Antenna assembly for piston accumulators
A replaceable antenna assembly for use with a piston accumulator configured for supplying fluid to a hydraulic cylinder is provided. The antenna assembly includes a hollow manifold for flow of fluid and an antenna connected into or onto the manifold for emitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. The hollow manifold is connectable to and configured to be in fluid communication with both the piston accumulator at one end and a pressure line at the other end. The pressure line is connectable to an external high pressure gas bank. The antenna assembly further includes at least one first bore for transferring signals to and from the antenna and at least two fluid channels symmetrically displaced around the circumference of the antenna, thereby ensuring that most of, or all, fluid flows on the radial outside of the antenna during use.
1. A replaceable antenna assembly for use with a piston accumulator configured for supplying fluid to a hydraulic cylinder, the piston accumulator comprising an end cover, the antenna assembly comprises:
a hollow manifold for flow of fluid; and
an antenna connected axially into or onto the manifold for emitting and receiving electromagnetic waves,
wherein the hollow manifold is connectable to the end cover and configured to be in fluid communication with both the piston accumulator at one end and a pressure line at the other end, said pressure line being connectable to an external high pressure gas bank, and wherein the hollow manifold further comprises:
at least one first bore for transferring signals to and from the antenna; and
a fluid conduit comprising a common, axial fluid inlet diverging into a plurality of fluid channels symmetrically displaced around the circumference of the antenna, thereby ensuring that most of, or all, fluid flows on the radial outside of the antenna during use, and
wherein the manifold and antenna can be removed out of and put into the end cover.
2. The Antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the geometrical shape of the at least two fluid channels ensures essentially laminar flow throughput between the manifold and the interior of the piston accumulator.
3. The Antenna assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one first bore comprises a first bore orifice in the end closest to the outer circumference of the manifold for providing a fluid-tight connection around the transmittal line.
4. The Antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein at least one transmittal line is arranged in at least one of the at least one first bore for the transfer of signals.
5. The Antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an outer circumference of the manifold is exposed to the surroundings.
6. The Antenna assembly according to claim 1 , wherein there is arranged seals to ensure fluid-tight sealing in the connections between the manifold and the external high pressure line and between the manifold and the piston accumulator, respectively.
7. An accumulator end assembly comprising:
the antenna assembly according to claim 1 ; and
an end cover of a piston accumulator, which end cover comprises at least one gas channel.
8. The accumulator end assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the inner surface of the at least one gas channel in the end cover is smooth.