Update: 2/4/2021

ME4232: Fluid Power Controls Lab

Pre-lab Exercise: Lab 6: Meter in / Meter out

In the circuits below, the needle valve is used to control the force of the cylinder.
Assume ideal behavior of all components and that the 4-way valve is shifted to the
straight through condition (top position).

Circuit 1:

Ppump Qin Pcap

Qpump = Qrelief
10 gpm Acap = 2 in2
Arod = 1 in2

Pcrack = Qout
1000 psi Prod v = 15.4 in/s
F = 1000 lbf

Circle the type of control circuit shown above: Meter-in Meter-out Bleed-off

Find:
1. Qin

2. Pcap

3. Prod

4. Ppump

5. Output Power of the Actuator

6. Input Power of the Pump

7. Circuit Efficiency

8. Can you bypass the needle valve during the return stroke? If so, sketch how you
would modify the circuit to do so.

9. Can this circuit control an over-running load? Explain why/why not.

10. What would Prod be if F = -1000 lbf (i.e. downwards)? Compare it with Ppump

1
Circuit 2:

Ppump Qin Pcap

Qpump = Qrelief
10 gpm Acap = 2 in2
Arod = 1 in2

Pcrack = Qout
1000 psi Prod v = 15.4 in/s
F = 1000 lbf

Circle the type of control circuit shown above: Meter-in Meter-out Bleed-off

Find:
1. Qin

2. Pcap

3. Prod

4. Ppump

5. Output Power of the Actuator

6. Input Power of the Pump

7. Circuit Efficiency

8. Can you bypass the needle valve during the return stroke? If so, sketch how you
would modify the circuit to do so.

9. Can this circuit control an over-running load? Explain why/why not.

2
Circuit 3:

Ppump Qin Pcap

Qpump = Qrelief
10 gpm Acap = 2 in2
Arod = 1 in2

Pcrack = Qout
1000 psi Prod v = 15.4 in/s
F = 1000 lbf

Circle the type of control circuit shown above: Meter-in Meter-out Bleed-off

Find:
1. Qin

2. Pcap

3. Prod

4. Ppump

5. Output Power of the Actuator

6. Input Power of the Pump

7. Circuit Efficiency

8. Can you bypass the needle valve during the return stroke? If so, sketch how you
would modify the circuit to do so.

9. Can this circuit control an over-running load? Explain why/why not.