I had the opportunity to sit-in on Jim Tobul’s accumulator session at the Fluid Power Conference and Expo last week in Milwaukee and wished that he would offer a part two. The amount of useful/cost saving information was a real eye opener to how accumulators when properly designed into a system can enhance the efficiencies of a system while saving energy/dollar outlay.
If you are looking for a way to make your system more green this is a rewarding avenue to look into. You can see excerpts from the event at http://www.fluidpowerexpo.com/session-details.asp?id=75
Can this type of technology apply to systems you are involved in?

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Can this type of technology apply to systems you are involved in?

I sell hydraulic motion controllers proper accumulator sizing is key to the success of hydraulic servo system design

http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/GlobalSearch/Ar...e/False/43954/unsung

Accumulator are analogous to capacitors in electronic systems. Electronic(hydraulic) systems must keep the voltage(pressure) supply
as constant as possible for fine analog(servo) control.

Peter, you offer an interesting perspective in the design of a system (from the electronics end)...

...do you have a "preference" between bladder-type or piston-type ones?

Or is your choice based on the system your building and it's application?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tlazar,

I have sat in on Jim Tobul's Accumulator Sessions and it helps that Jim is both passionate about the technology and extremely knowledgeable about the subject. His session typifies the benefits to attendees of the Fluid Power Conference & Expo.

We have several other passionate fluid power experts doing seminar sessions at our Expos and we are always looking for more.

Here is a link to a brief video interview (the bottom one) that was conducted after Jim's presentation: http://www.fluidpowerexpo.com/session-details.asp?id=75

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...do you have a "preference" between bladder-type or piston-type ones?

I have no preference. Getting flow out of the accumulator is key. I was with some Parker guys and they said they can get higher flows with piston type accumulators. To get around the flow problem I have suggested using more accumulators in parallel. Another key point is accumulator placement. The accumulators should be placed where the energy is used. That is out at the machine by the valves, not at the HPU.