Hydraulic Bladder Accumulator

Fig. 3 Hydraulic Fluid Accumulator:

A hydraulic bladder accumulator is used to store brake fluid at high pressure. The pressurized fluid is used for ANTI-LOCK operation and for power assisted normal braking. The accumulator uses an elastomer bladder configuration with a nitrogen precharge of about 6,895 kPa (1,000 psi.) With no brake fluid in the system, the nitrogen gas pre-charge applies approximately 6,895 kPa (1,000 psi.) to one side of the diaphragm.

Under normal operation, the pump/motor assembly charges the accumulator to an operating pressure of between 11,032 and, 13,790 kPa (1600 psi to 2,000 psi.) As pressurized brake fluid enters the accumulator, pushing against the opposite side of the diaphragm, the nitrogen gas is compressed and increases in pressure.