Introductions to Hydraulic Motors

Hydraulic Actuators
• Linear actuators convert fluid power to linear
mechanical motion and are called cylinders and where
investigated and studied in ROBO 121
• Rotary actuators that convert hydraulic energy to
mechanical energy and rotate less than 300 degrees
are called limited rotary actuators and were studied
briefly in ROBO 231
• Rotary actuators that convert hydraulic energy to
mechanical energy and rotate 360 degrees are called
motors and will be studied in ROBO 241
Conceptionally Hydraulic Motor
• Housing: is the outer shell of the motor and
contains the inlet and outlet ports (fluid energy)
• Rotating Mechanisms contain a surface area which
is acted upon by both pressure and flow to produce
speed and torque ( Gears, Vanes or Pistons)
• Power Output Shaft is connected to both the
rotating mechanism of the motor and the machine
load (mechanical energy)
 Hydraulic Motors
• Hydraulic Motors closely resemble pumps in their
construction
• Instead of pushing the fluid as a pump does they are
pushed by the fluid and develop torque and possibly
rotation called speed
• Hydraulic Motor are characterized by the same types as
pumps including Gear, Vane and Piston
• Pressure acting on the motor’s rotating mechanical
mechanism will always create a twisting force (torque)
and if the torque is strong enough to cause rotation of
the motor’s mechanical mechanism and output shaft
then the motor will rotational speed
 Torque and Speed

Resistance to rotation by an external load creates pressure in the

inlet of the motor resulting in a twisting force acting on the
surface area of the motor’s mechanical mechanism causing
Torque and possibly rotational speed
 Hydraulic Motors Operating
Concepts
• Fluid Energy … All hydraulic motors have internal
surface areas such as Gears, Vanes and Pistons which
are acted upon by the pressure differential acting across
the motor ports
• The rotational mechanical mechanisms are acted upon
by the fluid entering the inlet port
• Mechanical Energy … The mechanically mechanisms
are mechanically connected to the output shaft of the
motor
Gear Motors Uni-
Directional

• Low weight and size

• Medium pressures Bi-
• Low cost Directional

• Wide range of speeds

• Wide temperature range
• Simple design (external)
• Wide viscosity range
• HSHT or LTHS diameter of gears

•
gear tooth size
Dirt tolerant gear width

COPYRIGHT C (1998) VICKERS, INCORPORATED 5-4

• External spur gear motor are the simplest type of motor

• Fixed displacement
• Pressure unbalanced (large bearings)

• Internal Orbital Gear Motor

• Fixed displacement
• Pressure unbalanced

COPYRIGHT C (1998) VICKERS, INCORPORATED 5-7

Vane Motors
• Low noise level
• Medium pressure
• High torque low speed
• Simple design Vickers page 164 and 165
• Very versatility
• Vertical installation friendly
• Generally HSLT design
• Fixed Displacement and pressure unbalanced
• Fixed Displacement and pressure balanced
• Variable Displacement and pressure unbalanced
 Piston Motor
• Higher speeds
• Higher efficiencies
• Less dirt tolerant
• Multiple adjustment for variable control
• Axial Motor
• HSLT or LSHT
• Piston arranged parallel to the centerline of
the barrel
• Fixed displacement
• Variable displacement
• Radial Motor
• LSHT motors as slow as 1 rev per minute
• Piston arranged perpendicular the barrel
• Fixed displacement
 Limited Rotation Actuator
• Sometimes called torque motors
• Rotation is less vane 300 degrees
• Rack-and Pinion
• High efficiency (90%)
• Wide range of load carrying sizes and torque

• Vane
• Rotation of 280 degrees or less for single vane
• Rotation of 100 degrees or less for dual vanes
• Dual vanes have higher Torque capabilities
• Efficiency of 90 %
• Load must have external stops
• Helicon piston and rod
• High Torque in small size
• Efficiency is 80 %
 Motor Performance Terms
• Displacement (cubic inch per revolution)
• Speed (rpm)
• Bearing Load Classification
• Torque (inch lbs)
• Flow (gallons per minute)
• Pressure (psi)
• Efficiency (percentage)
• Expected Life (hours of Operation)