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?

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 lb
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 lb
b) What is the total resulting force acting on the
bottom of the container?
200 lb
 Fluid Power Principles
Pascal’s Law
• Hydraulic Press
• 10lb force can lift 100lb 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 Schematics
Schematics
• Line drawing made up of a series of symbols and connections that
represent the actual components in a hydraulic system
 Fluid Power Schematics
Symbols
• Critical for technical communication
• Not language-dependent
• Emphasize function and methods of operation
Basic Symbols
 Fluid Power Schematics
Lines
 Fluid Power Schematics
Reservoirs
 Fluid Power Schematics
Pumps
 Fluid Power Schematics
Flow Control Valves
 Fluid Power Schematics
Directional Control Valves
 Fluid Power Schematics
Check Valves
 Fluid Power Schematics
Motors
 Fluid Power Schematics
Cylinders
 Fluid Power Systems
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 by seals
• Water easily cavitates when subjected to negative pressures
• Water has a narrow temperature range between freezing and boiling
(0 to 100 C)
• 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