There are many technologies that have made their way from on-road applications to the heavy-duty mobile equipment industry over the years. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ in-house designed piston accumulator recently made a similar transition.

The company was approached by an agricultural equipment manufacturer who was experiencing quality issues with the diaphragm accumulators it typically used in its machines. Seeing similarities in operating conditions and performance needs as many of the automotive applications in which the piston accumulator is typically used, Freudenberg recommended the OEM use this accumulator technology instead. Extensive testing proved it could not only withstand use in a piece of farm equipment but exceed the service life of the previously used accumulator technology.

Technology transfers like this are not unique, but help demonstrate the versatility of many technologies and how re-evaluating a situation can lead to a better outcome.

What technologies have you seen applied in new or different ways than they may have initially been designed for? Have an application story you’d like to share related to a technology transfer such as this, or just a new way a technology was applied? Feel free to email me at [email protected] and let me know your thoughts!

Sara Jensen, Editor, Power & Motion