The accumulator of the cleaning machine is an important component in the hydraulic system of the cleaning machine. The following is a detailed introduction to it:
Functions
- Stabilizing Pressure: During the operation of the cleaning machine, when the pressure in the hydraulic system fluctuates, the accumulator can absorb or release pressure to keep the system pressure relatively stable, thus ensuring the normal operation of the cleaning machine. For example, in a high-pressure cleaning machine, when the spray gun is opened or closed instantaneously, the system pressure will change drastically. The accumulator can effectively buffer this pressure impact and prevent the system from being damaged due to excessive pressure.
- Supplying Energy: As an auxiliary power source, when the oil supply of the hydraulic pump of the cleaning machine is insufficient or cannot supply oil in a timely manner, the accumulator can release the stored energy and provide additional hydraulic oil for the system to meet the demand for a large flow rate of the cleaning machine in an instant. For instance, in some large-scale cleaning equipment, when multiple cleaning nozzles need to be driven simultaneously, the accumulator can ensure that each nozzle can obtain sufficient pressure and flow rate to guarantee the cleaning effect.
- Absorbing Pulsation: If the cleaning machine adopts a plunger pump or other hydraulic pumps with pulsating flow, the accumulator can absorb the pulsation of flow and pressure, reduce the vibration and noise of the system, improve the working stability and comfort of the cleaning machine, and extend the service life of the equipment.
Working Principle
The accumulator mainly works based on the compressibility of gas and the incompressibility of liquid. There is usually an airtight capsule, piston or spring and other elements inside it, which divides the container into two parts. One part is filled with compressed gas, and the other part is filled with hydraulic oil. When the pressure of the cleaning machine system rises, the hydraulic oil will enter the accumulator and compress the gas space, thus storing energy. When the system pressure drops, the compressed gas will expand and push the hydraulic oil back into the system to release the stored energy and maintain the stability of the system pressure.
Types
- Bladder-type Accumulator: It is composed of a pressure-resistant shell, an elastic bladder, an inflation valve and so on. It has the advantages of large volume, high responsiveness, being not easy to leak, and good oil-gas separation. It is suitable for various occasions such as absorbing pulsation and serving as an auxiliary power source. However, the service life of the bladder is limited, and there are certain requirements for installation and use conditions. For example, the bladder cannot be made too large, and there are certain limitations on the working pressure.
- Piston-type Accumulator: It uses a floating free piston to separate the gas phase and the liquid phase. It has a simple structure and a long service life. It can withstand large pressure fluctuation ranges and high pressures, and can be made very large. However, due to the large inertia of the piston, its responsiveness is poor, and it is generally not suitable for occasions with high requirements for response speed.
- Diaphragm-type Accumulator: It is similar to the bladder-type accumulator, but uses a diaphragm instead of a bladder to isolate gas and liquid. Its advantages are good sealing performance, small size, light weight and fast response speed. It is suitable for some small cleaning machines or occasions with high requirements for space.
Installation and Maintenance Points
- Installation Location: It should be installed as close as possible to the impact sources such as control valves or hydraulic cylinders in the hydraulic system of the cleaning machine so as to better absorb and buffer the hydraulic impact. At the same time, it should be convenient for inspection and maintenance, and kept away from heat sources to avoid abnormal pressure increase caused by the expansion of gas due to heat.
- Installation Direction: Bladder-type and diaphragm-type accumulators are generally installed vertically, and the gas valve should be upward to ensure the normal operation of the bladder or diaphragm. There is no strict installation direction requirement for piston-type accumulators, but it is usually also recommended to install them vertically.
- Inflation Pressure: Correctly selecting the pre-inflation pressure is the key to the normal operation and the extension of the service life of the accumulator. The selection methods of the inflation pressure of accumulators of different types and in different application occasions are different. For example, when it is used to absorb system pulsation, the inflation pressure is generally 60% of the average value of the working pressure; when it is used to absorb system pressure impact, the inflation pressure should not be less than the normal working pressure; when it is used as an auxiliary power source, the inflation pressure is generally selected within 80% – 90% of the lowest working pressure and should exceed the highest working pressure by 25%.
- Regular Inspection: It includes checking whether the inflation pressure of the accumulator is normal, whether there is leakage, whether there is rust on the surface, as well as the rusting situation inside and the peeling state of the surface treatment layer. If any problems are found, they should be dealt with or the accumulator should be replaced in a timely manner to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the system.