ASA Bladder-type accumulators consist of a seamless cylindrical pressure vessel made of high-tensile steel.
The accumulator is subdivided into a gas and fluid side by an elastic bladder mounted in the interior of the vessel.
The bladder is charged with nitrogen to the specified gas charge pressure P0 by means of gas valve.
When the fluid is pressed into the accumulator, the gas in the bladder is compressed and hence the pressure increased. The gas volume reduces and on the fluid side, the fluid can flow into the accumulator. As soon as the pressure on the fluid side falls below the gas pressure, the accumulator is emptied.
Oil valve is provided in the oil port of the bladder-type accumulator and closes when the pressure on the gas side is higher than the one on the fluid side. This prevents draining of the bladder into the oil channel and thus the bladder from being destroyed.
When the minimum operating pressure is reached, a small oil volume is to be maintained between the bladder and the fluid volume (approx. 10% of the nominal capacity of the hydraulic accumulator), in order that the bladder does not hit the valve during every expansion process.
Gas valve consists of external caps, sealing cap, filling valve, gas valve body and rubber coated washer. These parts can be replaced separately.