Syllabus

Course Goals and Objectives

Our goals in teaching this course are to:

 Introduce you to fluid power components, circuits, and systems.

 Explain and demonstrate the fundamentals of modeling hydraulic components and circuits.
 Provide you with experience in designing and analyzing hydraulic circuits for specific
applications.
 Introduce you to simulating fluid power systems using software.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

 Explain the benefits and limitations of fluid power compared to other power transmission
technologies.
 Identify common hydraulic components, their construction, use, and symbols.
 Formulate, analyze and simulate dynamic models of hydraulic components and circuits.
 Design and predict the performance of fluid power circuits.

Readings and Materials

Required Readings

 Durfee, W., Sun, Z., and Van de Ven, J., 2015, Fluid Power System Dynamics, Center for
Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. Available free online.

Optional Readings

 Eaton Hydraulics Training Services, 2008, Industrial Hydraulics Manual, 5th Ed., Eaton
Hydraulics Training Services.
 Manring, N., 2005, Hydraulic Control Systems, Wiley.
 Merritt, H.E., 1967, Hydraulic Control Systems, Wiley.
 Sullivan, J., 1998, Fluid Power, Theory and Applications, 4th Ed. Prentice Hall.
 Cundiff, J.S., 2001, Fluid Power Circuits and Control, CRC Press.

Simscape Fluids
 For some assignments, you will be using a software package called Simscape Fluids (formerly
SimHydraulics) from the MathWorks company that you will run on your home computer.
Simscape Fluids is an object-oriented simulation package that lets you draw a fluid power
circuit, simple or complex, and predict its performance.
 Additional information (including download instructions) on Simscape Fluids will become
available during later weeks of this course.

Grading Policy

 Students who take all of the quizzes and receive an overall average score of 70% or above will
earn a Statement of Accomplishment.
 If you sign up for the Signature Track option, you will receive a Verified Certificate for an overall
average score of 70% or above on all quizzes.
 To receive a Statement of Accomplishment or Verified Certificate, you must complete all
quizzes.

Assignments and Activities

Homework Problems:

 Each unit has homework problems to complete. These homework problems are not graded, but
are critical to your learning in this course.
 If you encounter difficulty with problems, you can use pose your question in the Main Forum.

Solutions to Homework Problems:

 Homework solutions are also provided. Going over the correct answers will allow you to self-
check your understanding.
 We recommend that you work on the Homework Problems without consulting the solutions in
order to gain the most from the assignment. Use the solutions to check your work.

Quizzes

Quizzes:

 You will have no time limit to complete each quiz.

 You are allowed two attempts for each quiz; there is no mandatory delay between attempts one
and two.
 Your score on your last attempt (whether it is higher or lower than the previous attempt) will be
recorded and contribute to your final grade for the course.

Discussion Forums

Main Forums:
 Each unit there will be questions posed in the online discussion forum; these forums will not be
graded, but will greatly benefit your learning.

Course Outline

Course Welcome

Overview and Welcome

WEEK 1: What is Fluid Power?

 What is Fluid Power?

 Hydraulics and Pneumatics
 Fluid Power Compared to Other Transmission Technologies
 Fundamentals of Fluid Power via the Cylinder

WEEK 2: Components and Concepts: Part 1

 Schematic Diagrams
 Fluid Power Conduits

WEEK 3: Components and Concepts: Part 2

 The Valve
 Pumps

WEEK 4: Predicting Performance through Simulation

 Simulation

WEEK 5: Fluid Properties

 Introduction to Hydraulic Fluids

 Compressibility
 Inertia

WEEK 6: Advanced Components and Systems

 Acculumlator
 Servovalves
 Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles
 Course Summary