Accumulator

Abstract

An accumulator is connected to a source of hydraulic fluid, comprising a movable barrier which separates the hydraulic fluid from a compartment containing two distinct energy absorbing medium—a first energy absorbing medium and a second energy absorbing medium. The movable barrier, when acted upon by an increase in pressure of the hydraulic fluid, will move in a first direction to initially contact and begin compressing the first energy absorbing medium. When the movable barrier moves further in said first direction it will contact the second energy absorbing medium and will begin compressing the second energy absorbing medium while still compressing the first energy absorbing medium.

1 . An accumulator that is connected to a source of hydraulic fluid, comprising a movable barrier which separates the hydraulic fluid from a compartment containing two distinct energy absorbing medium that are a first energy absorbing medium and a second energy absorbing media, wherein said movable barrier, when acted upon by an increase in pressure of the hydraulic fluid, will move in a first direction whereupon it will initially contact the first energy absorbing medium to thereby begin compressing said first energy absorbing medium and, when it moves further in said first direction, will contact the second energy absorbing medium to thereby begin compressing said second energy absorbing medium while still compressing said first energy absorbing medium.  
   
   
       2 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , wherein the movable barrier is a piston.  
   
   
       3 . The accumulator of  claim 1 , wherein the first energy absorbing medium is nitrogen gas and the second energy absorbing medium is a spring.