WHAT IS FLUID

POWER?

Dane Rogers and Jeremy Ward

https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/technologies/other-
technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-and-hydraulic-systems
 What is Fluid
power?
• Fluid power is the use of Air or
oil to generate force
• Capable of generating
massive amounts of force or
moving extremely heavy
objects
• Hydraulics
• Pneumatics

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r-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-
 Hydraulics:
Advantages
• Massive amount of force capable
• Adjustable actuator speed through flow controls
• Compact for the force capable
• Modular
• Reversable
• Properly designed systems prevent damage to themselves
using relief valves
• A single power unit can power multiple actuators
• Lubrication is provided by the oil in the system

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r-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-
 Hydraulics:
Disadvantages
• Not as fast as pneumatics
• Oil must be filtered to keep
components safe and stored in a
reservoir
• Improperly sealed or designed
systems can lead to leaks
• Can cause further
environmental harm if more
common oils are used
• Malfunctions can be deadly due to
high pressure
• Usually require a custom-built power
unit
• Expensive

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 Applications of
Hydraulics

• Industrial
• Factories
• Manufacturing
• Lifting, forming, or cutting
massive objects
• Mobile
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Utility equipment
• Waste management

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 Pneumatics:
Advantages
• Very fast actuation times
• Pneumatic systems can tap off an existing
pneumatic source (air compressor)
• Air is compressible and can act as a cushion
• Low pressures decrease risk of serious injury
• Cheap components make systems relatively
inexpensive
• No need for a reservoir, as air is exhausted into
the atmosphere
• Adding sensors make actuators accurate and
fast
https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/technologies/other-
technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-and-hydraulic-systems
https://library.automationdirect.com/why-use-pneumatics/
 Pneumatics:
Disadvantages

• Volume of air is harder to calculate since

its compressible
• Timings are harder to control due to the
instantaneous nature of pneumatics
• Much lower forces when compared to
hydraulics
• Must be lubricated
• Air must be filtered to keep
contaminates out of the air and extend
the life of the components
• Not as mobile as hydraulics

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r-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-
 Applications of
Pneumatics
• Industrial
• Factory automation in:
• Food processing
• Medical fields
• Packaging
• Manufacturing
• Used in cases where controlled, soft movements are needed, as
well as fast movements
• Vibration isolation
• Air bags to cancel out noise on machines
• Luxury cars used air bags for ride height adjustment and noise
suppression

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r-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-
 Similarities Between
Fluid Power Sources
• Use of Directional Control valves to control flow
• Both follow the principles of Pascal’s law, since they are
liquids and gases
• Both are dramatically more efficient compared to a
human
• Both capable of substantial forces
• Electrical operators increase precision

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r-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-
 Conclusion:
Why Fluid Power
is Important
• It is the very basis of many industries
• Food
• Automobiles
• Construction
• Medicine
• Not having to pay a human means
goods produced by fluid power are
cheaper
• Faster and more reliable than a human

https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/technologies/othe
r-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneumatic-
 Sources: • https://www.nfpa.com/home/About-NFPA/What-is-Flu
id-Power.htm
• https://library.automationdirect.com/why-use-pneuma
tics/
• https://www.controlsdrivesautomation.com/page_347
392.asp
• https://sciencing.com/definition-of-hydraulic-pneumati
c-systems-13637116.html
• https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/technologies/
other-technologies/article/21884114/chapter-5-pneum
atic-and-hydraulic-systems
• https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/news/gui
des/hydraulics-versus-pneumatics

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