Fluid Automation (Mechatronic Engineering)

Example of exam 4
Name: Surname: Id. number:

1. How are the variables pressure, temperature, volume (or gas density) in the case of a gas?
2. Differentiate between single acting and double acting cylinders.
3. What is a pneumatic muscle? Explain its constructional features.
4. What are the two ways to implement memory function in electropneumatic circuits?
5. Explain the function of a delay-on timer with a suitable circuit (electropneumatics).
6. Calculations
The following data refer to a test on the flow rate of a pneumatic valve. Supply (P1) and downstream
(P2) absolute pressure are referred. Flow rate is in standard reference conditions (ANR). During the
test supply pressure P1 is constant. temperature is equal to 20°C

P1 = 4 (bar) P2 (bar) Q (l/s ANR)

3.5 5.20
3.0 6.65
2.5 7.58
2.0 8.20
1.5 8.77
1.2 8.91
1.1 8.91

P1 = 5 (bar) P2 (bar) Q (l/s ANR)

4.5 5.61
4.0 7.47
3.5 8.76
3.0 9.78
2.5 10.42
2.0 10.89
1.5 11.09
1.2 11.15
Calculate:

⋅ Conductance C of the valve – (l/s bar ANR) (average value between the two test conditions);

⋅ Critical ratio b of the valve (average value between the two test conditions);

⋅ Nominal flow rate Qn of the valve (l/s ANR);

⋅ Valve coefficient Cv (l/s bar ANR) (average value between the two test conditions).

The pneumatic valve above controls the extension and retraction of a cylinder. The cylinder is a
double acting type with single rod. Neglecting the pressure drop between the valve and the
cylinder, the downstream pressure P2 of the valve can be considered equal to the pressure inside
the cylinder chambers. With P1 = 5 bar and ∆P=0.5 bar (across the valve) calculate:

⋅ wIN, instroke velocity of the rod (m/s);

⋅ wOUT, outstroke velocity of the rod (m/s);

⋅ t IN (s);

⋅ t OUT (s);

⋅ nc, number of cycles of the cylinder, per unit time (cycles/min).

Data: D= 50 mm (cylinder barrel diameter), d= 20 mm (rod diameter), s= 500 mm (cylinder stroke).