review and summary

REVIEW AND SUMMARY

• In this chapter, the concept, advantages, drawbacks, applications, and components of the fluid power system are presented.

• Fluid power may be defined as the technology that deals with the generation, control, and transmission of power using pressurized fluids.

• The term 'fluid power' is the general term used for hydraulics and pneumatics.

• The hydraulic system employs liquids (such as water, petroleum oils, and synthetic oils) as the fluid medium.

• The pneumatic system employs gas (most commonly compressed air) as the fluid medium.

• There are two different types of fluid systems: 1. Fluid transport, and 2. Fluid power.

• The objective of the fluid transport system is to transport/deliver fluids from one place to another place to achieve some useful purpose.

• The fluid power systems use pressurized fluids to produce some useful mechanical movements to accomplish the desired work.

• The three basic methods of transmitting power are:

1. Electrical power transmission – Suitable for long distances.

2. Mechanical power transmission – Suitable for over relatively short distances.

3. Fluid power transmission - Suitable for over intermediate distances.

• The fluid power is considered as the muscle of automation because it offers many advantages such as: 1. Ease, and accuracy of control; 2. Multiplication of force; 3. Constant force or torque; and 4. Simplicity, safety, economy.

• The applications of fluid power are found in almost all fields. The various fields of application of fluid power include manufacturing industry, automobile industry, agriculture, naval industry, aviation and aerospace industry, mechatronics field, and material handling field.

• The two main types of fluid power systems are :

1. Hydraulic power system, and 2. Pneumatic power system.

• Basic components of a hydraulic system are :

1. Reservoir (or tank),

2. Pump,

3. Prime mover,

4. Valves,

5. Actuator, and

6. Fluid-transfer piping.

• Basic components of a pneumatic system are :

1. Reservoir (or air tank),

2. Compressor,

3. Prime mover,

4. Valves,

5. Actuator, and

6. Fluid-transfer piping.

• The working of basic hydraulic and pneumatic systems are explained with the illustration for the task of moving a weight by a height.

• At the end of the chapter, the hydraulic, pneumatic, and electro-mechanical power systems are compared and contrasted.

KEY TERMS ONE SHOULD REMEMBER

Fluid

Fluid power

Fluid system

Fluid transport system

Fluid power system

Power transmission methods

Electrical power transmission 

Mechanical power transmission

Fluid power transmission

Hydraulic power system

Pneumatic power system

Reservoir

Pump

Prime mover

Valve

Actuator

Hydraulic cylinder Hydraulic motor

Fluid-transfer piping

Pressure regulator

Filter

Control valve 

FRL unit 

Compressor 

Pressure switch