A hydraulic accumulator originally developed for the automotive industry is opening up new possibilities for agricultural machinery operating under extreme conditions. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has successfully transferred proven passenger car technology to a demanding new application.
Credit: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
What began as a solution for passenger car transmissions is now demonstrating its strengths in agricultural equipment. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has adapted an in‑house piston accumulator for use in agricultural machinery, laying the groundwork for a durable and sustainable new application.
The initiative was driven by the needs of a well‑known international manufacturer of agricultural machinery that was facing increasing quality and service‑life challenges with the diaphragm accumulators previously in use. Machines such as sugar cane harvesters, in particular, place extreme demands on hydraulic systems. High ambient temperatures, very high humidity, and continuous operation over long periods put significant strain on components. In addition, the accumulators are deeply integrated into the transmission and can only be accessed with considerable maintenance effort - making reliability and long service life essential.
Recognizing strong parallels with automotive applications, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies took a fresh perspective. Instead of continuing with a diaphragm accumulator, the company proposed a piston accumulator - a technology that has proven itself millions of times over in passenger car transmissions. Freudenberg’s piston accumulators feature a robust design, and high resistance to temperature and pressure fluctuations.
The pressure accumulators, manufactured at Freudenberg’s plant in Remagen, Germany, were initially tested as replacement solutions. With a volume of 0.75 liters and a compact design, they were ideally suited for direct installation on the transmission. During the initial phase, an adapter developed by the customer was still required. Today, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies supplies several piston accumulator variants that no longer require an adapter.
Extensive comparative testing confirmed the advantages of the new solution. The piston accumulator achieved a service life three to four times longer than that of the diaphragm accumulator previously used. Another key benefit was the short development time. By drawing on proven passenger car technology and adapting it to the new requirements, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies was able to provide test samples to the customer in a very short timeframe. The piston accumulator is now supplied in series production.
This successful technology transfer highlights the potential of applying established automotive solutions to other industries. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is currently examining how the concept can be extended to additional customers, machine types, and transmission applications - contributing to greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in the mobile machinery sector.