Fluid power systems must have a sufficient and continuous supply of uncontaminated fluid to operate efficiently. As stated in chapter 3 and emphasized throughout this manual, the fluid must be kept free of all foreign matter. This chapter covers hydraulic reservoirs, various types of strainers and filters, and accumulators installed in fluid power systems.

A hydraulic system must have a reserve of fluid in addition to that contained in the pumps, actuators, pipes, and other components of the system. This reserve fluid must be readily available to make up losses of fluid from the system, to make up for compression of the fluid under pressure, and to compensate for the loss of volume as the fluid cools. This extra fluid is contained in a tank usually called a reservoir. A reservoir may sometimes be referred to as a sump tank, service tank, operating tank, supply tank, or base tank.

In addition to providing storage for the reserve fluid needed for the system, the reservoir acts as a radiator for dissipating heat from the fluid and as a settling tank where heavy particles of contamination may settle out of the fluid and remain harmlessly on the bottom until removed by cleaning or flushing of the reservoir. Also, the reservoir allows entrained air to separate from the fluid.

Most reservoirs have a capped opening for filling, an air vent, an oil level indicator or dip stick, a return line connection, a pump inlet or suction line connection, a drain line connection, and a drain plug (fig. 9-1). The inside of the reservoir generally will have baffles to prevent excessive sloshing of the fluid and to put a partition between the fluid return line and the pump suction or inlet line. The partition forces the returning fluid to travel farther around the tank before being drawn back into the active

Figure 9-1.Nonpressurized reservoir (ground or ship installation).

system through the pump inlet line. This aids in settling the contamination and separating the air from the fluid.

Large reservoirs are desirable for cooling. A large reservoir also reduces recirculation which helps settle contamination and separate air. As a thumb rule," the ideal reservoir should be two to three times the pump output per minute. However, due to space limitations in mobile and aerospace systems, the benefits of a large reservoir may have to be sacrificed. But, they must be large enough to accommodate thermal expansion of the fluid and changes in fluid level due to system operation. Reservoirs are of two general types nonpressurized and pressurized.

Hydraulic systems designed to operate equipment at or near sea level are normally equipped with nonpressurized reservoirs. This includes the hydraulic systems of ground and ship installations. A typical reservoir for use with ground and ship installations is shown in figure 9-1. This type of reservoir is made of hot rolled steel plates and has welded seams. The ends extend below the bottom of the reservoir and serve as supports. The bottom of the reservoir is convex, and a drain plug is incorporated at the lowest point.

Nonpressurized reservoirs are also used in several transport-, patrol-, and utility-type aircraft. These aircraft are not designed for violent maneuvers and, in some cases, do not fly at high altitude. Those aircraft that have nonpressurized reservoirs installed and that fly at high altitudes have the reservoirs installed within a pressurized area. (High altitude in this situation means an altitude where atmospheric pressure is inadequate to maintain sufficient flow of fluid to the hydraulic pumps.)

Most nonpressurized aircraft reservoirs are constructed in a cylindrical shape (fig. 9-2). The outer housing is manufactured from a strong corrosion-resistant metal. Filter elements are normally installed internally within the reservoir to clean returning system hydraulic fluid. Some of the older aircraft have a filter bypass valve installed to allow fluid to bypass the filter if the filter becomes clogged. Reservoirs that are filled by pouring fluid directly into them have a filler (finger) strainer assembly installed in the filler well to strain out impurities as the fluid enters the reservoir.

The quantity of fluid in the reservoir is indicated by either a glass tube, a directing gauge, or a float-type rod, which is visible through a transparent dome installed on the reservoir.

A pressurized reservoir is required in hydraulic systems where atmospheric pressure is insufficient to maintain a net positive suction head (NPSH) to the pump. There are two common types of pressurized reservoirsfluid-pressurized and air-pressurized.

Some aircraft hydraulic systems use fluid pressure for pressurizing the reservoir. The reservoir shown in figure 9-3 is of this type. This reservoir is divided into two chambers by a floating piston. The piston is forced downward in the reservoir by a compression spring within the pressurizing cylinder and by system pressure entering the pressurizing port of the cylinder. The pressurizing port is connected directly to the pressure line. When the system is pressurized, pressure enters the pressure port, thus pressurizing the reservoir. This pressurizes the pump suction line and the reservoir return line to the same pressure.

The reservoir shown in figure 9-3 has five portspump suction, return, pressurizing, overboard drain, and bleed. Fluid is supplied to the pump through the pump suction port. Fluid returns to the reservoir from the system through the return port. Pressure from the pump enters the pressurizing cylinder in the top of the reservoir through the pressurizing port. The overboard drain port is used to drain the reservoir while performing maintenance, and the bleed port is used as an aid when servicing the reservoir.

Air-pressurized reservoirs, such as the one shown in figure 9-4, are currently used in many high-performance naval aircraft. The reservoir is cylindrical in shape and has a piston installed internally to separate the air and fluid chambers. Air pressure is usually provided by engine bleed air. The piston rod end protrudes through the reservoir end cap and indicates the fluid quantity. The quantity indication may be seen by inspecting the distance the piston rod protrudes from the reservoir end cap. The reservoir is provided with

threaded openings for connecting fittings and components. Figure 9-4 shows several components installed in lines leading to and from the reservoir; however, this may not be the case in actual installation. The air relief valve, bleeder valve, and soon, may reinstalled directly on the reservoir. Because the reservoir is pressurized, it can normally be installed at any altitude and still maintain a positive flow of fluid to the pump.

Some air-pressurized reservoirs also have direct contact of fluid to gas. These reservoirs are installed in large systems and may be cylindrical or rectangular in shape. They contain an oil level indicator, a pump inlet or suction line connection, a return line, a gas pressurization and venting connection, and a drain line connection or a drain plug. These reservoirs are pressurized by air from the ships service air system or nitrogen banks. These reservoirs are found on board aircraft carriers and submarines.