Basic Hydraulic Concepts

Myounggyu Noh
Dept. Mechatronics Engineering
Chungnam National University

Spring Semester, 2004

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Objectives of the Lecture

• Difference between hydrostatics and hydrodynamics

• Pascal’s Law and its significance

• Advantages and disadvantages of hydraulic fluid power

• Pressure-force-area relationship

• Definitions of work, power, and horsepower

• Basic concept of a fluid power system

• Definitions of input, hydraulic and output horsepower

• Continuity equation

Basic Concepts
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Hydrodynamics versus Hydrostatics

Two ways of trasmitting fluid energy

1. Hydrodynamic: the kinetic or the impact of the moving fluid is converted to

mechanical energy.

2. Hydrostatic: energy is transferred through a confined fluid by the pressure that is

created by the application of a force to that confined fluid.

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Pascal’s Law
Pressure exerted on a confined liquid at rest is transmitted equally in all directions, is the
same at any point in the liquid, and acts at right angles to the surfaces of the container
F

1. Pascal’s law is valid irrespective of the shape of the vessel

2. Any change in the exerted pressure is seen almost instantly throughout the liquid.
3. Fluid in a system can be as rigid as steel for the transmission of power

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Advantages of Hydraulic Power Systems

1. Provide high levels of readily regulated torque and force
2. Offer infinitely variable linear or rotary speed over a wide range
3. Instantly reversible
4. Can be stalled without damage
5. High power output is possible
6. High accuracy and extreme stiffness
7. Possible to be automated without electronics
8. Fully adaptable to electrical or electronic controls
9. Provide cushioning to reduce the effects of impact or shoch loads
10. The fluid itself provides lubrication

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Disadvantages of Hydraulic Power Systems

1. Hazards exist due to high-pressure
2. Fluids are flammable
3. Leakage is possible
4. Adequate filtration is necessary

Hydraulics are ideal for applications requiring high forces for heavy loads, long stroke
linear motion, rigidity and accuracy with heavy loads, high-stall torque, etc.

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Press–Force–Area Relationship
Pressure is defined as
Force
Pressure =
Area
or
F
p=
A
Several conversion factors for pressure

• 1 psi = 6895 Pa = 6.895 kPa

• 1 bar = 14.5 psi = 100 kPa

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Multiplication of Force
FA FB

AA AB

2
AB DB
FB = FA × , FB = FA × 2
AA DA

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Hydraulic Jack

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Work and Power

Work is defined as a force acting over a distance.

W =F × d

With reasonable accuracy (if losses are negligible), Win = Wout.

FA × d A = FB × d B

Definition of Power:
Work
Power =
Unit Time
W F ×d
p= = =F ×v
t t
Conversion Factor: 1 HP = 550 ft·lb/sec = 33,000 ft·lb/min = 0.746 kW.

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James Watt’s Experiment

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Fluid Power Systems

Pressure
Control

Prime Hydraulic Flow Actuator Load

Mover Pump Control

Directional
Control

Power Input Control Power Output

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Input Power
Input power: power transmitted from the prime mover to the hydraulic pump. A function
of the torque and the rotational speed of the input device.

T (lb·in) × 2πN (rev/min)(ft/12in)

IHP =
(60 sec/min) × (550 ft·lb/sec/HP)
T ×N
IHP =
63, 025
In SI units,
T ×N
PIN =
9550
where P is in kW, T in N·m, and N in rpm.

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Hydraulic Power
Hydraulic horsepower: power output from a pump.

Pressure (psi) × Flow Rate (gpm)

Hydraulic Horsepower =
1714

p×Q
HHP =
1714
In SI units
p×Q
PHY D =
60, 000
where p in kPa, Q in liters per minute (Lpm), and PHY D in kW.

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Fluid Flow
Fluid power systems are generally considered to be neither fluid sources nor fluid sinks
as far as fluid flow through piping is concerned.
To determine the flow rate at any given point,

Flow Rate(Q) = Pipe Area(A) × Fluid Velocity(v)

Flow rate in USCS is gallons per minute (gpm)

Conversion factor: 1gallon = 231 in3.

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Continuity Equation
Continuity equation states that the fluid flow rate remains constant through a given
portion of a cicuit.
Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = . . .
A1v1 = A2v2 = A3v3 = . . .

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Basic Concepts