Bladder Accumulators
A bladder accumulator is a hydropneumatic pressure vessel: inside the steel shell, an elastic bladder separates the nitrogen-precharged gas side from the oil side. When system pressure rises the accumulator takes in oil, and when it falls it gives the oil back. That is how you store energy, damp pulsations, absorb pressure surges or compensate for leakage losses. Four figures narrow the selection: nominal volume, permissible working pressure, port and the elastomer of the bladder, which has to suit the medium and the temperature. Typical nominal volumes range from about 4 to 50 litres with pressure ratings up to 350 bar. PTS supplies bladder accumulators from Parker Olaer, HYDAC and Bosch Rexroth from stock, plus mounting clamps, seal kits and replacement bladders, so an accumulator can be repaired instead of replaced outright.
Inspect the accumulator instead of replacing it?
Recurring ID-E accumulator inspection without removal, plus accumulator filling, by our own technicians.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the pre-charge pressure, and why does it matter?
Measure at the gas valve with a charging and testing unit, with the fluid side isolated and depressurised. The pre-charge sets how much volume a bladder accumulator actually takes up: too low and the usable stored volume drops; too high and the bladder hits the valve and wears out early. Check it after commissioning and at recurring intervals afterwards. PTS carries out testing and charging with its own technicians.
Can the bladder be replaced as a spare part?
On repairable designs, yes: the bladder is changed together with the seal kit and the shell stays in service. Replacement bladders and seal kits depend on size and manufacturer, so take the complete type designation from the accumulator nameplate. Sealed, non-repairable designs are exchanged as a unit.
What data do I need to select one?
Nominal volume, permissible working pressure, port and elastomer material. The volume follows the task: storing energy needs volume, while damping pulsations calls for a small accumulator close to the pump. Typical nominal volumes range from about 4 to 50 litres with pressure ratings up to 350 bar. Volume, port and permissible pressure are listed in each article technical data.
Diaphragm or bladder accumulator: which one when?
Diaphragm accumulators are compact and cover small volumes, but are usually not repairable. Bladder accumulators handle larger volumes and higher discharge rates and can be restored by replacing the bladder. For small damping duties the diaphragm type is enough; for energy storage and larger volumes, choose the bladder accumulator.
More ranges
Counterbalance Valves
During lowering the counterbalance valve does the braking work, so the lowering speed is set by the control system and not by the load. If that braking action is missing or the valve is wrongly sized, the load sags on start-up and the lowering motion turns jerky.
Heavy-Duty Cylinders
PTS supplies hydraulic heavy-duty cylinders from stock at 50 to 150 tonnes of nominal force, with strokes of 50 to 300 mm, single- and double-acting in a compact design. Forces and strokes outside that range are available as further versions on request.
Flange Spreaders
Flange spreaders act on a seized flange joint. It is opened for maintenance or assembly work. The gap has to open evenly, or the sealing face is damaged. How much spreading force is needed depends on the size of the flange and how tightly it is seized.
Hydraulic Torque Wrenches
Hydraulic torque wrenches come as a cassette wrench or with a square drive. Clearance at the bolted joint settles the choice. The flat cassette head reaches bolts too confined for a socket; the square drive covers several across-flats sizes with standard impact sockets. A drive unit and a matching reaction arm are part of the set either way.
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