What is the primary purpose of a pneumatic accumulator?

The primary purpose of a pneumatic accumulator is to store compressed air for additional energy during peak demands. Accumulators function as reservoirs that can provide a burst of air when there is an increase in demand for compressed air, typically during startup or when multiple tools or processes require air simultaneously. This helps maintain system stability and efficiency by ensuring that there is enough air pressure available to meet sudden demands without dropping the overall system pressure.

By storing compressed air, accumulators also help to buffer the system and reduce the wear on compressors, which can lead to less energy consumption and extended equipment life. They operate effectively by releasing the stored air quickly when needed, making them crucial for applications that experience variable air pressure requirements. This function of providing supplemental energy makes them vital in a variety of pneumatic systems.