Experiment No.

Study of Fluid Power Control Systems

Introduction:
Fluid Power is the technology that deals with the generation, control, and transmission of
power, using pressurized fluids. Fluid power is called hydraulics when the fluid is a liquid and
is called pneumatics when the fluid is a gas. Hydraulic systems use liquids such as petroleum
oils, synthetic oils, and water. Pneumatic systems use air as the gas medium because air is very
abundant and can be readily exhausted into the atmosphere after completing its assigned task.

Pascal’s Law:

Pascal’s law reveals the basic principle of how fluid power systems perform useful work. This
law can be stated as follows:

Pascal's law states that when there is an increase in pressure at any point in a confined fluid,
there is an equal increase at every other point in the container.

The above figure shows how Pascal’s law can be applied to produce a useful amplified output
force. Consider an input force of 10N is applied to a 1-m2 area piston. This develops a 10N/m2
pressure throughout the oil within the housing. This 10N/m2 pressure acts on a 10-m2 area
piston producing a 100N output force. This output force performs useful work as it lifts the
100N weight

Transmission of Power at Static and Dynamic States:

A hydrostatic system uses fluid pressure to transmit power. Hydrostatics deals with the
mechanics of still fluids and uses the theory of equilibrium conditions in fluid. The system
creates high pressure, and through a transmission line and a control element, this pressure
drives an actuator (linear or rotational). The pump used in hydrostatic systems is a positive
displacement pump. An example of pure hydrostatics is the transfer of force in hydraulics.

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

Hydrodynamic systems use fluid motion to transmit power. Power is transmitted by the
kinetic energy of the fluid. Hydrodynamics deals with the mechanics of moving fluid and uses
flow theory. The pump used in hydrodynamic systems is a non-positive displacement pump.
An example of pure hydrodynamics is the conversion of flow energy in turbines in
hydroelectric power plants. In oil hydraulics, we deal mostly with the fluid working in a
confined system, that is, a hydrostatic system

Types of Fluid Power System

The Fluid power system is divided in to two types. They are hydraulic and pneumatic system
depends upon the fluid medium used to transmit force.

1. The hydraulic fluid power system employs liquid (like as water, petroleum oils and
synthetic oils) as fluid medium.
2. The pneumatic fluid power system employs gas (Compressed Air) as the fluid medium.

Figure 1. Hydraulic Systems

Hydraulic System:
A hydraulic system is a drive technology where a fluid is used to move the energy from one
place to other e.g. an electric motor to an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder. The fluid is
theoretically uncompressible and the fluid path can be flexible in the same way as an electric
cable.
Components of a Fluid Power System:
There are six basic components required in a hydraulic system:
1) A tank (reservoir) to hold the hydraulic oil.
2) A pump to force the oil through the system.
3) An electric motor or other power source to drive the pump.

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

4) Valves to control oil direction, pressure, and flow rate.
5) An actuator to convert the pressure of the oil into mechanical force to do the useful work.
6) Piping to carry the oil from one location to the other.

Pneumatic System:
Pneumatic technology deals with the study of behaviour and applications of Compressed air in
our daily life in general and manufacturing automation in particular. Pneumatic systems use air
as the medium which is abundantly available and can be exhausted into the atmosphere after
completion of the assigned task.

Figure 1. Pneumatic Systems

Pneumatic systems have components that are similar to those used in hydraulic systems.
1) An air tank to store a given volume of compressed air.
2) A compressor to compress the air that comes directly from the atmosphere.
3) An electric motor or other prime mover to drive the compressor.
4) Valves to control air direction, pressure and flow rate.
5) Actuators, which are similar in operation to hydraulic actuators.
6) Piping to carry the pressurized air from one location to another

Advantages of Fluid Power System:

The advantages of a fluid power system are as follows:

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

1) Fluid power systems are simple, easy to operate and can be controlled accurately: Fluid
power gives flexibility to equipment without requiring a complex mechanism. Using fluid
power, we can start, stop, accelerate, decelerate, reverse or position large forces/components
with great accuracy using simple levers and push buttons.

2) Multiplication and variation of forces: Linear or rotary force can be multiplied by a

fraction of a kilogram to several hundreds of tons.

3) Multifunction control: A single hydraulic pump or air compressor can provide power and
control for numerous machines using valve manifolds and distribution systems.
4) Low-speed torque: Unlike electric motors, air or hydraulic motors can produce a large
amount of torque while operating at low speeds.

5) Constant force or torque: Fluid power systems can deliver constant torque or force
regardless of speed changes.

6) Economical: Not only reduction in required manpower but also the production or
elimination of operator fatigue, as a production factor, is an important element in the use of
fluid power.

7) Low weight to power ratio: The hydraulic system has a low weight to power ratio compared
to electromechanical systems. Fluid power systems are compact.

8) Fluid power systems can be used where safety is of vital importance: Safety is of vital
importance in air and space travel, in the production and operation of motor vehicles, in mining
and manufacture of delicate products.

Disadvantages of Fluid Power System:

1) Cost of manufacturing of fluid power system is high.

2) Hydraulic Elements have to be specially treated to protect them against rust, corrosion, dirt,
etc.
3) Hydraulic oil may pose problems if it disintegrates due to aging and chemical deterioration.

4) Air is a compressible gas, which makes control and speed in a pneumatic system more
difficult, in comparison to electric or hydraulic systems. When specific speeds are needed,
additional devices have to be attached to the pneumatic system in order to procure the desired
result.

5) Pneumatic systems are less durable that hydraulic counterparts. Due to moisture
accumulation the system can freeze up.

6) Pipes that feed the system air have the ability to move on uncontrollably on their own, which
could cause serious injuries to those nearby

7) Devices are known to fail over long periods of time due to the dampening of inside edges in
the tubes. Additionally, systems cannot operate underwater and are sensitive to changing
temperatures and vibrations

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

 8) Pneumatic systems are the loudest type of designs that power machines. Actuators that run
the system are the source of the noise and are sometimes placed in a separate room to limit
sound pollution.

Symbols of Hydraulic & Pneumatic Components

Sr. No. Name of Symbol Illustration Use
It is made as solid line
which indicates a
hydraulic pipe, tube, hose,
1. Working Line
or other conductor
carrying the fluid between
the components.
It is given by short dashes
which indicates drain lines.
Relieve any excess
2. Drain Line
pressure and drain it back
to your return line, then
into the reservoir.
It is given by long dashes
3. Pilot Line which indicates control
lines.
It is made a solid, arced
line which is drawn
4. Flexible Line between two dots which
represents a flexible line
in the system.

It represents crossing of
5. Line Passing
the two working lines.

It represents connection of
6. Connected Lines
the two working lines.
It represents reservoir
7. Vented Reservoir
open to the atmosphere
It represents closed/
8. Closed Reservoir
pressurize reservoir
Reservoir (Line
It represents main line
9. Terminal Below
terminal below fluid level
Fluid level)
Reservoir (Line
It represents main line
10. Terminal above Fluid
terminal above fluid level
level)
Used to indicate
11. Temperature Gauge
temperature of Fluid

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

 Used to indicate pressure
12. Pressure Gauge
of Fluid
Used to indicate flow of a
13. Flow Meter
Fluid.

14. Filter/Strainer Used to filter a Fluid.

Used to indicate heating

15. Heater
of a Fluid.

Used to Cooling of a
16. Cooler
Fluid.

Used to ensure the

17. Pressure Switch reservoir level remains
stable.

Used as prime mover of

18. Electric Motor
Fluid power system.
Pumps
This pump is used to
Fixed Displacement
19. deliver fixed volume of
Pump
hydraulic oil.

This pump allow to vary

Variable
20. volume of hydraulic oil
Displacement Pump
delivered.
This pump is used to
Bi-Directional Fixed deliver fixed volume of
21.
Displacement Pump hydraulic oil in both
direction.
Valves

It allows fluid to move in

22. Check Valve
one direction only.

It allows fluid to move in

Pilot Operated Check
23. one direction only and
Valve
operated by external force.

Direction Control This give direction to fluid

24. Valve (normally (here it is in closed
Closed) position)

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

 Direction Control This give direction to fluid
25. Valve (normally (here it is in open
Open) position)

Used to relieve pressure in

26. Pressure Relief Valve
fluid working line.

Pressure Reducing Used to regulate pressure

27.
Valve in fluid working line.

Used to operate actuators

28. Sequencing Valve
in sequence.

Relieving the extra

pressure in a system, that
is at low pressure and
29. Unloading Valve
connecting it to the tank
when the delivery of the
pump is not used.
Used to allow fixed
30. Flow Control Valve
amount of fluid.

Variable Flow Used to allow variable

31.
Control Valve amount of fluid.

Used to allow variable

Flow Control Valve
32. amount of fluid in one
with Check Valve
direction only.
Used to allow variable
Pressure compensated
33. amount of fluid with
Flow Control Valve
pressure compensation.
Pressure and Used to allow variable
Temperature amount of fluid with
34.
compensated Flow pressure & temperature
Control Valve compensation.
Direction Control Valves Actuation Types

Push button and Lever are

35. Manually Actuation
used to operate DCV.

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 Spring, Roller Lever and
36. Mechanical Actuation Foot Pedal are used to
operate DCV.

Solenoid is used to
37. Electrical Actuation
operate DCV

Compressed air is used to

38. Pneumatic Actuation
operate DCV
Pressurized oil is used to
39. Hydraulic Actuation
operate DCV
Direction Control Valves

It has 2 positions of valve

40. 2/2 DCV
operation and 2 port.

It has 2 positions of valve

41. 3/2 DCV
operation and 3 ports.

It has 2 positions of valve

42. 4/2 DCV
operation and 4 ports.

It has 3 positions of valve

4/3 Close Centre
43. operation and 4 ports
DCV
having closed centre.

It has 3 positions of valve

4/3 Open Centre
44. operation and 4 ports
DCV
having open centre.

It has 3 positions of valve

4/3 Tandem Centre
45. operation and 4 ports
DCV
having tandem centre

It has 3 positions of valve

46. 4/3 Float Centre DCV operation and 4 ports
having float centre.

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

 It has 3 positions of valve
4/3 Regenerative
47. operation and 4 ports
Centre DCV
having regenerative centre

Linear Actuators

1. Single acting Cylinder

retracted by external
Returned by External Force force.

Single Acting Linear

48. 2. Single acting Cylinder
Actuator
retracted by spring force.
Spring Returned

3. Telescopic Single
acting cylinder.
Telescopic Cylinder

1. Double acting Cylinder

operated by Fluid force
having single rod.
Single rod double acting cylinder
2. Double acting Cylinder
Double Acting Linear operated by Fluid force
49.
Actuator having Double rod.
Double rod double acting cylinder
3. Double acting Cylinder
operated by Fluid force
having single rod and
cushioning.
Variable cushioning at both ends
Rotary Actuators
every stroke of the motor
Fixed Displacement
50. moves the same amount of
Hydraulic Motor
hydraulic oil

Variable Can be used to moves the

51. Displacement variable amount of
Hydraulic Motor hydraulic oil.

Fixed Displacement Can be used to moves the

52. Bi-Directional same amount of hydraulic
Hydraulic Motor oil in both direction

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar

 Variable Can be used to moves the
Displacement Bi- variable amount of
53.
Directional Hydraulic hydraulic oil in both
Motor direction

Limited Rotation provides rotary output

54.
Hydraulic Motor motion over a finite angle
Accumulators
Charges when system
No Barrier pressure increases,
55.
Accumulator causing fluid to flow into
the accumulator
Charges when system
pressure increases,
Gas Charged
56. causing fluid to flow into
Accumulator
the accumulator having
pressurized gas force.
Charges when system
pressure increases,
Spring Loaded
57. causing fluid to flow into
Accumulator
the accumulator having
spring force.
Charges when system
pressure increases,
Weight Loaded
58. causing fluid to flow into
Accumulator
the accumulator having
weight force.

Single Acting Used to Obtain high

59.
Intensifier pressure liquid

Helps to prevent damage to

downstream equipment by
ensuring that any
60. FRL Unit
compressed air supplied to
power machinery is
contamination-free.
Helps to increase cycling
speed, in turn, that ensures
61. Quick Exhaust Valve a much smaller valve to be
effectively used for the
process.

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 allows pressure in a line to
62. Shuttle Valve be obtained from
alternative sources

Unidirectional Can be used to moves the

63.
Pneumatic Motor variable amount of air

Prepared By: Prof. Shyam S. Darewar