Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Introduction to Fluid
Power
 Objectives

• Define the terms fluid power, hydraulic system, and

pneumatic system.

• List the advantages and disadvantages of fluid power

systems.

2
 Definition of Fluid Power
• A fluid power system consists of a prime mover turning
a pump to pressurize a fluid, whose flow is controlled by
Control Valves and is transmitted through lines to an
actuator that performs work.

3
 Definition of Fluid Power
• Fluid power systems are generally grouped under two
broad classifications:
– Hydraulics

– Pneumatics

• Hydraulic systems generally use oil as the system fluid,

while pneumatic systems use air.

4
 Fluid Power Systems

• Comparisons of hydraulic and pneumatic systems may

be done by analyzing:
– Operating pressure
– Accuracy of actuator movement
– Actuator speed
– Component weight
– System cost

5
 Fluid Power Systems
• Hydraulic systems are accurate, operate at high
pressures, are slow, and have strong and heavy
components.

6
 Fluid Power Systems

• Compared to hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems:

– Are less accurate
– Are faster
– Have components that are lighter in weight

7
 Fluid Power Systems

• Advantages of both hydraulic and pneumatic systems

include easy control of:
– Force
– Torque
– Speed
– Direction of actuators

8
 Why Use Fluid Power?
• Multiplication & variation of force
• Easy & accurate control
• One power source controls many operations
• High power / low weight ratio
• Low speed torque
• Constant force and torque
• Safe in hazardous environments
 Basic Fluid Power Components
• Reservoir / Receiver
– Stores fluid
• Fluid Conductors
– Pipe, tube, or hose that allows for flow between components
• Pump / Compressor
– Converts mechanical power to fluid power
• Valves
– Control direction and amount of flow
• Actuators
– Convert fluid power to mechanical power
 Fluid Power Physics
• Energy
– The ability to do work
• Energy Transfer
– From prime mover, or input source, to an actuator, or output
device
 Fluid Power Physics

• Work
– Force multiplied by distance
• Example:
– How much work is completed by moving a
1000 lb force 2 ft?
 Fluid Power Physics

• Work
– Force multiplied by distance
• Example:
– How much work is completed by moving a
1000 lb force 2 ft?

2000 ft-lb of work

 Fluid Power Physics
• Power
– The rate of doing work
– Work over time in seconds
• Example:
– How many units of power are needed to
lift a 1000 pound force 2 feet in 2
seconds?
 Fluid Power Physics
• Power
– The rate of doing work
– Work over time in seconds
• Example:
– How many units of power are needed to
lift a 1000 pound force 2 feet in 2
seconds?
= (F . d)/t
= (1000lb x 2ft) / 2s
= 1000 of power
 Fluid Power Principles
• Horsepower
– Term used for measuring power
– Unit for measurement of energy
– Hydraulic horsepower is expressed as:
Fluid Power Principles
 Fluid Power Principles
• Calculate the horsepower needed in the system below to
lift a 10,000lb force 1ft in 2s.

= 8.75 hp
 Fluid Power Principles
Heat
• Law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither
be created nor destroyed, although it can change forms.
• Energy not transferred to work takes the form of heat energy.
 Fluid Power Principles
Torque
• Twisting force
• force x distance
• Measured in foot-pounds

Calculate the torque produced when 10 lb of force is applied

to a 1 ft long wrench.
 Fluid Power Principles
Torque
• The generated work of a hydraulic or pneumatic motor
• Motor rpm at a given torque specifies energy usage or horsepower
requirement
 Fluid Power Principles
Torque
Electrical Motor Torque Equation in BG units
Torque can be calculated in Imperial units as: Tin = Php (63025) / n (1)
Where: Tin = torque (in-lbf);
Php = horsepower delivered by the electric motor
n = revolution per minute (rpm)
Alternatively
Tft = Php (5252) / n (2)
Where: Tft = torque (ft-lbf);

Torque can be calculated in SI units as

T = PW (9.554) / n (3)
Where: T = torque (Nm); PW = power (watts); n=revolution per minute (rpm)

•British Gravitational System of Units (BG)

 Fluid Power Principles
Torque
Example - Electrical Motor Torque

Torque from an electrical motor with 100 hp and speed 1000 rpm can be
calculated as:

T = (100 hp) 63025 / (1000 rpm)

= 6303 (in-lbf)

To convert to ft-lbf ; divide the torque by 12.

 Fluid Power Principles
• Flow makes actuator operation possible

Retracted cylinder

• To extend the cylinder, flow must be directed into which

port? A or B.
 Fluid Power Principles

• Flow makes actuator operation possible

Pressure Line
Return Line

Flow is directed into Port B for cylinder

to extend.
• To retract the cylinder, flow must be directed into what
port?
 Fluid Power Principles

• Flow makes actuator operation possible

Pressure Line
Return Line

The cylinder retracts when flow is

directed into Port A.
 Fluid Power Principles
Rate of Flow
• Determines actuator speed
• Measured in gallons per minute (gpm)
• Generated by a pump
 Fluid Power Principles
For a Given Flow Rate
• Actuator volume displacement directly affects actuator speed
• The less volume to displace, the faster the actuator

Will the actuator illustrated below travel at the same speed as it

retracts and extends if a constant flow rate is maintained?
 Fluid Power Principles
For a Given Flow Rate
• Actuator volume displacement directly affects actuator speed
• The less volume to displace, the faster the actuator

Will the actuator illustrated below travel at the same speed as it

retracts and extends if a constant flow rate is maintained?

No. The actuator will travel faster as it retracts due to less

volume caused by the actuator shaft.
 Fluid Power Principles
Pressure & Resistance to flow
• Pumps produce flow by adding pressure energy to the fluid
– If you restrict the flow from the pump, pressure increase will result.
• All points of resistance in series within a system contribute to total
system pressure, including constrictions, long runs of pipe, elbows, etc.
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• States the Relationship between force, pressure, and area

force =pres sure  area

force
press ure =
area
force
area =
press ure
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• Pressure applied on a confined fluid at rest is transmitted undiminished
in all directions and acts with equal force on equal areas and at right
angles to them.
a) If 10 lb of force is applied to the one square inch
stopper; How much force is exerted on every
square inch of the container wall?

b) What is the total resulting force acting on the

bottom of the container?
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• Pressure applied on a confined fluid at rest is transmitted undiminished
in all directions and acts with equal force on equal areas and at right
angles to them.
a) If 10 lb of force is applied to the one square inch
stopper; How much force is exerted on every
square inch of the container wall?
10 psi
b) What is the total resulting force acting on the
bottom of the container?
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• Pressure applied on a confined fluid at rest is transmitted undiminished
in all directions and acts with equal force on equal areas and at right
angles to them.
a) If 10lb of force is applied to the one square inch
stopper; How much force is exerted on every
square inch of the container wall?
10 psi
b) What is the total resulting force acting on the
bottom of the container?
200 lb
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• Hydraulic Press
• 10 lb force can lift 100 lb weight
• What is the tradeoff?
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• Hydraulic Press
• 10lb force can lift 100lb weight
• What is the tradeoff?

Distance
 Fluid Power Systems
Properties of Hydraulic Fluids

• The main purpose of the fluid in a fluid power system is to transmit

power.
• The fluids must cool the system by dissipation of heat in a radiator or
reservoir
• The fluids must help with sealing to prevent leaks
• The fluids must lubricate sliding and rotating surfaces such as those in
motors and cylinders
• The fluids must not corrode components and must have a long life
without chemical breakdown.
 Fluid Power Systems
Hydraulic Fluids
• The earliest hydraulic systems used water for the fluid. Water is safe for
humans and environment, cheap and readily available
• However, water it has significant disadvantages for hydraulic applications.
• Water provides almost no lubrication, has low viscosity and leaks from
seals
• Water easily cavitates when subjected to negative pressures
• Water has a narrow temperature range between freezing and boiling
(0 to 100 oC)
• Water is corrosive to the steels; used extensively in hydraulic components
• Water is a friendly environment for bacterial and algae growth.
 Fluid Power Systems
Hydraulic Fluids
• Modern hydraulic system use petroleum based oils, with
additives to inhibit foaming and corrosion.
• Petroleum oils are inexpensive, provide good lubricity
• Petroleum oils with additives, have long life.
• The brake and automatic transmission fluids in your car are
examples