KARPAGAM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, COIMBATORE-641032

BE/ MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SEMESTER : VII

15ME06 / APPLIED HYDRAULICS AND PNEUMATICS
CONTINUOUS INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: III
ANSWER KEY
DURATION : 1 ½ HOURS DATE : 18 .10.2019
MAXIMUM : 50 MARKS SESSION : FN
Answer All Questions PART- A (10 x 2 = 20 Marks)
1 What is the difference between a strainer and filter? CO4 K2
The primary difference between filters and strainers is in the size of the particulates they
are removing. In simpler terms the word “strainer” is typically used if the particulate
being removed is visible to the naked eye; whereas, if the particulate is too small to see
with the naked eye the term “filter” is used
2 Name the three types of positive displacement
compressors that are commonly used in industry CO4 K1
The three general types of compressors are positive displacement, centrifugal, and axial
3 Why should a lubricator be used in a pneumatic system? CO4 K2
They are designed to introduce oil as a vapour into a compressed air system. These
materials required oil lubrication in order to seal effectively and reduce friction. This is
why lubricators exist – to provide a consistent supply of oil to seals on valves and
cylinders
4 What is an F-R-L unit and give the graphic symbol of it? CO4 K1
Filter, regulator, and lubricator (FRL) compressed air systems are used to deliver clean
air, at a fixed pressure, and lubricated to ensure proper pneumatic component operation
and increase their operation lifetime.

5 Mention few advantages of air motor over electric

CO4 K1
motor.
The greatest advantage of an air motor vs electrical motor is the torque. An air
motor allows you to adjust the torque output depending on your needs. Air
motors feature a dynamically generated torque load. Electric motors get their power,
either, from an Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) motor
6 Define Fluidics in fluid power systems. CO5 K1
Fluidics, or fluidic logic, is the use of a fluid to perform analog or digital operations
similar to those performed with electronics. The physical basis of fluidics is pneumatics
and hydraulics, based on the theoretical foundation of fluid dynamics.
7 List the main advantage of hydro pneumatics. CO5 K1
 Their presence ensures that no heavy overhead water tanks are required on the top
of buildings.
 Specific hydro pneumatic system design can provide water at certain pressures
unlike a regular water supply system.
8 Write down the advantage of PLC over electro
CO5 K1
mechanical relays system.
Advantages of PLCs over Relay logic, PLCs are programmable. Many control relays can
be replaced by software, which means less hardware failure, It is easier to make changes in
software than in hardware. Special functions such as time delay actions, counters are easy
to produce in software.
9 Mention any two roles of pneumatic systems in low cost
CO5 K1
automation.
Pneumatics are generally used when much smaller loads are involved. A pneumatic
system generally uses an air compressor to reduce the volume of the air, thereby increasing
the pressure of the gas. The pressurized gas travels through pneumatic hoses and is
controlled by valves on the way to the actuator.
10 What is regenerative system in pneumatic circuits? CO5 K1
The regenerative circuit is used to increase the out-stroke speed of piston of a double -
acting cylinder. In this circuit, the fluid from the rod end of the cylinder regenerates with
the pump flow. Due to this volume of the fluid supplied to blind end of the cylinder is
greater than the pump flow rate.

Answer All Questions PART- B (2 x 15 = 30 Marks)

11 i) Explain the working of a pneumatic speed control 06 CO4 K2
circuit.
Pneumatic cylinders can be directly controlled by actuation of final directional
control valve as shown in fig. These valves can be controlled manually or
electrically. This circuit can be used for small cylinders as well as cylinders which
operates at low speeds where the flow rate requirements are less. When the
directional control valve is actuated by push button, the valve switches over to the
open position, communicating working source to the cylinder volume. This results in
the forward motion of the piston. When the push button is released, the reset spring
of the valve restores the valve to the initial position [closed]. The cylinder space is
connected to exhaust port there by piston retracts either due to spring or supply
pressure applied from the other port.

ii) Draw the neat sketch of the pneumatic filter and 06 CO4 K2
explain its construction and working.
 A pneumatic filter is a device which removes contaminants from a compressed
air stream. This can be done using a number of different techniques, from using a
"media" type that traps particulates, but allows air to pass through to a venturi, to a
membrane that only allows air to pass through Filter Can remove impurities from
compressed air before it is fed to the pneumatic components.
iii) Name the six basic components required in a 03 CO4 K1
pneumatic circuit
 Air Compressor
 Air Service Unit
 Pneumatic Pipes
 Control Valves
 Actuators
(OR)
12 i) Develop an pneumatic circuit for the following
sequence A+B+A-B- where A& B stand for 12 CO4 K3
cylinder (+) indicates extension and (-) indicates
retraction of cylinders.

ii) Mention few applications of air motors. 03 CO4 K1

A widespread application of pneumatic motors is in hand-held tools, impact
wrenches, pulse tools, screwdrivers, nut runners, drills, grinders, sanders and so
on. Pneumatic motors are also used stationary in a wide range of
industrial applications.

13 i) Explain the hydro mechanical servo system with a 09 CO5 K2

suitable application.
 A servo valve receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from a source, typically
a hydraulic pump. It then transfers the fluid to a hydraulic cylinder at a
pressure that is proportional to an electrical signal that it receives.
Most hydraulic control valves are binary, they are either on or off
ii) Name four fluid sensors that are used in fluid
power systems. 03 CO5 K1
a. Position Sensors
b. Pressure Sensors
c. Temperature Sensors
d. Velocity Sensors
iii) When do you use a flip-flop with start-up 03 CO5 K2
preference?
Application of the flip flop circuit mainly involves in bounce elimination switch,
data storage, data transfer, latch, registers, counters, frequency division, memory, etc
(OR)
14 i) Explain the elements of PLC with a block 06 CO5 K1
diagram.

PLC components:
 processor or central processing unit (CPU)
 rack or mounting
 input assembly
 output assembly
 power supply
 Programming unit, device, or PC/software.
 The input information is transfer to the processor through input
module and output information from the processor to load is transform
through output module. ... The simplified circuit and block diagram of input
modules is shown in fig. input modules perform four basic tasks
in PLC system.
ii) Enlist the various faults, probable causes and also
remedial action for the following pneumatic system 09 CO5 K2
components.
a) Compressor
b) FRL unit
c) Air Cylinder
a) Compressor
If the compressor is generating too much noise and vibration, it can be because of
the following reasons: Loose pulley, flywheel, belt, belt guard, cooler, clamps or
accessories. Lack of oil in the crankcase. Piston hitting the valve plate i.e reduced
 bumping clearance.
b) FRL unit
An FRL unit is comprised of a filter (F), regulator (R), and a lubricator (L). They are
often used as one unit to ensure clean air in a pneumatic system but can also be used
individually. Filters remove water, dirt and other harmful debris from an air system.
c) Air Cylinder
Side loading is the most common cause of pneumatic cylinder failure.These
problems include cylinder tube scoring, uneven or rapid piston rod and bearing wear,
and seal failure, to name a few. Side loading is primarily a result of how the
pneumatic cylinder is installed within the system it operates in

Course Coordinator HoD/Mech