Hydraulic Basics

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HYDRAULIC BASICS
Objectives
Explain basic fluidic principles.
Demonstrate the relationships between pressure, area, and force.
Flow
Flow is the general movement of fluid.
Flow has two components to consider: flow rate and flow velocity.
20 GPM
75.7 LPM
Flow rate is the movement of a specific volume of fluid in a set amout of time. Flow rate is typically
measured in U.S. gallons per minute (gpm) or litres per minute (lpm) , using a flow meter.
nt!
A consta
Flow velocity is the distance a specific volume of fluid travels in a set amount of time. 0.3208 x Flow Rate
Flow Velocity =
Area
The flow velocity is not measured directly, but is instead calculated using the flow rate and the 0.3208 x 15 GPM
Flow Velocity =
cross section area of the hose. 2 in²
Flow Velocity = 2.406 ft/sec
Flow velocity is directly dependant on flow rate and hose size.
If we change the flow rate of the pump but leave the hose size
unchanged, we can change the flow velocity of the fluid.
If instead we keep the pump size unchanged, but change the hose
size we have the same effect.
As flow velocity increases, heat also increases.
This is due to friction.

Friction is caused by the fluid molecules rubbing against the inside

surface of hoses and pipes.
Don't take this too literally — it's just for fun.

Laminar Flow
We imagine that fluid flows as a single mass but in reality that is not the case.
At low velocities, fluid flows in distinct separate parallel layers.
Each of these layers is moving at a slightly different rate.
This state is known as laminar flow.

Turbulent Flow
As the velocity of a fluid increases, tiny imperfections in the surface of the
flow conductor (hose or pipe) disturb the flow path.
This creates a chaotic state rather than the organized layers of laminar flow.
This turbulent flow (due to friction) causes an increase in heat.

Turbulent flow is evident anywhere in a hydraulic system where bends and

restrictions occur.
Keeping hoses and fittings large helps to minimize this effect.

Pascal's Law
Pascal's law states that any pressure exerted on a confined fluid is transmitted with equal force in
every direction.
But this is true only as long as the fluid is trapped.

Pressure
Pressure is created either by resistance to flow, referred to as dynamic
pressure, or by the potential energy of an object being affected by gravity,
known as static pressure.
ity!
Grav
d!
Close
Static pressure is present when fluid wants to flow but cannot. Gravity is trying to pull this cylinder
rod down, but since the valve is closed the fluid in the cylinder is unable to escape.
This trapped fluid gains energy due to the force pulling the cylinder rod down. This energy is the
pressure value shown on the gauge.
On the other hand, dynamic pressure is tied to the kinetic energy of a fluid.
Thus as the resistance to flow increases, the pressure increases.

When fluid flows through a restriction there is a pressure

drop due to an energy conversion (friction causing heat).
Bernoulli's Principle
Because the total energy of a system must remain constant, Bernoulli's principle states that if there
is a decrease in kinetic energy (fluid velocity) there must be a proportional increase in potential
energy (pressure).
Surface Area of a Circle:

Surface Area π x Radius x Radius
π x 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm = 176.6 cm²
Surface area is the total exposed area of a solid object. 15 cm The radius is half the diameter
In hydraulic systems we are concerned with the surface area of components that
interact with the fluid.
The surface area of a component can have dramatic effects on the work that the
system is capable of!
The FPA Triangle

There is a direct mathematical relationship between the force that a hydraulic system is capable of
transferring, the pressure of the system, and the surface area of the component being driven.
Force = Pressure x Area Force

(F)
This relationship is commonly expressed using the FPA Triangle.
Pressure Area
(P) (A)
e!
A triangl
If we know the pressure and the piston

surface area we can thus calculate the force. Force = ??
F = P x A
250 PSI
Force = Pressure x Area
Force = 250 PSI x 10 in²
Force = 2500 lbs
10 in²
If we know what force is needed and the pressure available Force = 2000 lbs
we can calculate the piston surface area needed.
Force
Area =
F Pressure
A = 2000 lbs
Area =
P A 325 PSI 325 PSI
Area = 6.15 in²
Piston
Area = ?? Surface Area
Force = 2000 lbs

Or, if we know the force and the piston surface area we can
then calculate the pressure.
Force
Pressure =
F Area
P = 2000 lbs
Pressure = Pressure = ??
10 in²
P A
Pressure = 200 PSI
10 in²
Force Magnification
By using a smaller surface area on the left cylinder we can multiply the force of the right cylinder.
Force = 100 PSI x 50 in²

Force = 5000 lbs
5000 lbs!
1000 lbs
1000 lbs
Pressure =
10 in²
Pressure = 100 PSI
100 PSI 100 PSI
10 in² 50 in²
Your turn: explore the relationship between force, pressure, and area.
Recap
This module introduced some basic, but important, hydraulic concepts.
Flow Pressure Surface Area Principles

Rate Static Force Bernoulli's Principle
Velocity Dynamic Multiplication Pascal's Principle
Laminar Restrictions FPA Triangle
Turbulent
Friction
As you learn more about hydraulics systems and design these concepts will appear over and over!
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED HYDRAULIC BASICS

Hydraulic Basics

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Flow velocity is directly dependant on flow rate and hose size.

As flow velocity increases, heat also increases.

This is due to friction.

Friction is caused by the fluid molecules rubbing against the inside

Don't take this too literally — it's just for fun.

At low velocities, fluid flows in distinct separate parallel layers.

Each of these layers is moving at a slightly different rate.

This state is known as laminar flow.

This turbulent flow (due to friction) causes an increase in heat.

Turbulent flow is evident anywhere in a hydraulic system where bends and

Keeping hoses and fittings large helps to minimize this effect.

But this is true only as long as the fluid is trapped.

Thus as the resistance to flow increases, the pressure increases.

When fluid flows through a restriction there is a pressure

Surface Area of a Circle:

The FPA Triangle

Force = Pressure x Area Force

If we know the pressure and the piston

Area = 6.15 in²

Force = 2000 lbs

Force = 100 PSI x 50 in²

100 PSI 100 PSI

Flow Pressure Surface Area Principles

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED HYDRAULIC BASICS

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