What's inside of the 360 F1's pressure accumulator?

What are Accumulators and How Do They Work
A hydraulic accumulator (or hydro-pneumatic accumulator) is a pressure vessel that performs many tasks in a hydraulic system. They are used to maintain pressure, store and recapture energy, reduce pressure peaks, and dampen shock, vibration and pulsations.

Under gas pressure, accumulators store a volume of fluid that can be re-fed into the hydraulic system when it is needed. An elastomer bladder separates the hydraulic fluid from gas within a pressure shell. With a rise in pressure within the hydraulic system, the hydraulic accumulator collects the pressure fluid. The result: The gas is compressed. If the pressure falls, the compressed gas expands again and forces the stored fluid into the hydraulic circuit.

 

The big ball of the accumulator has a diaphragm, air on one side that can be compressed to maintain pressure on the fluid side. When the door is opened, the pump starts and build pressure, filling the accumulator at this time. When the system is being used, the accumulator allows activation without the pump running constantly. When the pressure is low enough, the pump refills the accumulator. If the air side of the accumulator looses pressure, (it is sealed and is not rechargeable) then the pump runs all the time trying to keep up, usually killing the pump. If you are driving and shift several times quickly and the light comes on briefly and the pump is running a little more than usual, good chance the accumulator is starting to loose its charge pressure.

 

Thank you for not saying "when you open the door you prime the pump". That stupid statement drives me nuts & is said ALL THE TIME here.

You answer is spot on. You obviously understand mechanics & are technically inclined. Thank you.

 

Thank you for the kind words.

You answer is spot on. You obviously understand mechanics & are technically inclined. Thank you.[/QUOTE]