A-33

Exercise 8

Hydraulics

Subject

Cold-store door

Title

To show the use of a hydraulic accumulator as a power source

To show how to use the accumulator to power advance and return

Training aim

strokes of the cylinder after the pump is switched off

Drawing the hydraulic circuit diagram

Determining the necessary components
Practical assembly of the circuit
Determining the number of working cycles possible after the pump is
switched off

Drawing conclusions
Explaining the design and mode of operation of a diaphragm accumulator

Naming possible applications of an accumulator

TP501 Festo Didactic

Problem definition

A-34
Exercise 8

Exercise

A heavy cold-store door is opened and closed by a hydraulic cylinder. A

hydraulic accumulator is to be installed to allow the door to be closed in
the case of an electrical power failure. This will permit the cold-store
door to be opened and closed a number of times. A 4/2-way valve is to
be used to activate the cylinder. This valve should be connected up in
such a way that the piston rod is advanced with the valve in its normal
position.
No provision will be made here for the safety cut-out which is essential
to prevent persons from becoming trapped in the door. This cut-out
function is normally provided by an electrical control device for the hydraulic system.

Be sure to follow the operating instructions for the accumulator. After

switching off the control system, do not dismantle the hydraulic components until you have relieved the pressure in the accumulator and isolated this from the control system by means of the built-in shut-off valve.
It is essential to relieve the accumulator pressure via a flow control
valve!
Positional sketch

TP501 Festo Didactic

A-35
Exercise 8

EXERCISE SHEET

Circuit diagram, hydraulic

TP501 Festo Didactic

A-36
Exercise 8

Evaluation

System pressure

Opening

Closing

20 bar
50 bar

Conclusion

What is the effect of fitting an accumulator to this circuit?

Explain the design and function of a diaphragm accumulator.

Name examples of applications of accumulators.

TP501 Festo Didactic

C-33
Solution 8

Cold-store door

Circuit diagram, hydraulic

TP501 Festo Didactic

C-34
Solution 8

Practical assembly,
hydraulic

System
pressure
p = 50 bar
(5 MPa)

Pump safety valve

pmax = 60 bar (6 MPa)

TP501 Festo Didactic

C-35
Solution 8

Item no.

Qty.

Description

Components list

0Z1

Hydraulic power pack

0Z2, 0Z3

Pressure gauge

0V1

Pressure relief valve

0V2

Non-return valve

0V3

One-way flow -return valve, adjustable

0Z4

Diaphragm accumulator

1V

4/2-way valve, manually operated

1A

double-acting Cylinder

Hose line

Branch tee

After the circuit has been assembled and checked, the accumulator
should first be switched off and the pressure relief valve 0V1 fully
opened. Now switch on the hydraulic power pack and set the system
pressure to 50 bar. The accumulator can now be charged. Allow the
cylinder to advance and retract several times and then switch off the
hydraulic power pack. It is possible to advance and retract the cylinder
several times more by actuating the 4/2-way valve 1A. Following this,
the accumulator pressure will fall slowly, as indicated by the pressure
gauge 0V3. Be sure to switch off and depressurise the accumulator before dismantling the circuit!

System pressure

Opening

Closing

20 bar

2x

1x

50 bar

4x

3x

TP501 Festo Didactic

Solution description

Evaluation

C-36
Solution 8

Conclusions

Without the accumulator fitted, the door will remain in its instantaneous
position after a power failure and it will no longer be possible to move it.
This diaphragm accumulator allows the door to be opened 2 x and
closed 1 x with a system pressure of 20 bar and opened 4 x and closed
3 x with a system pressure of 50 bar. The higher the hydraulic pressure
with which the accumulator is charged, the more times the door can be
opened and closed.

Design

In the case of a diaphragm accumulator, a diaphragm is clamped into

place in the pressure vessel to act as a divider between the hydraulic
fluid and the gas cushion (nitrogen). A gas valve is fitted at the top to
allow the accumulator to be pressurised with gas via a filling device. A
closure head is fitted to the diaphragm or a shut-off valve to the gas inlet
to prevent the diaphragm from creeping into the gas inlet as the gas is
discharged and becoming damaged. The accumulator used here has an
3
initial gas pressure rating of 10 bar and a nominal volume of 0.32 cm .
All accumulators must be fitted with a lead-sealed safety pressure relief
valve and a shut-off valve, as appropriate to their capacity.

Mode of operation

When hydraulic fluid is forced into the accumulator, this causes a corresponding reduction in the volume of the gas. At the same time, the
pressure in the gas cushion rises until the gas and hydraulic fluid are at
the same pressure. When the fluid pressure falls, the gas forces fluid
back into the hydraulic system. A non-return valve must be fitted upstream of the pump to prevent stored fluid from being discharged via the
pump when this is switched off. Comprehensive manufacturers tables
are available for use when sizing accumulators.In addition to diaphragm
and bladder accumulators, piston accumulators are also available if
large capacities are required.

Examples
of applications

Accumulators are used for the following:

Compensation for leakage losses

Energy reserve in emergencies
Compensation for peaks in flow rate demand
Cushioning of switching jolts

TP501 Festo Didactic