Steelhead Composites, LLC

Jacob Schrader

Kaushik Mallick

Andrew Coors

John Cronin

Michael W Stewart

Annalisa Padget-Shields

The present invention provides lightweight high-pressure accumulators that avoids diaphragm failure observed in conventional diaphragm accumulators. Lightweight high-pressure composite overwrapped accumulators of the invention are made from a plurality of hollow casings that are mated to form an accumulator housing. The accumulator housing is overwrapped with a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength and structural integrity. More significantly, the accumulators of the invention includes a plurality of annular grooves and a plurality of bulb on the flexible diaphragm such that the plurality of bulbs on the flexible diaphragm are placed in the plurality of annular grooves that are formed between the first and the second hollow casing. In this manner, diaphragm failure is significantly reduced or even completely eliminated during repeated high pressure charge/discharge cycle of the accumulator.

Lightweight composite overwrapped accumulators

The present invention provides a lightweight high pressure vessels that are made from a liner or a liner housing that is overwrapped with a composite material. Unlike conventional high pressure vessels, the lightweight high pressure vessel of the invention includes a liner that comprises a plurality of liner sections without using welding or crimping. In particular, the lightweight high pressure vessels of the invention include a plurality of elements that are combined to form a liner housing and a composite overwrap that provides structural and mechanical strength to maintain integrity of the high pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the high pressure vessel of the invention is a diaphragm accumulator.

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Westminster, CO, United States of America

Jacob Schrader