Patent ID: 6418970
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: E21B,F15B

Abstract:
A pressure accumulator apparatus comprising:a pressure vessel having a first compartment and a second compartment; a means for partitioning the pressure vessel into the first compartment and the second compartment; a means for admitting fluid at ambient pressure into a first portion of the first compartment of the pressure vessel; a means for controlling an amount of hydraulic fluid ejected from a first portion of the second compartment of the pressure vessel; a means for admitting pressurized gas into a second portion of the second compartment of the pressure vessel; a first piston member circumscribed by an interior wall of the first compartment of the pressure vessel, said first piston member being capable of sliding within the first compartment of the pressure vessel; a second piston member circumscribed by an interior wall of the second compartment of the pressure vessel, said second piston member being capable of sliding within the second compartment of the pressure vessel; and a means for connecting the first piston member and the second piston member in tension; wherein the pressure vessel is configured so that a second portion of the first compartment of the pressure vessel can contain a lower than ambient pressure.