Introduction
1. Definition
Fluid power is the technology that deals with the generation, control, and
transmission of power, using pressurized fluids.
It can be said that fluid power is the muscle that moves industry. This is because
fluid power is used to push, pull, regulate, or drive virtually all the machines of
modern industry. For example, fluid power steers and brakes automobiles,
launches spacecraft, moves earth, harvests crops, mines coal, drives machine
tools, controls airplanes, processes food, and even drills teeth. In fact, it is almost
impossible to find a manufactured product that hasn't been "fluid-powered" in
some way at some stage of its production or distribution.
Fluid power is called hydraulics when the fluid is a liquid and is called
pneumatics when the fluid is a gas. Thus fluid power is the general term used for
both hydraulics and pneumatics.
So we can say that hydraulics is the technology that deals with the generation,
control, and transmission of power, using pressurized liquids.
2. Applications of Hydraulics
The place held by hydraulics in (modern) automation technology illustrates the
wide range of applications for which it can be used. A basic distinction is made
between:
stationary hydraulics
and mobile hydraulics
Mobile hydraulic systems move on wheels or tracks while stationary hydraulic
systems remain firmly fixed in one position.
Examples
1. Ease and accuracy of control. By the use of simple levers and push buttons,
the operator of a hydraulic system can readily start, stop, speed up or slow
down, and position forces that provide any desired horsepower with
tolerances as precise as one ten-thousandth of an inch.
2. Transmission of large forces using small components, i.e. great power-
per-weight ratio. A hydraulic system (without using cumbersome gears,
pulleys, and levers) can multiply forces simply and efficiently from a few
grams to several hundred tons of output.
3. Simplicity, safety, economy. In general, fluid power systems use fewer
moving parts than comparable mechanical or electrical systems. Thus,they
are simpler to maintain and operate. This, in turn, maximizes safety,
compactness, and reliability.
4. Constant force or torque over velocity. Hydraulic systems are capable of
providing constant force or torque regardless of speed changes. This is
accomplished whether the work output moves a few centimeters per hour,
several meters per minute, a few revolutions per hour, or thousands of
revolutions per minute.
5. Even movements independent of load. This is because liquids are
considered relatively incompressible fluids.
Other advantages include,
6. Start-up under heavy load.
7. Instantly reversible motion.
8. Automatic protection against overloads.
9. Infinitely variable speed control.
4. Drawbacks of Hydraulics