Components of Fluid Power System

Virtually, all-hydraulic circuits are essentially the same regardless of the application. There are six basic

components required for setting up a hydraulic system:

1. A reservoir to hold the liquid (usually hydraulic oil)

2. A pump to force the liquid through the system

3. An electric motor or other power source to drive the pump

4.Valves to control the liquid direction, pressure and flow rate

5. An actuator to convert the energy of the liquid into mechanical force or torque, to do useful work. Actuators

can either be cylinders which provide linear motion or motors which provide rotary motion, and

6. Piping to convey the liquid from one location to another.

samar
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Figure 9.1 illustrates the essential features of a basic hydraulic system with a linear hydraulic actuator. The

extent of sophistication and complexity of hydraulic systems vary depending on the specific application.

Each unit is a complete packaged power system containing its own electric motor, pump, shaft coupling,

reservoir and miscellaneous piping, pressure gauges, valves and other components required for operation.

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Fluid Power Symbols
Symbol Groups

Circles/Semi Circles Rectangles and Squares Diamonds

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Piping and Tubing Symbols

Normal working line

Flexible working line

Pilot line

Drain line

Enclosure outline

Direction of flow
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 Crossing lines

Joining lines

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Reservoirs

Open Sealed

Reservoir

Connecting lines above fluid level

Connecting lines below fluid level

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Diamonds

Symbols in diamonds condition the oil in some way. Heating, cooling, filtering
etc.

Filter Cooler Heater

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Auxiliaries

Basic filter/strainer

Separator

Manual Automatic

Filter-separator

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 Cooler

Liquid Gaseous

Heater

Temperature controlled

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Measurement Devices
Pressure Nozzle

Pressure Switch
Temperature

Flow meter, rate

Float switch

Flow meter, totalizing

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Circles/Semi-Circles
Circles generally represent devices that can deliver or use oil.

Unidirectional Bi-directional Bi-directional Unidirectional Semi Rotary

Fixed Fixed Fixed Variable Actuator
Displacement Displacement Displacement Displacement
Hydraulic Pump Hydraulic Pump Hydraulic Motor Hydraulic Pump

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Pumps

Fixed displacement

Unidirectional Bidirectional
Variable displacement,
non-compensated,
unidirectional

Variable displacement,
non-compensated,
bidirectional

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Pumps

Variable displacement,
pressure-compensated,
unidirectional

Variable displacement,
pressure-compensated,
bidirectional

M Electric Motor Internal combustion

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Three Types of Pump

Gear Pump Vane Pump Piston Pump

Notice that the symbol does not describe the component construction.
Symbols describe component functions only.

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Motors
Fixed displacement,
unidirectional

Fixed displacement,
bidirectional

Variable displacement,
unidirectional

Variable displacement,
bidirectional

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Rectangles and Squares

Rectangles and squares are generally used to represent components that direct and
control oil in some way.

Valves can be:

One Position Two Position Three Position

Usually control.
Relieving or
Directing the
controlling
flow of oil to
pressure and
various
flow for
positions.
example.

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Direction Arrows

Arrows Can Indicate:

Flow in One Flow in Two Rotation Variability

Direction Directions

Arrow at 30 or 60 degrees
through a component that can
be varied.

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Valves Ports
Valves Can Have Various Ports:

Two Ports Three Ports Four Ports

Blocked Port

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 Valve Classification
Valves Can Commonly be Classified
as:
Two Port/Two Position Three Port/Two Position Four Port/Two Position
Directional Control Valve (2/2 Directional Control Valve (3/2 Directional Control Valve (4/2
DCV) DCV) DCV)

Four Port/Three Position Directional Control Valve

(4/3 DCV)

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The 4/3 DCV
Symbol

Bosch Solenoid 4/3 DCV Cut Away

Operated 4/3 DCV
Valve Body

Solenoid

Spool Solenoid
(Schieber) Coil

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Various 4/3 Centre Configurations

All Blocked Semi Open Centre

(Pump Side) Semi Open Centre
System Side)

Y h H

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 Valves

Normally closed, two- Normally closed, two-

way, two port way, two position, two
port

Normally closed, four way, three

position, four port

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Valves

Normally open, two-way, Normally open, two-way,

two position, two port three position, three port

Normally open, four way, three

position, four port

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Valves

Normally open, two-way, Normally open, two-way,

two position, two port three position, three port

Normally open, four way,

infinite position, four port

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The 4/3 DCV Controlling a Linear Actuator (Cylinder)

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Symbol Operation
Imagine the symbol moving from right to left as the valve is
operated.
The system connections stay in position.

The symbol represents the spool position of the valve.

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Symbol Operation
Imagine the symbol moving from right to left as the valve is
operated.
The system connections stay in position.

The symbol represents the spool position of the valve.

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Symbol Operation
Imagine the symbol moving from right to left as the valve is
operated.
The system connections stay in position.

The symbol represents the spool position of the valve.

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Control Valves
Control Valves Control Pressure and Flow

Relief Valve Pressure Reducing Restrictor With Check Valve

Valve

Pressure Relief Valves are primarily Pressure Reducing Valves are used Restrictors are used to control oil
used to set the maximum system to set the maximum system flow and thus actuator and system
pressure. pressure at the valve outlet. The speeds.
valve gives a controlled pressure
output lower than the inlet
pressure.
Pressure Controlling Valves Flow Controlling Valve

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Relief Valve Symbol Operation

Low
Pressure

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Relief Valve Symbol Operation

High
Pressure

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 Inside the Relief Valve and Restrictor

Relief Valves
Restrictor with Check
Valve Inlet/Outlet Adjustment

Inlet

Outlet Adjustment
Spring

Check Valve
Restrictor Inlet/Outlet
Orifice

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 Relief Valve
Spring loaded
Valve normally
closed
Variable

Pressure Side

Valve is
regulated by
the feed
pressure
When open, goes to tank

Represents the pilot line

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Pressure Reducing Valve

Spring loaded Valve normally

open

Variable

Pressure Side

Valve is
regulated by
the discharge
Discharge side goes to line
pressure

Represents the pilot line

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Valves

Relief Valve

Sequencing Valve

Pressure
Reducing/Regulating
Valve
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Valves
Spring
Used to return some valve spools to
a known position.
Orifice
Used to control the flow of oil.

V Timing logic

Check valve
Allows oil in one direction only.

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Valves

Flow control with bypass, pressure

compensated

Flow control with bypass, pressure and

temperature compensated

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Valves

Counterbalance Valve

Unloading Valve

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Valve Actuators
The Valve Actuator Moves the Spool to its
Various Positions:

Pilot (Oil Pressure) Lever Spring

Roller Push Button Solenoid

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Controls

Push Button Liquid pilot

Lever Gas pilot

Pedal Servo

Cam Pilot or solenoid

Pilot and solenoid

Solenoid activated, spring
return

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Actuators

Actuators Can Be:

Linear, Single Acting Linear, Double

Acting

Oil pressure extends Oil pressure extends

the cylinder. The load the cylinder and
retracts the cylinder. retracts the cylinder.

Or Rotary

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 Cylinder Cushioning
Annular End Piston Rod
Full Bore End

Cushion Symbol

Cushion Illustration

The cushion slows the cylinder down just before it hits the back (or
front) of the cylinder.

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 Cylinder Cushioning
Annular End Piston Rod
Full Bore End

Cushion Symbol

Variability
Cushion Illustration

The cushion slows the cylinder down just before it hits the back (or
front) of the cylinder.

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Cylinders

Single acting Double acting

Single acting, Double acting,

spring return double rod

Double acting, Double acting,

single cushion Double cushion

Double acting,
double adjustable Ram
cushion

Pressure
Telescoping
intensifier

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