Introduction to Basic Hydraulics

Experiment 1-1

How to Use this Workbook

The workbook is broken down into 3 Units and 19 experiments, each experiment having one or more parts. Each experiment has objectives that should be read prior to reading and performing the experiment.

At the end of each experiment section there will be questions in the section called check out activities and these should be completed following the experiment.

How to Perform the Experiments

Students will work in groups of 2 or 3. Each person in each group should take turns in reading directions, building circuits, and recording information as the experiment proceeds.

Prior to performing the experiment, each student should read the background information section, including the objectives, and read through the experiment to be familiar with it which will ensure success.

Introduction to Basic Hydraulics

Objectives
1. Describe the operation of a basic hydraulic system

2. Explain where and why Hydraulics is used in industry.

3. Describe the operation of components used in a basic hydraulic system.

What is Fluid Power?

Fluid power is the engineering science and technology that deal with the generation of, control, and transmission of energy through the use of pressurized fluids. Fluid power is quite literally the brute force behind industry because it is used to push, pull, drive, and regulate virtually all machines used in industry. Fluid power is used in the steering, brake system, and automatic transmissions of cars and trucks. In addition to the automotive industry, fluid power is used to control airplanes and spacecraft, harvest crops, mine coal, drive machine tools, and process food. Since fluids exist as either a liquid or a gas, fluid power is a term used to describe both hydraulics and pneumatics.

Advantages of Fluid Power

1. Very Accurate.

2. Power
3. Cost effective. 4. Multi-Speed Capable 5. Multi-Motion Capable 6. Unlimited Conductive Geometry 7. Can be stalled out 8. Compact

Basic Hydraulic System

Basic Hydraulic System

1. Reservoir 2. Pump 3. Electric Motor (prime mover) 4. Valves

5. Conductors (pipe, tubing, and hose)

6. Actuators

Basic Pneumatic System

1. Receiver 2. Compressor 3. Electric Motor (prime mover) 4. Valves

5. Conductors (pipe, tubing, and hose)

6. Actuators

Schematic Symbols

Check Out Activities

1. What are the two types of fluid power systems? 2. How is energy transmitted in a fluid power system? 3. Name the most common form of energy generated (used) by power plants. Why?

4. What does a hydraulic system do? (What is its purpose?)

5. Name two advantages a hydraulic system has when compared to a pneumatic system. 6. Name six advantages a hydraulic system has when compared to an electric system.

Check Out Activities

7. Which method or methods of control would you consider best for the following machine applications? (Hydraulic, Pneumatic,
Electric)

A. Machine Press generating

_______________

B. 40,000 RPM drill used in dentists _______________ C. Constant speed conveyor. D. Operating airplane steering. _______________ _______________

8. Name two kinds of hydraulic actuators and describe the type of motion each produces. 9. What type of device is most often used in an industrial application to drive the pump of a hydraulic system?

Check Out Activities

10. Maximum fluid pressure is one of three quantities controlled in a hydraulic system. A relief valve is used to do this. Name two other quantities that are controlled in a hydraulic system and the device that controls each. 11. What do you think would happen to the hydraulic system if the cylinder or motor encountered a load it could not move? Would this be harmful? 12. What component holds excess oil? 13. What interconnects the components in a hydraulic system? 14. How is electrical power converted into hydraulic power? 15. Describe the operation of a basic hydraulic system.