Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
accumulator
This term describes a mechanism of storage and buildup, appearing across diverse technical fields. In mechanical engineering, it refers to the physical containment of pressure or fluid to smooth out fluctuations in a system. In electronics, it specifically denotes a rechargeable battery, a usage more common in British English or technical manuals than in casual American English, where battery is preferred.
In computing, the term shifts to a logical space rather than a physical vessel, representing a high-speed register that holds the running total of a calculation. This creates a semantic thread of gathering and holding a value—whether that value is electrical charge, hydraulic pressure, or a numerical sum—until it is needed for the next stage of a process.
Meanings
A device for collecting and storing a quantity of something, such as energy or fluid.
The hydraulic system uses an accumulator to maintain constant pressure.
A rechargeable battery, particularly one used in a vehicle to provide the initial electrical surge for starting the engine.
The car failed to start because the accumulator was completely discharged.
A register in a computer processor where intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored.
The CPU moves the result of the addition into the accumulator before writing it to memory.
Examples
The nitrogen gas in the accumulator prevents sudden pressure spikes in the line.
Check if the accumulator is leaking fluid before you start the machine.
I need to replace the accumulator in my old truck because it cannot hold a charge.
Is the accumulator fully charged for the trip tomorrow?
The program clears the accumulator after every loop iteration.
Wait, did the value just get stored in the accumulator or the general register?
The system uses a high pressure accumulator to ensure a steady flow of oil.
The old computer architecture relied heavily on a single accumulator for all calculations.
The battery is essentially a chemical accumulator that stores energy for later use.