FLUID POWER TECHNOLOGY

RADZI ABDUL RASIH

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING, UITMCPP
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Chapter 1
Introduction to Fluid Power

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Objectives
Defne the terms fuid power, hydraulic system, and
pneumatic system.
Explain the extent of fuid power use in current
society and provide several specifc examples.
List the advantages and disadvantages of fuid
power systems.
Discuss scientifc discoveries and applications
important to the historical development of the fuid
power industry.
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Defnition of Fluid Power

A fuid power system consists of a prime mover
turning a pump to pressurize a fuid, which is
transmitted through lines to an actuator that
performs work.

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Defnition of Fluid Power

Fluid power systems are generally grouped under
two broad classifcations:
Hydraulics
Pneumatics
Hydraulic systems generally use oil as the system
fuid, while pneumatic systems use air.

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Fluid Power Systems

Comparisons of hydraulic and pneumatic
systems may be done by analyzing:
Operating pressure
Accuracy of actuator movement
Actuator speed
Component weight
System cost

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Fluid Power Systems

Hydraulic systems are accurate, operate at high
pressures, are slow, and have strong
components.

(Brand X)

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Fluid Power Systems

Compared to hydraulic systems, pneumatic
systems:
Are less accurate
Are faster
Have components that are lighter in weight

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Fluid Power Systems

Advantages of both hydraulic and pneumatic
systems include easy control of:
Force
Torque
Speed
Direction of actuators

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History of Fluid Power

The natural movement
of air and water was
used in the earliest
applications of fuid
power.
Some industries still
use this natural
movement.

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Glowimages

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History of Fluid Power

Wind and watermills were used as prime movers
to provide power until well into the Industrial
Revolution, which occurred in the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries.

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History of Fluid Power

Early wind and watermills had very low power
outputs. The output was usually in the 3 to 5
horsepower range, with an output of 15
horsepower considered high.
Historians feel that many early
machines/devices were developed and operated
using empirical knowledge, rather than scientifc
theory.

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History of Fluid Power

Archimedes is credited with the discovery in the
third century BC of the principle of buoyancy.
This is one of the earliest recorded scientifc
theories.
Scientists such as Pascal, Boyle, Charles,
Reynolds, and others provided information that
served as a theoretical base for the use of fuids
in scientifc and industrial applications.

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History of Fluid Power

James Watt perfected the
steam engine, which
infuenced many aspects of
the Industrial Revolution
including fuid power
components and systems.

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Comstock

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History of Fluid Power

Accurate machining and the development of
efective sealing devices had a positive efect on the
early development of hydraulic presses.

Photo courtesy of Apple Rubber Products, Inc.

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History of Fluid Power

Compact, self-contained power units, which
contained the prime mover, pump, and reservoir,
were developed in the early 1900s.
These units had considerable infuence on the
development of fuid power as we know it today.

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History of Fluid Power

Self-contained power units

Continental Hydraulics

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Fluid Power Today

Fluid power
systems are used
extensively
throughout
business and
industry today.

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Glowimages
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Fluid Power Today

Few products are not infuenced in some way by
fuid power systems.

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Fluid Power Today

Fluid power in various forms is widely used in
everyday life.

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PhotoDisc

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Glossary
Actuator
A component used to convert the energy in
hydraulic fuid or compressed air into
mechanical linear or rotary motion.
Archimedes
The individual credited with the discovery of the
principle of buoyancy. The discovery was made
in the third century BC.
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Glossary
Boyle, Robert
A scientist of the 17th century identifed as one
of the frst to study the characteristics of gases.
Charles, Jacques
A French scientist of the late 18th and early 19th
centuries who is credited with developing a
scientifc law relating to the efect of
temperature on the volume of a gas.
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Glossary
Fluid power
The transferring, controlling, and converting of
energy using hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Hydraulics
The study and technical application of liquids in
motion, especially oils and other blended liquids
used in industrial systems.

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Glossary
Pascal, Blaise
A scientist of the early 17th century who is
credited with producing proof of many basic
fuid principles.
Pneumatics
The study and technical application of air or
other gas in motion.

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Glossary
Pump
A hydraulic component turned by the prime
mover that produces fuid fow, which transmits
energy through the system.

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Glossary
Reynolds, Osborne
A scientist of the late 1800s who did extensive
development work in the fuid mechanics area.
Reynolds is credited with identifcation of the
principles of laminar and turbulent fow.

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Glossary
Watt, James
An inventor of the late 18th century who
extensively contributed to growth during the
Industrial Revolution. Watt is typically
identifed as the inventor of the frst practical
steam engine.

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