Metal bellows accumulators are used in a variety of industries to store the energy of a liquid or gas. Edge welded bellows technology is an ideal fit for this application, due to its media compatibility and stroke length capability. Edge welded bellows can also be manufactured in a variety of materials to match the application’s media compatibility requirements. With the right material, metal bellows can operate from cryogenic temperatures to 1500°F.
Hydraulically formed, or hydroformed, bellows can typically travel about twenty percent of their free length. Edge welded metal bellows have the ability to travel ninety percent; thus, edge welded bellows can accomplish the same movement in smaller sizes and lighter weight assemblies. Bellows accumulators can have pressure internal or external to the bellows assembly. Understanding the differential pressure between the inside and outside of the assembly also helps engineers to determine the proper size and length of the bellows accumulator.
BellowsTech has engineering design experience in a multitude of applications resulting in manufacturing a variety of accumulator sizes and shapes. With over eighty standard diaphragms to choose from, engineers have the ability to select the right size for the application. BellowsTech is also capable of manufacturing bellows up to 96” in length.
Guides and over-travel stops can be integrated into the design. In order to prevent “squirm,” guides ensure that the bellows assembly is moving in the intended direction. Over-travel stops can prevent bellows expansion from over-pressure conditions. Special housings can be designed to contain pressure as well as allow input and output pressure ports to customer design needs.
| Common Materials | AM350, 316L SS, Inconel®, Titanium, & Hastelloy® 276C |
| Thickness | 0.002″ and up every 0.001″ |
| Standard Leak Rate | <1×10-9 std CC He/sec** |
| Size Ranges | |
| Outside Diameter | 0.358″ (9.0932mm) to 22.205″ (564mm)* |
| Inside Diameter | 0.198″ (5.029mm) to 19.921″ (505.99mm)* |
| Shapes | Round standard. Non-Round Available; Contact Factory. |
| Length | Up to 96 inches (244 cm) |
*For other dimensional requirements, contact the factory
**Confirm leak rate with material selected.
