflected by the bladder in such manner as to protect the bladder from extrusion through the irregularities inherently formed as a result of the spinning operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure accumulator of the type which includes a rigid container or casing having substantially axially aligned ports in the ends thereof, and having a deformable open mouth bladder therein dividing the casing into a liquid chamber and a gas chamber in communication respectively with said ports, the port in communication with the gas chamber having a rigid fitting associated therewith, with a gas charging passageway extending therethrough and leading into the gas chamber, deformable closure member being associated with said fitting, automatically to seal the end of the passageway leading into the gas chamber upon discharge of gas from said gas chamber, to preclude extrusion of said bladder into said end of the passageway in said rigid fitting with consequent failure of the accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulsation dampener device comprising a pressure vessel having a flow through conduit secured thereto adjacent the oil port, the device being characterized by a sleeve member shiftable axially of the pressure vessel, the sleeve having a bladder secured thereto and providing a guide controlling the movements of the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure accumulator device and pertains more particularly to a pressure accumulator of the type incorporating a resilient, deformable bladder disposed within a rigid shell. The device is characterized by the incorporation therein of a sensor device adapted to provide early indication and/or automatic reaction to bladder failure.

Abstract: A method of forming a pressure accumulator is disclosed which comprises the steps of advancing a cylindrical resilient metallic sleeve carrying a separator or bladder through the open mouth of a shell forming a part of the casing of the accumulator, the shell including on an inner wall surface thereof an annular groove defining an inwardly directed sharpened lip in the casing wall. The sleeve is positioned such that the outer circumference thereof, adjacent its upper end, is disposed in abutting relation to the said lip. An electrode is placed against the upper end of the sleeve opposite the lip at a position remote from the deformable bladder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic accumulator-pulse dampener of the bladder type and is characterized by the provision of an improved seal assembly interposed between the oil port of the pressure vessel and the oil conduit connector fixture, said seal arrangement providing an annular, effective, and readily assembled seal between the fixture and the pressure vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydraulic accumulator-pulsation dampener device characterized by the valve component acting in a noiseless manner upon seating and unseating thereof, and further characterized by the valve member being readily replaceable.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved locking ring for supporting the closure plug of a pressure vessel of the type used to store fluid under pressure, and particularly of the type having a deformable partition, such as a bladder. The locking ring is comprised of two relatively foldable segments, the segments being held together by an annular elastomeric component, the device being characterized by the elastomer being molded in situ in an annular groove in the segments, which groove incorporates a non-reentrant mouth portion, whereby the elastomeric component is united to the segments without the necessity for bonding, etc. The invention is further directed to a method of forming the above described locking ring.