Piston accumulator bladder apparatus system and method
View Patent ↗The present invention is a new and improved bladder for use with a piston accumulator apparatus, system and method of using same that provides a dispersion tube in the bladder to allow fluid to be communicated under a vacuum from the bladder to the accumulator seawater chamber and back again.
1. A subsea piston accumulator and bladder system comprising:
a subsea piston accumulator having a seawater port for selectively communicating hydraulic fluid into and out of said subsea piston accumulator;
a conduit having a first end connected to said seawater port and a second end;
a bladder having an interior and a bladder aperture connected to said second end of said conduit for communicating said hydraulic fluid into and out said interior of said bladder;
a liner disposed in said interior of said bladder, said liner having an interior adapted to hold said hydraulic fluid and wherein said liner has a liner aperture for communicating said hydraulic fluid into and out of said interior of said liner; and
a dispersion tube disposed in said liner, said dispersion tube having a first end with a first end aperture for communicating said hydraulic fluid into and out of said dispersion tube, a length, a second end, and a plurality of dispersion tube apertures on said length adapted to communicate said hydraulic fluid into and out of said dispersion tube and into and out of said interior of said liner.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said second end of said dispersion tube is removably attached to said interior of said bladder via a cradle mounted to said interior of said bladder.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said cradle includes a foot adapted to allow said second end of said dispersion tube to slide into said foot.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said first end of said dispersion tube is fixed to said interior of said bladder.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein said second end of said dispersion tube is rounded.