Introduction to Fluid Power
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This sample chapter is for review purposes only. Copyright © The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 1 Introduction to Fluid Power The Fluid Power Field Since the beginning of time, long before written history, humankind has searched for ways to conveniently transmit energy from its source to where it is needed and then convert the energy into a useful form to do work. This chapter introduces the fluid power field as an approach that provides an effective means of transferring, controlling, and converting energy. Selected Key Terms Internet Resources The following names and terms will be used in www.ideafi nder.com/history/inventors/watt.htm Objectives this chapter. As you read the text, record the mean- The Great Idea Finder After completing this chapter, you will be able to: ing and importance of each. Additionally, you may Provides information on James Watt and other inventors ■ use other sources, such as manufacturer literature, who made major contributions to industrial development Define the terms fluid power, hydraulic system, and pneumatic system. during the Industrial Revolution. ■ an encyclopedia, or the Internet, to obtain more Explain the extent of fluid power use in current society and provide information. www.island-of-freedom.com/pascal.htm several specific examples. actuator Island of Freedom ■ List the advantages and disadvantages of fluid power systems. Archimedes Provides details of the contributions of Blaise Pascal and others to science, mathematics, and philosophy. ■ Discuss scientific discoveries and applications important to the historical Bernoulli, Daniel www.nfpa.com development of the fluid power industry. Boyle, Robert Bramah, Joseph National Fluid Power Association Charles, Jacques A good overall review of the basic aspects of fluid power systems. Go to the Our Industry section of the site. compact hydraulic unit cup seal http://library.thinkquest.org/3044 da Vinci, Leonardo Oracle Education Foundation fluid compressibility Provides insight into Leonardo da Vinci as an artist and inventor. fluid power Hero www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hydraulic hydraulic www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pneumatic hydraulic accumulator Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia laminar Include information on history and operation of hydraulic and pneumatic power-transmission systems. Additional Pascal, Blaise sites are listed that can provide information on specific fluid pneumatic power system elements. pump Reynolds, Osborne Torricelli, Evangelista von Guericke, Otto water screw waterwheel Watt, James windmill 15 16 Fluid Power Chapter 1 Introduction to Fluid Power 17 (source) to an actuator that completes the task Modern farm equipment uses hydraulics exten- Definition of Fluid Power (work) required of the system. sively. These uses range from simple hydraulic cyl- Fluid power systems use the prime mover to inders that raise and lower implements to complex The basis of fluid power is pressurized fluids. drive a pump that pressurizes a fluid, which is then devices that maintain clearances, adjust torque, These fluids may be either liquids or gases. The transferred through pipes and hoses to an actua- and provide easy control of speed and direction fluids are incorporated into physical hardware tor, Figure 1-2. Mechanical systems transfer power on tractors and a variety of specialized planting, systems that generate, transmit, and control power from the prime mover to the point of use by means harvesting, and processing equipment. in a wide variety of consumer and industrial appli- of shafts, belts, gears, or other devices. Electrical Fluid power is used in some form in all modern cations. Today, it would be difficult to identify a systems transfer power using electrical current transportation systems designed to move people product that has not been affected by fluid power flowing through conductors. Typical applications and products. These uses range from automobiles at some point along the route from raw material to in business, industrial, and consumer products to complex, wide-body aircraft found on inter- final installation. and systems use combinations of fluid, mechani- national flights. Specific examples of the applica- Fluid power systems are versatile contributors cal, and electrical power transfer methods. tion of fluid power principles include hydraulic to industry. Applications range from brute force and pneumatic braking systems, power-assisted needed in heavy industry to the sensitive position- steering found on most forms of wheeled vehicles, ing of parts in precision machining operations, hydrostatic transmissions that provide almost Figure 1-1. The systems are generally grouped Fluid Power Industry unlimited speed and torque control, and suspen- under the two broad classifications of pneumatic sion systems that use hydraulic and/or pneumatic and hydraulic. Pneumatic systems use gas, usu- The fluid power industry is a complex entity. Figure 1-3. The service of fl uid power systems in dampening. ally air, while hydraulic systems use liquids, usu- It includes education, design and manufacture of business and industry provides employment for The construction industry is a very diverse ally oil. Other fluids are often used in special components, design and assembly of systems using many highly trained individuals. industry. Construction activities include the applications. those parts, and troubleshooting and maintenance (Photo: Atlas Copco) building of residences and all types of commer- Fluid power is one of the three types of power needed to keep the systems performing efficiently, cial structures, roads and highways, irrigation transfer systems commonly used today. The other Figure 1-3. In addition, a complex sales and distri- systems, harbor facilities, and a wide variety of systems are mechanical and electrical. Each of bution system assures users access to replacement other construction-related activities. The industry the systems transfers power from a prime mover components and information concerning service, Growth of the fluid power industry has makes use of many types of earth-moving equip- new and improved component designs, and new required a parallel growth in the number of peo- ment, material-handling equipment, and special- system applications. ple who understand and can work effectively with ized fastening and finishing devices. Examples of fluid power systems. These people range from typical applications that make use of fluid power engineers responsible for designing the compo- include: backhoes for excavation; cranes for mov- nents to mechanics responsible for maintenance ing, lifting, and positioning materials; vibrators and repair of fluid power equipment. The type of for consolidating concrete after it has been placed; education and training available to prepare these and nail-driving apparatuses. people varies considerably. Formally organized Manufacturing organizations extensively programs exist in two-year technical and com- rely on fluid power. Applications range from munity colleges, four-year universities, and in huge presses in automobile body fabrication programs offered by component manufacturers. plants, which form body panels, to packaging Many individuals seek fluid power training after equipment for miniature parts in electrical com- exposure to the field through their jobs. ponent manufacturing operations. These appli- The fluid power industry is a broad field and a cations use hydraulics and pneumatics to make key contributor to the success of many businesses the equipment operate as needed. Required and industries. Fluid power is extensively used characteristics range from huge forces to draw in manufacturing, construction, transportation, metal into desired shapes, to a gentle nudge agriculture, mining, military operations, health, accurately positioning a part for machining, to and even recreation. The list is almost endless. the deliberate movement of sanders performing Applications vary and components have different a final finish sanding. Fluid power can easily Figure 1-1. Equipment used in construction and appearances in the various applications. System provide each of these characteristics. In many street maintenance is an example of a fl uid power sizes range from miniature to massive, but fluid installations, the desired results can be obtained application commonly encountered in daily life. This Figure 1-2. Many consumer items make use of fl uid power principles provide the needed power, force, using off-the-shelf equipment. In many other backhoe is capable of producing the brute force power in their operation. This garden tractor has a and control. situations, standard components may be used needed to break and move concrete. hydrostatic transmission. (Used with permission of Fluid power has been a key contributing factor in to assemble circuits and systems to produce the (Deere & Company) CNH America LLC) the development of current agricultural equipment. desired result, Figure 1-4. 18 Fluid Power Chapter 1 Introduction to Fluid Power 19 civilian commercial applications, but others are is further complicated by the inherent differences Component weight highly specialized and are not directly duplicated of the two major divisions of the fluid power field: System operating pressure affects the struc- in commercial applications. Hundreds of applica- hydraulics and pneumatics. ture of components. Hydraulic systems operate tions exist, ranging from power-assisted steering at higher pressures, requiring the use of stronger of land vehicles to the precision