Introduction
In industry we use three methods to transmit energy from one point to another. Mechanical transmission occurs through shafts, gears, chains, belts, etc. Electrical transmission occurs through wires, transformers, etc. Fluid energy occurs through liquids or gases in a confined space. In this chapter, we will discuss a structure of hydraulic systems and pneumatic systems. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages and compare hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical systems.
See more information:
Introduction to Hydraulic Circuit (System) and Application/Advantages/Disadvantages
Introduction to pneumatic system and components used in pneumatic system
hydraulic cutting machineFluid power applications can be classified into two main segments:
Stationary hydraulics:
Stationary hydraulic systems remain firmly fixed in one position. The characteristic of stationary hydraulics is that the valves are mainly solenoid operated.
The applications of stationary hydraulics are as follows:
- Production and assembly of vehicles of all types.
- Machine tools and transfer lines.
- Lifting and transport devices.
- Metal forming presses.
- Plastic machines such as injection molding machines.
- Rolling machines.
- Elevators.
- Food processing machines.
- Automatic handling equipment and robots.
Mobile hydraulics:
Mobile hydraulic systems move on wheels or rails, like a tower crane or excavator truck, to operate in many different locations or while moving. A feature of mobile hydraulics is that the valves are often operated manually. The applications of mobile hydraulics are as follows:
- Cars, tractors, planes, missiles, boats, etc.
- Construction machines.
- Tippers, excavators and lifting platforms.
- Lifting and transport devices.
- Agricultural machinery.
Hydraulics and pneumatics have almost unlimited application in the production of goods and services in almost all sectors of the country. Various industries depend on the capabilities that fluid energy offers. The table summarizes some fluid energy applications.
More Fluid Energy Applications
Agriculture – Tractors; agricultural equipment such as lawn mowers, plows, chemical and water sprayers, fertilizer spreaders, harvesters Automation Automated transfer lines, robotics
Automobiles – Power steering, power brakes, suspension systems, hydrostatic transmission
Aviation- Fluid power equipment such as landing wheels on aircraft. Helicopters, aircraft carts, aircraft test benches, baggage loading and unloading systems, ailerons, aircraft maintenance, flight simulators
Industry/construction equipment – For dosing and mixing concrete tillers, excavators,
elevators, bucket loaders, crawlers, excavators, graders, road cleaners, road maintenance vehicles, dump trucks
Defense – Missile launch systems, navigation controls.
Manufacturing Industry – Hand tools such as pneumatic drills, grinders, drills, riveters, nutrunners
Food and beverage – All types of food processing, packaging, bottling,
Foundry – Complete and semi-automatic molding machines, furnace tippers, pressure casting machines
Glass industry – Vacuum suction cups for handling
Hazardous gas areas – Hydraulic fracturing technologies: Involves pumping large volumes of water and sand into a well at high pressure to fracture shale and other compact formations, allowing dangerous oil and gas to flow into the well. However, hydraulic fracturing has serious environmental and water pollution problems.
Instrumentation – Used to create/operate complex instruments in space rockets, gas turbines, nuclear power plants, industrial laboratories
Jigs and accessories – Work holding devices, clamps, stops, indexers
Machine tools – Automated machine tools, numerically controlled (NC) machine tools
Material handling – Jacks, hoists, cranes, forklifts, conveyor systems
Medical – Medical equipment such as respiratory assistants, cardiac assist devices, cardiac compression machines, dental units and human patient simulator
Movies – Special effects equipment uses fluid energy; films like Jurassic Park, Jaws, Anaconda, Titanic
Mining- Drills, digging equipment, ore transporters, loaders.
Press Tools – Heavy-duty presses for bulk metal forming, such as sheet metal, forging, bending, punching, etc.
Graphics industry – For paper feeding, packaging
Robots – Robots operated by fluid energy, pneumatic systems
Ships – Stabilization systems, unloading and loading units, gyroscopic instruments, movement of flat shapes, elevators, underwater inspection equipment
Textiles – Web tensioning devices, trolleys, process controllers Transport Hydraulic lifts, winches, suspended trams
Under the sea - Submarines, underwater research vehicles, marine drives and ship control
Woodworking- Tree cutters, handling huge logs, power clamping and sawing operations
