Dr. D. Y.

Patil Institute of Engineering, Management, and Research, Akurdi,

Pune-411044.
Mechanical Engineering Department

Hydraulics and Pneumatics

EXPERIMENT NO-
TEST ON A LINEAR ACTUATOR
Aim- Test on a linear /rotary actuator
A) Cylinder Inclination Test B) Cylinder Diameter and Load Test

Introduction:
Hydraulic systems are used to control and transmit power. A pump driven by a prime mover
such as an electric motor creates a flow of fluid, in which the pressure, direction, and rate of
flow are controlled by valves. An actuator is used to convert the energy of fluid back into
mechanical power. The amount of output power developed depends upon the flow rate, the
pressure drop across the actuator and its overall efficiency. Thus, hydraulic actuators are
devices used to convert the pressure energy of the fluid into mechanical energy.

Depending on the type of actuation, hydraulic actuators are classified as follows:

1. Linear actuator: For linear actuation (hydraulic cylinders).
2. Rotary actuator: For rotary actuation (hydraulic motor).
3. Semi-rotary actuator: For the limited angle of actuation (semi-rotary actuator)

Hydraulic linear actuators, as their name implies, provide motion in a straight line. The total
movement is a finite amount determined by the construction of the unit. They are usually
referred to as cylinders, rams, and jacks. All these items are synonymous in general use,
although ram is sometimes intended to mean a single-acting cylinder and jack often refers to a
cylinder used for lifting. The function of the hydraulic cylinder is to convert hydraulic power
into linear mechanical force or motion. Hydraulic cylinders extend and retract a piston rod to
provide a push or pull force to drive the external load along a straight-line path.

Hydraulic cylinders are of the following types:

1. Single-acting cylinders.
2. Double-acting cylinders.
3. Telescopic cylinders.
4. Tandem cylinders

Double-Acting Cylinder -
There are two types of double-acting cylinders:
1. Double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on one side.
2. Double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on both sides.
 Double-Acting Cylinder with a Piston Rod on One Side-
The figure shows the operation of a double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on one
side. To extend the cylinder, the pump flow is sent to the blank-end port as in Fig. The
fluid from the rod-end port returns to the reservoir. To retract the cylinder, the pump
flow is sent to the rod-end port and the fluid from the blank-end port returns to the
tank as in Fig.

Figure - Double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on one side

PROCEDURE:

1. To open the Automation Studio Software, double click on Automation Studio

Software Icon. You can adjust the Screen working area by using the zoom options, by
clicking on Plus sign which is provided on the top menu.
2. Now we have to build a Hydraulic Circuit. On the left-hand side, the Component
library is provided for different systems like Hydraulic, Pneumatic and Electrical
Control, etc.
3. Click on Hydraulic Module. At the bottom of the modules list, the commonly used
components with their images are seen.
4. Now drag and Drop the required components on to the Working space.
5. Now connect the components to build the hydraulics circuit.

A) Cylinder Inclination Test:

 In this Experiment, we will check the effect of Cylinder Inclination on the behaviour
of both the cylinders while extraction, by observing its pressure readings.
 Set the parameters Piston Diameter (D), Rod Diameter (d), Stroke (m), External Load
(Kg), Inclination angle, degree.
 So in the first set cylinder is horizontal with no inclination and in another set with
some inclination by keeping other parameters constant. Now we have to check the
behavior of the Cylinders by observing their Pressure Measurements.
Now we have to measure the pressure for both the cylinder while extraction. For that Click on
"Measuring" toolbar and select "Insert node Dynamic Measuring Instrument".

In Simulation, you can see that resulting pressure in circuit and note in the observation table.

Observation table no.1-

Sr Cracking Piston Rod Stroke, External Inclination, Required

no Pressure, Diameter Diameter m Load, degree Pressure to
Bar (D), cm (d), cm Kg push the
Cylinder,
Bar
B) Cylinder Diameter and Load Test:

 In this experiment, we will see the Cylinder Load Handling Capacity with respect to
its Piston Diameter.
 Set the parameters Piston Diameter (D), Rod Diameter (d), Stroke (m), External Load
(Kg), Inclination angle, degree and simulate the Circuit and see the pressure behavior.
 Now by changing only Piston Diameter (D), and keeping other parameters constant
observe resulting pressure in circuit and note in the observation table.

Observation table no. 2-

Sr Cracking Piston Rod Stroke, External Inclination, Required

no Pressure, Diameter Diameter m Load, degree pressure to
Bar (D), cm (d), cm Kg push the
Cylinder,
Bar

Conclusion-

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