OBJECTIVE: To familiarize with hydraulic power transmission system.

INTRODUCTION

A basic hydraulic circuit consists of a power supply, pump, reservoir, relief valve
and a control valve.

Basic hydraulic power units can have specific control valves and activators to
properly control hydraulic devices. Examples: Single or Double Acting Hydraulic
Cylinders, Hydraulic Motors or to send fluid and pressure to a remote location.

Custom designing a hydraulic circuit is to specifically build the complete circuit to

satisfy all the requirements of the power unit.

Basic components of Hydraulic Power Transmission Systems

Basic components of a hydraulic power transmission system consists of a pump to
convert mechanical energy to hydraulic energy, power source such as electric motor to
drive the pump, tank to store and handle the hydraulic oil, pipes to contain and conduct
oil, linear and/or rotary actuators to convert hydraulic energy to mechanical energy to do
work, valves to vary the magnitude and direction of flow and/or pressure to a hydraulic
actuator, and other auxiliary devices such as filters, accumulator, heat exchanger,
dehumidifier, etc.
Hydraulic pumps
A hydraulic pump is a mechanical device
that converts mechanical power into
hydraulic energy. It generates flow with
enough power to overcome pressure
induced by the load.

Hydraulic Actuators
A hydraulic actuator consists of a cylinder or fluid motor that uses hydraulic power to
facilitate mechanical operation. The mechanical motion gives an output in terms of linear,
rotary or oscillatory motion. Because liquid is nearly incompressible, a hydraulic actuator
can exert considerable force, but is limited in acceleration and speed.
The hydraulic cylinder consists of a hollow cylindrical tube along which a piston can slide.
The term double acting is used when pressure is applied on each side of the piston. A

difference in pressure between the two side of the piston results in motion of piston to
either side. The term single acting is used when the fluid pressure is applied to just one
side of the piston. The piston can move in only one direction, a spring being frequently
used to give the piston a return stroke.
Power Source
Converts primary energy to mechanical energy to
drive pumps

Controllers (Valves)

Used to vary the magnitude and direction of flow and/or pressure to a hydraulic actuator.
There are three categories of valves.

Directional control valves

Flow control valves
Pressure control valves

Tank or reservoirs
Used to store and handle the fluid.
Strainers and Filters
To reduce the level of dirt in the fluid. They are usually located near to or in system
reservoir. A filter is a device that retains, by some porous medium, insoluble contaminants
from a fluid. A strainer is a device that removes coarse contamination from a hydraulic
fluid.
Heat exchangers
To control the temperature of the working fluid. Temperature regulation of hydraulic
fluid is important in maintaining narrow limits to viscosity changes and leakage.
Accumulators
To store fluid under pressure and to release again as required and to reduce
pressure shocks in a system.
Fluid Conductors
Interconnects various components of a system. Types of conductors
a) Rigid
b) Semi rigid
c) Flexible

DISCUSSION

Hydraulic systems
A device that converts the energy from liquid flow into mechanical motion. A hydraulic
motor is a type of fluid motor. A power transmission system that uses the force of flowing
liquids to transmit power.
Hydraulic systems work because of Pascal's law, which states that an increase of
pressure in any part of a confined fluid causes an equal increase of pressure throughout
the container. If you apply a force to one part of a hydraulic system, it travels through the
hydraulic fluid to the rest of the system.
Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid to accomplish work with only a small amount of
force. Braking and steering systems, agricultural equipment and industrial machinery
often employ hydraulic systems.

Pneumatic systems
A pneumatic system is a system that uses compressed air to transmit and control
energy. Pneumatic systems are used in controlling train doors, automatic production
lines, mechanical clamps, etc.
Pneumatic systems are being widely used in industrial automation mainly due to its
simplicity in installation and maintenance, fast operation, environmental friendliness
even in case of leakage, low operational and maintenance cost etc.
In pneumatic systems compressed air is produced in a compressor and stored in a
receiver. From here it is routed to values which control the direction of the fluid flow, flow
control valves which control the amount of power produced by the cylinders which
convert the potential energy of the compressed air into kinetic energy at the output.
Practical applications of hydraulic systems
Metal cutting machine tools
Metal forming machinery
Conveyor systems
Component test stands
Foundries and primary metals plants
Presses, including cushions, clutches & brakes
Automated assembly systems
Car washes
Packaging systems
Pulp and paper industries
Grinding and honing applications
Plastic injection and blow molding
R & D test facilities
Plant central systems
Material handling and robotic systems

Practical applications of pneumatic systems

Automation equipment
Packaging machinery
Food and beverage industries
Metal-cutting and forming machine tools
Car washes
Test systems
Medical equipment
Plastics machinery
Petroleum markets
Entertainment
Chemical handling
Assembly systems
Coolant systems
Process industries
Pharmaceuticals
Material handling
Special machinery
Advantages of hydraulic systems
Hydraulic systems allow users to accurately wield large amounts of power
with little input force. They also provide constant force, according to the
National Fluid Power Association. In addition, hydraulic systems are safe in

chemical plants and mines because they do not cause sparks.

It uses 'incompressible' fluid which results in a greater, more efficient &
consistent work or power output. This is due to the fact that hydraulic fluid
molecules are able to resist compression under heavy load hence minimal
energy loss is experienced and work applied is directly transferred to the

actuating surfaces.
As opposed to pneumatic system which uses air, a leakage in a hydraulic

system is easier to spot during ground maintenance operations.

Hydraulic fluid operates very well in a very hot working environment, it is able
to sustain its airworthiness viscosity, density & fluid temperature even if it
subjected under extreme heat. This is specially important on aircraft
structures that is abundant of hot working conditions during flight operations.

Disadvantages of hydraulic systems

Hydraulic fluid is highly corrosive to most of the aircraft materials.
Due to the heavy loads experienced in a typical hydraulic system, structural
integrity is a must which also means higher structural weight for the aircraft in

addition to the weight of its hydraulic lines, pumps, reservoirs, filters, & etc.
Hydraulic system is susceptible to contaminations & foreign object damage
(FOD).

Mishandling and constant exposure to hydraulic fluid and its gas fumes

without proper equipment and precautions is a health risk.

If disposed improperly, a hydraulic fluid is an environmental risk.

Advantages of pneumatic systems

Pneumatic control systems are widely used in our society, especially in the industrial
sectors for the driving of automatic machines. Pneumatic systems have a lot of
advantages.

High effectiveness
Many factories have equipped their production lines with compressed air supplies
and movable compressors. There is an unlimited supply of air in our atmosphere
to produce compressed air.
Moreover, the use of compressed air is not restricted by distance, as it can easily
be transported through pipes. After use, compressed air can be released directly

into the atmosphere without the need of processing.

High durability and reliability
Pneumatic components are extremely durable and cannot be damaged easily.
Compared to electromotive components, pneumatic components are more

durable and reliable.

Simple design
The designs of pneumatic components are relatively simple. They are thus more

suitable for use in simple automatic control systems.

High adaptability to harsh environment
Compared to the elements of other systems, compressed air is less affected by

high temperature, dust, corrosion, etc.

Safety
Pneumatic systems are safer than electromotive systems because they can work
in inflammable environment without causing fire or explosion. Apart from that,
overloading in pneumatic system will only lead to sliding or cessation of
operation. Unlike electromotive components, pneumatic components do not burn

or get overheated when overloaded.

Easy selection of speed and pressure
The speeds of rectilinear and oscillating movement of pneumatic systems are
easy to adjust and subject to few limitations. The pressure and the volume of air

can easily be adjusted by a pressure regulator.

Environmental friendly
The operation of pneumatic systems do not produce pollutants. The air released
is also processed in special ways. Therefore, pneumatic systems can work in
environments that demand high level of cleanliness. One example is the

production lines of integrated circuits.

Economical

As pneumatic components are not expensive, the costs of pneumatic systems are
quite low.
Moreover, as pneumatic systems are very durable, the cost of repair is significantly lower
than that of other systems.
Disadvantages of pneumatic systems

Relatively low accuracy

As pneumatic systems are powered by the force provided by compressed air, their
operation is subject to the volume of the compressed air. As the volume of air may
change when compressed or heated, the supply of air to the system may not be

accurate, causing a decrease in the overall accuracy of the system.

Low loading
As the cylinders of pneumatic components are not very large, a pneumatic system

cannot drive loads that are too heavy.

Processing required before use
Compressed air must be processed before use to ensure the absence of water
vapor or dust.
Otherwise, the moving parts of the pneumatic components may wear out quickly
due to friction.

Uneven moving speed

As air can easily be compressed, the moving speeds of the pistons are relatively
uneven.
Noise
Noise will be produced when compressed air is released from the pneumatic
components.
Low working pressure compared with the hydraulic systems due to the tightness
problems and compressor design (within 10 bar for industrial systems and more

than 200 bar for aerospace systems).

Difficulty of holding pneumatic actuators at intermediate positions.
The variation of pressure in air reservoirs with temperature.
Danger of explosion.

REFERENCES
http://hydraulicspneumatics.com
http://science.howstuffworks.com
http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Hydraulic_Systems
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-compressor-types-d_441.html