Parker will provide Bloodhound's airbrake backup

Powered by a jet engine and rocket, the Bloodhound SSC (supersonic car) will begin high-speed testing at Hakskeen Pan in South Africa later this year with a target of reaching 800mph. Parker’s energy storage system will provide fast access to a big energy boost if this is needed, for instance, during rapid braking after the record attempt is complete.

Although the vehicle will rely on powerful air brakes to slow the vehicle from 800mph and below, if a loss of hydraulic power occurs, Parker’s two composite piston accumulators will be ready to release energy stored within them and deploy the air brakes at a controlled speed.

Compared to the steel bladder accumulators that might normally be used on such a vehicle, the composite accumulators are more compact and are 60 percent lighter, while being stronger and less susceptible to fatigue.

Traditionally, composite accumulators have used metal liners with an outer composite reinforcing structure, owing to the high-stresses involved. However, Parker’s engineers have been working for over 10 years to develop a high-performance hydraulic product that is almost entirely made of composites.