How does a diaphragm accumulator work to store and release energy?

The design of a diaphragm accumulator is ingenious in its internal separation mechanism - the rubber diaphragm. This diaphragm is not only highly elastic and can withstand large pressure changes without breaking, but also has good sealing properties to ensure complete isolation between the gas chamber and the liquid chamber. In addition, the robustness of the steel shell ensures the stability and durability of the accumulator under high pressure.
During the installation and commissioning phase, a certain amount of inert gas (such as nitrogen) will be filled into the gas chamber through a dedicated charging device according to the specific needs of the hydraulic system, and an initial pre-charge pressure will be set. This pre-charge pressure is crucial to the performance of the accumulator, which determines the amount of energy that the accumulator can store and release. During the operation of the hydraulic system, as the load changes, the pumped liquid flow and pressure will also fluctuate accordingly. When the system generates excess energy (such as when the pumping flow is greater than the actual demand), the liquid will be pushed to the accumulator, compressing the gas in the gas chamber to achieve energy storage. When the system needs additional energy support (such as a sudden increase in load), the compressed gas in the gas chamber will expand rapidly, pushing the diaphragm to release the stored liquid back into the hydraulic system to replenish energy. This fast response capability makes the diaphragm accumulator an important component for handling transient load changes in hydraulic systems.
In hydraulic systems, pressure pulsations and flow fluctuations often occur due to factors such as uneven rotation of the pump, rapid opening and closing of the valve, and friction resistance of the pipeline. These pulsations and fluctuations not only affect the stability and accuracy of the system, but may also cause damage to system components. The diaphragm accumulator can absorb and release these pulsating energies like a spring through the interaction between the gas chamber and the liquid chamber inside it. When the liquid pressure wave hits the diaphragm, the compressed gas in the gas chamber will act as a buffer, reducing the amplitude and propagation speed of the pressure wave; at the same time, the inertia of the liquid during the release process will also smooth the pressure fluctuations, thereby achieving the effect of shock absorption and pulsation attenuation. The diaphragm accumulator can also provide emergency energy support when the system suddenly loses power or the pump stops working, preventing the system from being damaged due to loss of pressure. In addition, by regularly checking and replacing wearing parts such as diaphragms, the long-term stable operation and high-efficiency performance of the accumulator can be ensured.
The diaphragm accumulator realizes multiple functions in the hydraulic system, such as effective energy storage and release, shock absorption and pulsation attenuation, and system protection, through its unique structural design and working principle. It is one of the indispensable and important components in modern hydraulic systems, and is of great significance to improving the stability, accuracy and reliability of the system.