A system for storing and releasing hydraulic energy having a controller, a pressure source, a bidirectional valve fluidly connected to the pressure source, an expandable vessel fluidly connected to the bidirectional valve having a plurality of axial folds between first and second ends, and a bidirectional port connected to the pressure source. As the plurality of axial folds expand, a contracted volume of pressure expands increasing stored hydraulic fluid energy in the expandable vessel. As the plurality of axial folds contract, the expanded volume reduces, releasing stored hydraulic fluid energy to nearby subsea equipment on demand as changes in hydraulic fluid energy requirements for the subsea equipment changes. Simultaneously, hydrostatic seawater pressure of seawater on the expandable vessel is counteracted with the hydrostatic pressure of fluid inside the expandable vessel.

An integrated hybrid energy recovery and storage system for recovering and storing energy from multiple energy sources is disclosed. The system includes an accumulator unit having a high pressure accumulator and a low pressure accumulator. At least one piston is mounted for reciprocation in the high pressure accumulator. The accumulator unit is configured to receive, store, and transfer energy from the hydraulic fluid to the energy storage media. The system further includes two or more rotational directional control valves, in which at least one rotational directional control valve is positioned on each side of the accumulator unit. Each rotational directional control valve includes multiple ports. The system also includes two or more variable displacement hydraulic rotational units. At least one variable displacement hydraulic rotational unit is positioned adjacent each of the rotational directional control valves.

An energy storage system is provided. The system comprises an energy storage device comprising: a pressure vessel configured to store pressurised fluid; and one or more resilient elements, wherein the resilient elements comprise a plurality of filaments of resilient material braided to form the resilient elements, wherein the resilient elements are arranged within or about the pressure vessel, and wherein the energy storage device is configured such that storing pressurised fluid within the pressure vessel acts to tension or compress the resilient elements.

An integrated hybrid energy recovery and storage system for recovering and storing energy from multiple energy sources is disclosed. The system includes an accumulator unit having a high pressure accumulator and a low pressure accumulator. At least one piston is mounted for reciprocation in the high pressure accumulator. The accumulator unit is configured to receive, store, and transfer energy from the hydraulic fluid to the energy storage media. The system further includes two or more rotational directional control valves, in which at least one rotational directional control valve is positioned on each side of the accumulator unit. Each rotational directional control valve includes multiple ports. The system also includes two or more variable displacement hydraulic rotational units. At least one variable displacement hydraulic rotational unit is positioned adjacent each of the rotational directional control valves.

An energy storage system is provided. The system comprises an energy storage device comprising: a pressure vessel configured to store pressurised fluid; and one or more resilient elements, wherein the resilient elements comprise a plurality of filaments of resilient material braided to form the resilient elements, wherein the resilient elements are arranged within or about the pressure vessel, and wherein the energy storage device is configured such that storing pressurised fluid within the pressure vessel acts to tension or compress the resilient elements.

A pneumatic accumulator may be fluidly coupled between a negative-pressure source and a dressing of a therapy system. The pneumatic accumulator may have a small volume and one or more deformable members that can deform under negative pressure, reducing the volume of the pneumatic accumulator. The pneumatic accumulator can smooth a pressure wave created by the negative-pressure source. The pneumatic accumulator may also provide additional negative-pressure storage capacity to the therapy system. For example, if a leak develops at the dressing, some of the negative pressure stored in the pneumatic actuator may be supplied to the dressing. The pneumatic accumulator may allow for reduced runtime of the negative-pressure source, leading to increased electrical efficiency.

A self-contained expandable automatic pressure compensated accumulator system for storing and releasing hydraulic fluid energy for use by subsea equipment having a controller, a pressure source, a bidirectional valve fluidly connected to the pressure source, an expandable multisided vessel fluidly connected to the bidirectional valve having a plurality of axial folds between first and second ends, and a bidirectional port connected to the pressure source. As the plurality of axial folds expand, a contracted volume of pressure expands increasing stored hydraulic fluid energy in the expandable multisided vessel. As the plurality of axial folds contract, the expanded volume reduces, releasing stored hydraulic fluid energy to nearby subsea equipment on demand as changes in hydraulic fluid energy requirements for the subsea equipment changes. Simultaneously, hydrostatic seawater pressure of seawater on the expandable multisided vessel is counteracted with the hydrostatic pressure of fluid inside the expandable multisided vessel.

A resilient expandable pressure vessel configured to function like a spring. The resilient expandable pressure vessel includes a body portion, a cavity defined within the body portion, and at least one port in communication with the cavity defined in the body portion. The at least one port is configured to receive a fluid into the cavity and discharge the fluid from the cavity. The resilient expandable pressure vessel has a predetermined expansibility across a range of operating pressures of the fluid in the cavity. The range is at least 200 psi.

A self-contained expandable automatic pressure compensated accumulator system for storing and releasing hydraulic fluid energy for use by subsea equipment having a controller, a pressure source, a bidirectional valve fluidly connected to the pressure source, an expandable multisided vessel fluidly connected to the bidirectional valve having a plurality of axial folds between first and second ends, and a bidirectional port connected to the pressure source. As the plurality of axial folds expand, a contracted volume of pressure expands increasing stored hydraulic fluid energy in the expandable multisided vessel. As the plurality of axial folds contract, the expanded volume reduces, releasing stored hydraulic fluid energy to nearby subsea equipment on demand as changes in hydraulic fluid energy requirements for the subsea equipment changes. Simultaneously, hydrostatic seawater pressure of seawater on the expandable multisided vessel is counteracted with the hydrostatic pressure of fluid inside the expandable multisided vessel.

A resilient expandable pressure vessel configured to function like a spring. The resilient expandable pressure vessel includes a body portion, a cavity defined within the body portion, and at least one port in communication with the cavity defined in the body portion. The at least one port is configured to receive a fluid into the cavity and discharge the fluid from the cavity. The resilient expandable pressure vessel has a predetermined expansibility across a range of operating pressures of the fluid in the cavity. The range is at least 200 psi.