Hydraulic hammer having co-axial accumulator and piston
A hydraulic hammer is disclosed having a piston and an accumulator membrane disposed external and co-axial to the piston. Additionally, a sleeve is disposed between the piston and accumulator membrane, wherein the sleeve has a plurality of radial passages formed therein that fluidly connect the accumulator membrane with the piston.
1. A method of operating a hydraulic hammer, comprising:
receiving pressurized fluid at an inlet;
directing the pressurized fluid axially into an accumulator membrane;
redirecting the pressurized fluid radially inward from the accumulator membrane toward a piston;
biasing the piston upward with the pressurized fluid;
selectively blocking and passing the pressurized fluid to a valve with movement of the piston;
directing the pressurized fluid axially away from a tip of the piston to the valve;
biasing the valve upward with the pressurized fluid;
selectively directing the pressurized fluid into a fluid chamber located axially adjacent to the valve;
biasing the piston downward, away from the valve, with the pressurized fluid in the fluid chamber;
wherein biasing the piston upward increases gas pressure within a gas chamber located axially adjacent to the fluid chamber; and
biasing the piston downward and away from the valve with the pressurized gas in the gas chamber.
2. The method of claim 1 , further including directing the pressurized fluid from the fluid chamber radially outward and through a plurality of outlet apertures located between a lip at one end of the accumulator membrane and the gas chamber.