Piston-type high-pressure hydraulic control system for the intake gate of a hydropower station


Hydroelectric generating units harness the potential energy of flowing water in a hydromechanical system, characterized by constantly varying flow velocity and discharge, with energy distribution that is far from uniform. Water flow is regulated—both cut off and supplied—via an inlet valve system. Such systems typically employ ball‑valve or butterfly‑valve arrangements actuated by servo‑actuators powered by hydraulic control. These control schemes demand high reliability and must meet stringent emergency‑shut‑down requirements under fault conditions. To enhance operational performance, enable long‑term maintenance‑free operation, and promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability—while also improving on‑site noise levels and cleanliness—modern hydroelectric plants increasingly adopt advanced Westinghouse high‑pressure piston‑type hydraulic control systems equipped with energy monitoring. Particularly in applications with large vertical head differences, high‑oil‑pressure hydraulic systems ensure reliable emergency closure of valve equipment under abnormal conditions and support redundant design for opening and closing operations. In accordance with the relevant provisions of IEC 61362, where no gravity‑assisted shut‑off is employed, the volume of the high‑pressure accumulator is generally sized to accommodate three full‑stroke volumes for opening and closing, or to provide sufficient energy for two complete opening/closing cycles. Piston‑type accumulators with energy monitoring not only enable continuous oversight of stored gas energy but also effectively mitigate the risk associated with bladder accumulators—namely, pressure‑gas leakage into the servo‑actuator due to bladder rupture, which can cause actuator rollback or creep and pose significant safety hazards during operation. Moreover, by incorporating multi‑stroke accumulator volumes, such systems both satisfy emergency‑cut‑off requirements and facilitate black‑start capability following plant restarts.

Recommended News


The manufacturing and testing of the ultra‑high‑flow anti‑backflow valve have been successfully completed.

SCHWERLL has successfully completed the manufacturing of CNOOC’s super‑flow anti‑recoil valves and the associated super‑flow testing. The products have passed all performance verification tests and flow‑rate assessments, and have obtained certification from CCS, the classification society. Anti-Recoil Valve (AVR), also referred to in the industry as an anti‑backflow valve.


SCHWERLL has successfully developed and built a mini-sized, lightweight, mobile nitrogen booster unit.

To meet the demands of operating conditions in vehicles, marine vessels, aerospace, and mobile applications—particularly where equipment weight or available installation space is constrained—SCHWERLL began, in 2025, developing miniaturized nitrogen‑boosting units based on its established standard designs. These compact units have been successfully deployed in nitrogen‑boosting systems for marine vessels and heavy‑duty vehicles.


What are the causes of severe pressure drop and shortened service life in bladder-type accumulators?

What are the causes of severe pressure drop and short service life in bladder-type accumulators? The structure of a bladder-type accumulator is quite simple, consisting mainly of an oil chamber surrounding the bladder and a gas chamber equipped with a gas‑tight seal. During operation, the hydraulic fluid must be connected to the hydraulic circuit; when the system pressure rises, the fluid flows into the accumulator, compressing the gas until the pressure in the system pipeline stabilizes.


How can we reduce failures when an accumulator malfunctions?

If an accumulator malfunctions, its performance will be directly affected, potentially leading to abnormal pressures and system failure. Therefore, it should receive close attention during routine operation, and appropriate measures must be implemented to mitigate risks. So, how can we minimize failures when an accumulator malfunctions? The following sections address this issue.


In a hydraulic circuit with multiple accumulators connected in parallel, if one bladder ruptures, will the other accumulators experience any change in volume?

Accumulators are intriguing components in hydraulic systems, analogous to capacitors in electrical circuits or springs in mechanical systems. As critical energy‑storage elements, they serve a variety of sophisticated functions, including hybrid‑power applications, shock absorption, pressure stabilization (and sometimes flow‑rate regulation), and the rapid release of stored energy to simulate impacts.


Is a bladder-type accumulator suitable for use in series with gas cylinders or cylinder banks?

1. Bladders typically have a shorter service life than piston‑type accumulators, and their quality varies significantly among different manufacturers. 2. Many factors can shorten a bladder’s lifespan and lead to rupture, including variations in the bladder’s intrinsic quality and durability; improper handling during assembly (e.g., failure to pre‑fill with fluid for lubrication); incorrect procedures during pre‑charging (e.g., insufficiently slow inflation); errors in calculating the pre‑charge pressure; oil‑port flow velocities approaching or exceeding 7 m/s; single‑stroke reciprocation times of 10 seconds or less when used for energy storage; collisions between the bladder and check valves during operation; large temperature fluctuations (including significant seasonal differences); prolonged lateral vibration; fluid‑induced corrosion; and inertial impacts from minute solid contaminants in the working medium, among others.