Electro-Hydraulics and Mechanical Systems Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Accumulators are used to store hydraulic energy, smooth out pressure fluctuations, and keep system pressure stable. They do this by a gas-charged chamber (gas on one side of a flexible barrier or piston) that compresses or releases fluid as the system pressure changes. This setup allows them to supply fluid quickly during demand spikes, absorb pulsations from pumps, and cushion shocks that could damage components.

Fluid dispensing, or metering a precise amount of fluid to a process, isn’t a function of an accumulator. The discharge from an accumulator isn’t metered or controlled like a dedicated pump or metering valve; its role is to provide short-term energy and pressure support, not to deliver a regulated flow.