🔍 Key Concepts

• Hydraulic accumulator function – how gas charge affects system pressure and pump loading • Relief valve operation – what makes it open, and what keeps it open vs. just momentarily opening • Effect of flow restrictions vs. pressure settings (restrictor valve vs. relief valve spring) on system pressure at the pump outlet

💭 Think About

• In this circuit, think about which component directly determines when the relief valve opens: is it pressure, flow, or gas volume? • Which change would cause the pump outlet pressure to reach the relief setting and then stay at or above that setting, even while the system is operating? • For each option, ask: does this lower system pressure, raise it briefly, or remove the system’s ability to absorb pressure so that the relief must handle it continuously?

✅ Before You Answer

• Trace flow from the pump outlet to the relief valve and to the load/accumulator to see what happens when the actuator is at the end of its stroke. • Decide which option would keep pressure at or above the relief set point for an extended period, not just cause a quick spike. • Check which changes mainly affect pressure setting at the relief valve itself versus those that only affect downstream flow or damping.