The Main AccumulatorThe first use of a pressurized sphere is as the main accumulator. It collects high-pressure fluid from the pump and distributes it to the subsystems. It is fed directly from the main pump through a pressure regulator switch. When pressure is low, e.g. at start-up time, pressurized fluid from the pump is sent into the accumulator. When the accumulator achieves adequate pressure, the switch diverts fluid from the pump directly back to the reservoir. The pump is sending pressurized fluid at all times. It sounds as if it is only engaged intermittently because it makes a chugging noise when the fluid is under load, but is silent when the fluid is being diverted effortlessly back to the reservoir. Please note that the diagram below is innaccurate. It will be altered when I have time... Each of the subsystems draws more or less directly from this sphere as pressure is needed to perform its specific function. The accumulator acts like a buffer, providing a constant flow of pressurized fluid, rather than variable spurts from the pump.
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