Accumulators and diaphragms

Function

Diaphragms can be rubber and polyurethane. They are in the battery. The battery is located on the hammer head, side or top. Some hammers (usually small and some medium) do not have a battery while large ones usually have one. Some hammers have two accumulators, high-pressure and low-pressure - usually the high-pressure is smaller and located laterally and the low-pressure is larger and located at the top.

As hydraulic hammers operate at pressures of 100-200 bar with an impact frequency of up to several thousand times per minute, a large number of pressure changes occur in the hydraulic system itself, which would result in large jerks of the pressure lines (hydraulic shocks). These pressure oscillations are absorbed by the membrane in the accumulator.

Maintenance

The accumulator is a closed system and inspection of the membrane is not possible without opening. However, if the operator notices vibration of the pressure line on the excavator and a reduced hammer effect, it is often a sign of a ruptured membrane. As the accumulators are filled with nitrogen at a pressure of 40-60 bar, the membrane is replaced exclusively by an authorized service center. A visual inspection of the accumulator can inspect the condition of the anchor bolts that secure the accumulator to the hammer head and replace them in time. Working with broken anchor bolts can damage the accumulator base.