What is the role of the aircraft's hydraulic accumulator?

The role of the aircraft's hydraulic accumulator is to store hydraulic fluid energy. Accumulators are essential components in hydraulic systems as they provide a reserve of hydraulic pressure and fluid that can be tapped into when needed. This stored energy helps to ensure that there is sufficient pressure available to operate various hydraulic systems, such as landing gear, flight control surfaces, and brakes, particularly during peak demand or in the event of a pump failure.

Hydraulic accumulators can also help dampen pressure fluctuations in the hydraulic system, creating a more stable operation overall. This function is crucial for maintaining safe and reliable aircraft operations, especially during critical flight phases. The other options relate to systems that operate independently of the hydraulic system and do not accurately represent the purpose of an accumulator.