​Piston Accumulators are a cost effective option for numerous functions involving energy storage, and sometimes shock absorption in a hydraulic or fluid system. They are well suited for applications needing: High Pressure Ratios Large Volumes of Oil High Fluid flow rates Volumes monitoring by way of piston position sensor or switch systems ​Advantages of Using the Low-friction Sealing System (type 2): Minimum friction Suitable for low pressure differentials No start-up friction, no stick-slip Low noise, no vibration High piston speeds up to 12 ftsec continuous Improved accumulator efficiency High life expectancy, low maintance requirements Construction HYDAC piston accumulators consist of: A cylinder with a finely finished internal surface An end cap on the gas side and fluid side, sealed with 0-rings A lightweight metal piston A variety of sealing systems are available depending on the application Sealing Systems Precise information about the proposed operating conditions is required in order to select the most appropriate sealing system. Important criteria for this selection are: Number of actuations or cycles Piston speed Temperature fluctuation Operating fluid Cleaniness of fluid Maintenance requirements Seal Materials The following sealing elastomers are available, depending on the operating conditions: NBR (acrylic nitrile butadiene rubber) FPM (fluoro-elastomer) PUR (polyurethane) Suitable materials are also available for low temperature applications. Fluids The following sealing materials are suitable for the fluids listed below: NBR, resistant to: Mineral Oils (HL and HLP) Non-flammable fluids from groups HFA, HFB, and HFC Water and seawater up to approx. 100°C NBR, not resistant to Aromatic hydrocarbons Chlorinated hydrocarbons Amines and ketones Hydraulic fluids from the HFD Groups FPM, resistant to: Mineral Oils (HL and HLP) Hydraulic fluids from the HFD Groups Fuels as well as aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons Inorganic acids (but not all, please contact HYDAC) System Mounting HYDAC piston accumulators may operate in any position. Vertical installation is preferable with the gas side up. We recommend the use of our mounting components, which are detailed on page 84, to minimize risk of failure due to system vibrations. Effects of Seal Friction The permissible piston velocity depends on the sealing friction. Higher piston velocities are possible where there is less sealing friction. HYDAC piston accumulators with low friction piston seals allow continuous operating velocities of up to 12 ftsec with short bursts, up to 15 ftsec (see type 2 piston). Small pressure differentials between gas and oil side improve the effectiveness of HYDAC piston accumulators. To emphasize the friction effect on the pressure curve during an accumulation cycle, measurements with various sealing systems are illustrated. The measurements graphs below are a true representation of the gas and oil pressure of piston accumulators with different sealing systems. The comparison of these two measurements clearly shows the difference int he pressure differential between gas and oil side: Graph 1: Δp max. ~ 125 psi Graph 2: Δp max. ~ 14.5 psi The effect of the sealing friction on the working pressure is particularly striking in traditional piston designs. Abrupt piston movements (the stick-slip effect) are caused by the seal friction as shown in Graph 1. the low sealing friction of HYDAC type 2 pistons drastically reduces the stick-slip effect therefore maximizing piston responsiveness.