10/31/2018
Introduction to fluid
power
Faculty of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar
▐ Objectives
 Define the terms fluid power, hydraulic
system, and pneumatic system.
 Explain the extent of fluid power use in
current society and provide several specific
examples.
 List the advantages and disadvantages of
fluid power systems.
 Discuss scientific discoveries and
applications important to the historical
development of the fluid power industry.
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▐ Introduction
 Since the beginning of era, man has needed to
lift and move heavy objects
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▐ Definition of Fluid Power
 Fluid power systems are made up of
components designed to transfer and
transformation of energy by using Hydraulic or
Pneumatic systems.
 Fluid flow is created by internal pressure
differences, fluid flow transmits energy throughout
the system.
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▐ Concepts of Fluid Power ▐ Fluid power system

 Fluid power systems are generally grouped  A hydraulic power system consists of a prime
under two broad classifications: mover turning a pump to delivers a fluid, which
 1- Hydraulics, and is transmitted through lines to an actuator that
performs work.
 2- Pneumatics
 Hydraulics:Field of studying liquid movements and
its applications in practical use.
 Oil is usually used as a working medium.
 Pneumatics: Filed of studing gases or air Prime
movements and its applications in practical use. mover

 Air is usually used as a working medium.

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▐ Concepts in Fluid power ▐ Functions of Fluid Power Systems

 A Pump is the heart of any hydraulic system.  Fluid power systems perform five functions
during operation:
 It is operated via a prime mover (Electric or combustion)
 Energy conversion ■ Fluid distribution
to develop a fluid flow, in order to transfer mechanical
 Fluid control ■ Work performance
energy into hydraulic energy.
 Fluid maintenance
 A Compressor is the heart of any pneumatic system.

 It is operated via a prime mover (Electric or combustion)

to develop a gas/air flow, in order to transfer mechanical
energy into pressure energy.

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▐ Hydraulic verses pneumatic systems ▐ Basic fluid power system components

 Comparisons of hydraulic and pneumatic  Fluid power systems are structured using
systems may be done by analyzing: component groups that perform specific
system functions:
Property Hydraulic Pneumatic
 Power unit group
Operating pressure High operating Less pressures than
pressures hydraulic
 Actuators group
Accuracy of High Intermediate accuracy
actuator movement
 Conductors group
Actuator speed Slow Faster
Component weight Heavy and strong Lighter in weight  Control valves group
System cost High Low to moderate
 Fluid maintenance group
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▐ Advantages of Fluid Power Systems ▐ Basic System Components

 Power unit group deals primarily with energy
 Advantages of both hydraulic and pneumatic conversion and it consists of;
systems include easy control of: – Prime mover: Electric motors or internal combustion
 Force engines are most often the prime movers
 Torque – Pump or Compressor: produces the fluid flow
 Speed – Reservoir or receiver: to store system fluid, it also
 Power contributes to system temperature control and fluid
cleaning.
 Direction of actuators movements
Self-contained
power units

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▐ Basic System Components ▐ Basic System Components

 Actuators group  Conductors group
 Performs the work of the system  Conductors distribute
 Cylinders and motors are used in and Transmit fluid
both hydraulic and pneumatic throughout the system
systems
 Consists of:
 Cylinders produce linear motion
 Pipes or Tubes
 Motors produce rotary motion
 Hoses
– Motion is created when
pressurized fluid moves an
internal part of the actuators
from a high pressure area
toward a low pressure area.
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▐ Basic System Components ▐ Basic System Components

 Control valves group  Fluid maintenance group
 Controls fluid pressure, flow direction, and flow rate  Fluid maintenance devices:
 Three groups of valves: Filters
Directional control valves
 Vary the direction of movement of cylinders and motors Separators
 Change fluid flow paths to and from the actuators Lubricators
Pressure control valves
 Control pressure in a fluid power system
 Maintains system fluid by removing dirt and
 Restrict fluid flow into a part of the system contaminates, moisture, and excessive heat
 Allow fluid to return to a low pressure area after a desired (condition the fluid)
pressure is reached
Flow control valves  Assure effective system performance and
 Control fluid flow rate in a system acceptable service life
 The size of an orifice is adjusted to change flow

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▐ Hydraulic system operation- 01 ▐ Pneumatic system operation

 Movement of oil originates at the pump
 Low pressure at the pump inlet causes oil to pass
through a filter as it flows from the reservoir into the
pump
 High pressure at the pump outlet forces oil to the
directional control valve and on to the actuator
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 Movement of air begins at the compressor
 As air moves into the system from the atmosphere, it is:
(Filtered, Compressed, Stored in the receiver under
pressure)
 Pressurized air is distributed to system work stations
 At the work station:
A pressure regulator sets working pressure
A filter and lubricator provide final conditioning
 Air then moves through a directional control valve and on to
an actuator
 System work is performed by the actuator
 Air is discharged back into the atmosphere after passing
through the system
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▐ Hydraulic system operation- 02 ▐ Application of fluid power-1

 System work is performed by the actuator
 Industrial (Fixed) application
 Pressure control valves limit pressure in the system
 Flow control valves control the speed of actuator
movement.
 Oil is returned to the reservoir to be recirculated
through the system.

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▐ Application of fluid power-2

 Mobile (Moving) application:

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▐ Application of fluid power-3

 Special application

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