HYDRAULICS

THE BASICS

No. 9852 9542 01

 HYDRAULICS THE BASICS
TECHNICAL SERVICE

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT HYDRAULICS

• WHAT IS HYDRAULICS?
• A FEW SIMPLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS, WITH EXPLANATIONS
• SYMBOLS USED IN FLUID-CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
• A FEW POINTS TO BEAR IN MIND

Hydraulics involves the transmission of force and movement with the aid of fluids.

A pressure in a fluid exerts the same force in all directions.

Fluids cannot be compressed. That is why we can use them as efficient force transmitters.

In principle, all energy-transmission systems are constructed in the same way:

Energy generator ► Energy transmission ► Energy consumer

The most common energy-transmission systems are:

• Electric transmission
• Mechanical transmission
• Pneumatic transmission
• Hydraulic transmission

An energy-transmission system often consists of a combination of two or more of the types of

system mentioned above.

Hydraulic motors are small in relation to their power and torque output, and are easy to
regulate.
The pump converts mechanical power into hydraulic power.
The pump delivers a flow, the pressure depends on the resistance to flow.

Force is that which changes the movement of a body, or causes the movement of a
body. The unit of measurement for force is the newton (N). Force is represented
by the letter F.

Pressure is force per unit area (force/area). The unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa).
1 Pa = 1 N/m2. Pressure is represented by the letter p.

Work is force (N) x path (m). The unit of work is the joule (J).
1 J = 1 Nm.

Power is work per unit of time (work/time). The unit of power is the watt (W).
1 W = 1J/s.
1kW (kilowatt) = 1000 W.

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Fluids have low compressibility and good plasticity, which is advantageous in the
transmission of force in a hydraulic system.

The flow velocity is the speed in m/s at which the fluid flows through a line. A higher flow
velocity gives a lower static pressure.

The volume rate of flow is the volume of fluid that flows through a line per unit of time and
is stated in cubic metres per second (m3/s).

Hydraulic power is the product of the volume rate of flow (m3/s) x the pressure (Pa). The unit
of power is the watt (W).

The moment of force (or torque) is the product of the length of a lever (m) x the force (N).
The unit of moment of force (or torque) is the newton-metre (Nm).

Friction in a hydraulic system rises with:

• long lines
• many bends in the lines
• many valves
• cold oil
• sluggish fluids
• high flow velocity

The important properties of a hydraulic fluid will include its:

• viscosity, which is a measure of its resistance to flow
• score in the viscosity index, which indicates how much the fluid’s viscosity varies with
temperature. The higher the score in the viscosity index, the better.
• ability to lubricate in order to reduce friction
• compressibility
• water-separating ability
• ability to protect components from corrosion
• fire resistance
• toxicity
• impact on the environment
• cleanness

The service life of a hydraulic oil depends on how quickly it oxidizes. Air, water and other
pollutants in the oil, as well has high temperature, will speed oxidation.

Choice of hydraulic fluid:

• Always follow the recommendations of the system supplier.
• Never mix different types or brands of hydraulic fluid.

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SYMBOLS USED IN FLUID-CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS

Basic symbols
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
001 Line Thick solid line
Piston rod Flow paths
External control lines, drainage
lines
Components that are included in
the system
002 Line Fine, solid line
Internal flow paths
Components that are not included
in the system
003 Line Fine, broken line
Internal control line

006 Pump, compressor Normally ∅ 12

Motor, pressure source

007 Measuring instrument, Normally ∅ 8

(ISO 1219)
Rotating connection

009 Valve Rectange or square envelope

010 Filter, lubricator

Heat exchanger.

011 Line junction (joint) Diameter should be 5 times the

line thickness acc. to symbol 1

012 Spring

013 Restrictor Influenced by viscosity

014 Restrictor Not influenced by viscosity

The symbols above can be combined in different ways to describe different functions..

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Basic symbols
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
015 Direction of flow,
hydraulic
016 Direction of flow,
pneumatic.
017 Direction of linear
movement.
Path, direction of flow in
valves.
018 Direction of rotary
(ISO 1219)
movement

019 Controllability, Arrow can be drawn to indicate

adjustable, variable different directions

020 Boxing in of assosiated Fine, dot-dash line

components, or integral
assembly unit
021 Turning direction for Used with symbol for
increasing or decreasing controllability PNEUROP

Controls
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
040 General symbol

042 With lever

044 With plunger Operated axially

(ISO 1219)

047 With spring Spring compressed toward valve

symbol

048 With solenoid With a coil

061 Internal control line

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Energy sources
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
071 Electric motor

(ISO 1219)

072 Thermo motor

Pumpar
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
073 Hydraulic pump with
fixed dispacement and
one direction of flow (ISO 1219)

075 Hydraulic pump with

variable dispacement
and one direction of
flow

Motors
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
085 Motor with fixed
dispacement and one
direction of flow
086 Pneumatic

Hydraulic

087 Motor with fixed Direction of rotation changes when

dispacement and two the direction of flow is changed
direction of flow (ISO 1219)
088

089 Motor with variable

dispacement and one
direction of flow.
090

091 Torque motor.

092

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Cylinders
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
100 Singel-acting cylinder Cylinder in which the pressure
with return stroke medium acts on only one side of
effected by external load the piston
101 Singel-acting cylinder
with return stroke
effected by spring (ISO 1219)
102 Double-acting cylinder Cylinder in which the pressure
with single piston rod medium can act on either side of
the piston
103 Double-acting cylinder
with piston rod both
sides of the piston

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Directional valves
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
125 Valve position with one
path, with direction of
flow indicated.
126 Valve position with two
closed connections

127 Valve positions with two

paths, with directions of
128 flow indicated

121 Two or more envelopes

adjacent to each other
indicate a valve that can Exampel of line symbols. The line
be put in as many symbols normally lead to the (ISO 1219)
distinct positions as envelope that represents the
there are envelopes to valve´s position of rest. Other
control flow of pressure valve positions can be imagined
by´pushing´ the envelope system
until the lines meet the
corresponding envelop´s
connections
122 Envelope delimited When the valve is switched from
vertically by broken one position to another, it passes
lines indicates transitory an intermediate position. If this
function between the intermediate position is essential to
distinct positions of the the function of the valve, this can
valve be indicated between the broken
lines.
123 Lines parallel to the long Used in conjunction with
side of the valve symbol mechanical return of spool to
indicate that the valve neutral.
can adopt any
positionbetween its end
positions. (It is said that
the valve is ´infinite
positioning´or
´steplessly
controllable´.)

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Check valves
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
155 Check valve with Closes if the output pressure is
negligiable opening greater than the output pressure.
pressure Outlet

(ISO 1219)
Input
158 Check valve that is
pressure-contolled
externally, so that if can
be prevented from
closing
160 Hydraulic lock Complete symbol
DIN 24300
(indragen)

161 Throttle-check valve Valve that restricts flow in one

with fixed restrictor direction and permits full flow in
the other
163 Shuttle valve Outlet
(ISO 1219)
Inlet Outlet
The valve compares the incoming
pressures at the respective inlets
and exports the highest one
through the outlet. When the inlet
admits oil, the other is aleays
closed.

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Pressure-controlling valves
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
166 Pressure-controlling
valve with restrictor that
is normally closed
167 Pressure-controlling
valve with restrictor that
is normally open
170 Pressure relief valve The pressure at the inlet is limited
(ISO 1219)
( safety valve ) by the valve opening when the
counteracting spring force is
overcome.

179 Sequence valve When the inlet pressure overcomes

the spring force, the inlet and
outlet are connected. Symbol
shows an application with check-
valve bypass in one direction of
flow.

180 Pressure regulator The outlet pressure is limited by

without discharge, the valve closing when the outlet
spring controlled. pressure overcomes the spring
force.

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Flow-Controlling valves
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
190 Restrictor Influenced by viscosity
(general symbol)
191 Restrictor Not influenced by viscosity, e.g.
orifice plate, restricting washer
(ISO 1219)
192 Variable restrictor Simplified symbol. Used when
method of control does not need to
be shown.
201 Shut-off valve Simplified symbol

.
Containers
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
235 Container open to the
atmossphere. Tank.
237 Container open to the The synbol can also mean
atmossphere, with one "connection to tank". (ISO 1219)
line opening below the
fluid level.
241 Accumulator The pressure is maintained by a
compressed spring, weight or gas.

Filters
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
245 Filter, strainer
(ISO 1219)

Coolers
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
261 Cooler without The arrows indicate the removal of
(ISO 1219)
indication of lines for heat.
cooling medium.

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Measuring instruments
No Symbol Meaning Remarks Sourse
265 Pressure gauge, The line symbol can be connected
manometer in any direction.

266 Temperature gauge

(ISO 1219)

267 Flow meter Measure volume per unit of time

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Simpel hydraulic system

Basic circuit diagram:

1 4 5 6

Symbol diagram
1 4 5 6

Hydraulica systemsare used in many applications for the transmission and

boosting of force.

The system above consists of:

1. Pump 2. Eleltric motor
3. Tank 4. Pressure relief valve
5. Directional valve 6. Cylinder
7. Filter

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6 7
3

1 4 5 6

M 6
4 5
3 1

The jobs of the different components in a hydraulic system:

1. The pump converts mechanical power into hydraulic power.
The pump delivers a flow. The pressure depends on the resistance to flow in the system.
2. The electric motor drives the pump.
3. The tank serves to store the oil. The oil cools in the tank. Pollutants and condensation can
also be separated from the oil in the tank.
4. The pressure relief valve ensures that the pressure does not rise too high.
5. The directional valve controls the direction of oil flow.
6. The hydraulic cylinder converts the hydraulic power into mechanical power.
7. The filter removes dirt from the oil.
8. The cooler reduces the temperature of the hydraulic fluid.
The pressure lines carry high-pressure oil to the consumers.
The return lines carry low-pressure oil back to the tank.
In open hydraulic systems, the return oil is led to a tank.
In closed hydraulic systems, the return oil is led directly to the pump’s suction line. Closed
systems are often used to operate rotary motors.
.

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Construction of the circuit

11 10

9
8

6
5 12 4

M
1

1. Tank 2. Pump
3. Electric motor 4. Directional valve
5. Directional valve 6. Directional valve
7. Hydraulic lock 8. Throttle-check valve
9. Hydraulic cylinder 10. Torque motor
11. Hydraulic cylinder 12. Pressure relief valve

The jobs of the components:

The hydraulic cylinders (9 and 11) and the torque motor (10) are each controlled by a
directional valve (4, 5 and 6). Their functions vary, depending on the design of the valve
spools in the respective directional valves.
The hydraulic lock (7) locks the piston in the pre-set position. By means of the throttle-check
valve (8), the outward speed of the piston rod can be regulated.
The pump (2) delivers a flow. The pressure depends on the resistance in the system.

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HYDRAULIC SYSTEM – BOOMER

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