A hydraulic intensifier is a hydraulic component that converts low pressure from a large area of the intensifier into high pressure in a small area of the intensifier. Also called boosters, intensifiers are usually two different-sized cylinders connected by a common piston.Process fluid flows through the inlet check valve and fills the process fluid cylinder. Pressurized hydraulic fluid acting on the hydraulic piston strokes the piston assembly to the right. Process fluid in the right cylinder is forced through the discharge check valve. At the same time, fluid flows through the inlet check valve on the left cylinder filling this cylinder. At the end of this stroke, the four-way valve changes position and direct pressurized hydraulic fluid to the right side of the hydraulic piston. The piston assembly moves to the left, discharging fluid from the left cylinder. The piston assembly reverses direction automatically and the cycle repeats. A hydraulic intensifier lends itself to an entire range of application options, e.G. For rupture tests on hoses up to 5,000 bar, pipes and containers, for high-pressure metal forming (ihu/ahu), for closing and tensioning of moulds and tools, for presses, for proportioning precisely defined volumes and much more. By the way: hydraulic intensifiers can also be used as media converters for the separation of two different media (e.G. Different fluids). A hydraulic intensifier for oil well fracturing and/or erosion drilling incorporates a pair of intensifier units mounted on a common bed. The hydraulic intensifier units are particularly defined for ease of maintenance in the field, and structure is provided by which the ram seals as well as the ram, the ram cylinder, and the hydraulic cylinder can be easily and readily removed in the field without the necessity for releasing the tension on the tie rods.
To this end, the apparatus includes a front wall which supports the ram cylinder and an intermediate wall which supports the forward end of the hydraulic cylinder. The space between these walls and the manner in which the components are assembled permits the ram seal assembly, the ram and ram cylinder, and hydraulic piston to be extracted and reinserted. Also, an improved ram return system and a hydraulic cushioning system are disclosed. The present invention is directed to hydraulic intensifier apparatus of the general type outlined above which is particularly adapted for ease of field maintenance and service. The working rams and rams cylinders as well as all the packings associated with the ram and cylinders may be readily removed in the field for service and/or repair. In fact, the working ram and its cylinder can be removed without the necessity for disturbing the remaining components including the hydraulic cylinder or its piston or the tension tie rods. Thus, the elements of the hydraulic intensifier which are most subject to wear and which require the most frequent maintenance may be quickly removed and replaced or repaired and the hydraulic intensifier unit placed back into service with a minimum of down-time.
