MEIE

Lecture 1-Intro to Fluid Power

MCTE 321
Presenter: Doc Namoshe Date: MARCH 2022
Lecturer, MEIE Venue: LECTURE ROOM
 Intro to Fluid Power
Topics

What is fluid power?

Where is it used?
Advantages?
What are the 5 basic
components of hydraulics?
Standards?
Applications?
Units?
 What is Fluid Power?
Three methods for transmitting power: Mechanical, Electrical and Fluid (Plasma as well)

Fluid power is the transmission and control of energy using pressurized fluid.

Fluid is considered to be gas or liquid

Hydraulics (oil) and Pneumatics (air)

The electric motor rotates a

hydraulic pump causing the
hydraulic pump to pump oil
from a tank through a pipe to
a hydraulic motor. This
causes the hydraulic motor
shaft to rotate, turning the
conveyer.
 Introduction to fluid power
• Air is Compressible:
(This describes whether it is possible to force an object into a
smaller space than it normally occupies. For example, a
sponge is compressible because it can be squeezed into a
smaller size).

• liquid is Incompressible:
(The opposite to compressible. When a “squeezing” force is
applied to an object, it does not change to a smaller size.
Liquid, for example hydraulic fluid, possesses this physical
property).
 Introduction to Hydraulics

• Hydraulic systems are commonly used where

mechanisms require large forces and precise
control.

• Examples include vehicle power steering and

brakes, hydraulic jacks and heavy earth moving
machines.
 Hydraulics VS Pneumatics

The difference between Hydraulics and Pneumatics is that air is compressible

and oil is relatively incompressible.

Pneumatics is used for:

• Low power/light to moderate load capacity.

• Low to moderate precision.

• Quick response.
Hydraulic system
 Parts of a hydraulic system
• a movable piston connected to the output
shaft in an enclosed cylinder
• storage tank
• filter
• electric pump
• pressure regulator
• control valve
• leak proof closed loop piping.
 Hydraulic system description
The output shaft transfers the motion or force however all other parts help to control
the system. The storage/fluid tank is a reservoir for the liquid used as a
transmission media. The liquid used is generally high density incompressible oil. It
is filtered to remove dust or any other unwanted particles and then pumped by the
hydraulic pump. The capacity of pump depends on the hydraulic system design.
These pumps generally deliver constant volume in each revolution of the pump
shaft. Therefore, the fluid pressure can increase indefinitely at the dead end of the
piston until the system fails. The pressure regulator is used to avoid such
circumstances which redirect the excess fluid back to the storage tank. The
movement of piston is controlled by changing liquid flow from port A and port B. The
cylinder movement is controlled by using control valve which directs the fluid flow.
The fluid pressure line is connected to the port B to raise the piston and it is
connected to port A to lower down the piston. The valve can also stop the fluid flow
in any of the port. The leak proof piping is also important due to safety,
environmental hazards and economical aspects.
 Uses of hydraulics

• Hydraulics plays an important role in many

industries; there are a lot of hydraulic
applications in manufacturing,
transportation, and construction sectors.

• Hydraulics systems are used where large,

precise forces are required.
 Manufacturing
• Industrial robots powered by hydraulics.

• Industrial machines use hydraulics as a power source.

• Plastic injection molding machines us hydraulics to close the mold.

• Lifting devices, such as fork lifts and jacks.

 Transportation
• Airplanes use hydraulics to control landing gear.

• Shock absorbers on cars and trucks

• Brakes for cars and trucks

 Construction
• Backhoes, Bulldozers, dump trucks all use hydraulics.
 2.1Common examples of hydraulic systems include:
2.1.1 Vehicle brake hydraulic systems
Brake pedal
The function of a vehicle
braking system is to stop or Master
cylinder
slow down a moving vehicle.
When the brake pedal is
pressed as illustrated in Fig.
1.1, the hydraulic pressure is
transmitted to the piston in the Brake
brake caliper of the brakes. lines
The pressure forces the brake
pads against the brake rotor, Front
brake
which is rotating with the calipers
wheel.
Rear wheel
The friction between the brake cylinder
pad and the rotor causes the pistons
wheel to slow down and then Pads
Rotor
stop.

Tip: Watch the hydraulic brake Fig.1.1: A schematic diagram of the vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system.
system video.
 Types of Braking system
• Tandem master cylinder
• Single Piston master cylinder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=193DrBoXIfU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd18NcTDCLU
 Master Cylinder – single piston
The master cylinder displaces hydraulic pressure to the rest of the brake system. It holds the most important
fluid in your car, the brake fluid. It actually controls two separate subsystems which are jointly activated by
the brake pedal. This is done so that in case a major leak occurs in one system, the other will still function.
The two systems may be supplied by separate fluid reservoirs, or they may be supplied by a common
reservoir. Some brake subsystems are divided front/rear and some are diagonally separated.

When you press the brake pedal, a push rod connected to the pedal moves the "primary piston" forward
inside the master cylinder. The primary piston activates one of the two subsystems. The hydraulic pressure
created, and the force of the primary piston spring, moves the secondary piston forward. When the forward
movement of the pistons causes their primary cups to cover the bypass holes, hydraulic pressure builds up
and is transmitted to the wheel cylinders. When the brake pedal retracts, the pistons allow fluid from the
reservoir(s) to refill the chamber if needed. Electronic sensors within the master cylinder are used to monitor
the level of the fluid in the reservoirs, and to alert the driver if a pressure imbalance develops between the
two systems. If the brake light comes on, the fluid level in the reservoir(s) should be checked. If the level is
low, more fluid should be added, and the leak should be found and repaired as soon as possible. BE SURE
TO USE THE RIGHT BRAKE FLUID FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Use of improper brake fluid can "contaminate the
system". If this occurs, ALL of the seals in the brake system will need replacement, and that is usually a
VERY expensive operation.
 2.1 Common examples of hydraulic systems include:
2.1.2 Vehicle power steering

The vehicle power steering Hydraulic pump

system uses hydraulic oil, the
hydraulic pump supplies the
oil through the control
valves to the power cylinder
as shown in Fig. 1.2. The Control
Power cylinder
major advantage of using valve

this system is to turn the

vehicle’s wheels with less
effort. Fig.1.2:Vehicle hydraulic power
steering system
 2.1 Common examples of hydraulic systems include:

2.1.3 Hydraulic jack

In a hydraulic jack, a small

piston (pumping piston) (a) Hydraulic jack
transmits pressure through
the oil to a large piston Oil reservoir Handle

(power piston) through a

check valve, resulting in the Weight

weight being lifted as

Pumping piston
Inlet check Power
valve (allows piston
the oil to Outlet check valve

shown in Fig.1.3. move in only

one direction)
(allows the oil to move
in only one direction)

(b) Hydraulic jack schematic

diagram
 2.1 Common examples of hydraulic systems include:
2.1.4 Aircraft hydraulic systems

• All modern aircraft contain hydraulic

systems to operate mechanisms,
such as:
• Flaps (Fig. 1.4a)
• Landing gear (Fig. 1.4a)
• The hydraulic pump that is coupled Landing gears Flaps

to the engine provides hydraulic

(a) Landing gears and flaps
power as illustrated by Fig. 1.4b. Transmission

• Power is also distributed to systems

lines

through the aircraft by transmission Hydraulic

pump Landing
gear
lines. Actuating
Cylinder
• Hydraulic power is converted to
mechanical power by means of an
actuating cylinder or hydraulic Engine
power

motor. (b) Landing gear schematic diagram

 3.2 Hydraulic symbols
• The way hydraulic components direct and
control liquid around a circuit can be complex.
• This would cause difficulty for one engineer (a) Electric motor
explaining to another engineer how the circuit
works.
• A common form of representing components
and circuits is used to more easily explain what (b) Hydraulic pump
is happening.
• This form of representation uses common
symbols to represent components and the
ways in which they are connected to form (c) Tank or reservoir

circuits. Fig. 1.7 shows some of the

components’ symbols used in hydraulics.
• The symbols don’t show the component
construction, or size, however, it is a standard (d)Pressure relief valve

form that is used by all engineers to represent Fig.1.7: (a) Electric motor. (b) Hydraulic pump.
(c) Tank or reservoir. (d) Pressure relief valve.
that specific component.
Power Pack Symbols
• The simplified and detailed symbols of the
hydraulic power pack are shown in Fig. 1.8.

(a) Simplified

(b) Detailed
Fig.1.8: (a) Simplified symbol of the hydraulic power pack.
 Hydraulics
Advantages:
• Provide very high forces and can smoothly and accurately (precision)
control motion.

• Operate under water and other harsh conditions.

Disadvantages:
• Can leak oil.

• Don’t work well in clean room applications.

 5 Basic Components

Power Input Device – A pump that provides hydraulic power to the system. The
pump draws the oil from the reservoir and pumps it into the supply line.

Control Devices – Valves control direction, pressure, and flow rate of pressurized oil
in the hydraulic system.

Power Output Device – This is where the hydraulic power is converted back to
mechanical power. The output devices are call actuators. There are two types of
actuators:
Motors : Create rotary motion as the oil flows through it.
Cylinders: Create straight line motion when oil flows into it.

Conductors – To transmit the liquid, conductors (pipes, tubing, or hoses) are used.
There are two main lines in a hydraulic system:
Supply line: Provides flow to the actuators.
 5 Basic Components
Power Input Device, Control Devices, Power Output Device, Conductors, Liquid
 Applications
Two Systems

Fluid Transfer – Move fluid from one location to another.

Filling your car with gas
Low pressures
Filling a water tank

Fluid Power – Transmit power

Heavy loads
High Pressures
Heavy equipment and machines

Three Main Categories

Mobile Hydraulic – Construction and farm equipment. (largest sector)

Industrial Hydraulic – Machines, Robots, factories……..ect.

Industrial Pneumatic – Air tools, automated manufacturing.

 4- Fundamental laws of Hydraulics

• All hydraulic systems operate

following a defined relationship
between area, force and pressure.

• Laws have been established to

explain the behavior of hydraulic
systems.

• Hydraulic systems use the ability of

a fluid to distribute an applied force
to a desired location.
4- Fundamental laws of Hydraulics
4.1Pressure

• When a force (F) is applied on an

area (A) of an enclosed liquid, a
pressure (P) is produced as shown
in Fig.

• Pressure is the distribution of a

given force over a certain area.

• Pressure can be quoted in bar,

pounds per square inch (PSI) or
Pascal (Pa) .
4.1 Pressure

Where
Force is in newtons (N) and
Area is in square meters (m2).
1 Pascal (Pa) =1 N/m2.
1 bar= 100,000 Pa= 105 Pa.
10 bar= 1 MPa (mega Pascals)
4.1 Pressure
• If the pressure is calculated using a force in Newton, and
area in square millimeters, the pressure in bar can be
calculated.
Example 1-1.
A cylinder is supplied with 100 bar pressure; its effective
piston surface is equal to 700 mm2. Find the maximum force
which can be attained.
• P= 100 bar = 100X100000 N/m2.
• A= 700/1000000=0.0007 m2.
• F= P.A= 100X100000X0.0007= 7,000 N
 4.2 Pascal’s Law
• Pascal’s law states that: “The
pressure in a confined fluid is
transmitted equally to the whole
surface of its container”

• When force F is exerted on area A

on an enclosed liquid, pressure P is
produced. The same pressure
applies at every point of the closed
system as shown in Fig. 1.10a. Fig.1.10: (a) Pascal’s law.
 Pressure
One kPa is equal to 1000 Pascals, and
6.9 kPa equals 1 psi
1 bar = 100KPascal

(S.I. Units)

5 5
𝑝= =2𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑝= =5 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑠
2.5 1
 Pressure
Ex: What is the amount of pressure in the given container?

10
𝑝= =100 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑠
0.1
 4.2 Pascal’s Law
• Example 1-2.
• In Fig.11, find the weight of the
car in N, if the area of piston
A1 is 0.0006m2, the area of
piston A2 is 0.0105 m2, and
the force applied on piston A1
is 500 N. Piston A
Piston B

• Solution:
P1  P2
F1 F2 F1  A2 500  0.0105
 F2  F2 
A1 A2 A1 0.0006

F2  8750 N  8.75 kN
4.2 Pascal’s Law Piston A
• Example 1-3. Piston B

In Fig 1.11, if the weight of the car is 10,000 N, the diameter

of piston A1 is 0.01 m, and the force applied on piston A1 is
250 N. Calculate the area of piston A2.
• Solution:
1. Calculate the area of piston A1, the piston shape is circular
as shown in Fig. 1.10a, accordingly the area will be calculated
using the following formula.
2 2
D (0.01)
A1    3.14   0.0000785 m 2
4 4

F1  250 N F2  10,000 N
4.2 Pascal’s Law
• 2. Apply Pascal’s law

F1 F
P1  P2  2
A1 A2

• 3. Use Pascal’s law to calculate the area of piston B

A1  F2
A2 
F1

2
(D )
A2    2  0.003140m 2
4

0.0000785  10,000
A2   0.00314m 2
250
 Pressure
Ex: The piston is required to support a force of 10kN (10,000N). We do not want to exceed a
pressure of 70 bar. What size cylinder is required?

𝑁
70 𝑏𝑎𝑟 =7,000,000 𝑃𝑎=7,000,000 2
𝑚

Solve for D

= 0.04265m
 MECH1300

Pressure
Ex: The piston has a diameter of 40mm. We don’t want to exceed a pressure of 3500 kPa. What is
the maximum force this system can withstand?
 MECH1300

Basic Properties of Hydraulic Fluids

Mass – How much matter an object contains. (Slugs, Kg)

Weight – The measure of how much force an objects mass creates due to gravity. (N)

Gravity (Earth)

EX: An object weighs 1000N. What is its mass?

 MECH1300

Basic Properties of Hydraulic Fluids

Density – A substance’s mass per unit volume. (

Specific gravity does not have units associated with it.

Specific weight of Petroleum based oils is

4.3 Liquid flow
4.3.1 Flow rate versus flow velocity
The flow rate is the volume of fluid that moves through the
system in a given period of time.
Flow rates determine the speed at which the output device (e.g.,
a cylinder) will operate.
The flow velocity of a fluid is the distance the fluid travels in a
given period of time.
These two quantities are often confused, so care should be
taken to note the distinction. The following equation relates the
flow rate and flow velocity of a liquid to the size (area) of the
conductors (pipe, tube or hose) through which it flows.
Q=V x A
Where:
Q= flow rate ( m³ /s )
V= flow velocity (m / s )
A= area (m² )
4.3 Liquid flow
This is shown graphically in Fig. 1.11. Arrows are
used to represent the fluid flow. It is important to
note that the area of the pipe or tube being used.

Q, V
A

Fig.1.11: Flow velocity and flow rate

4.3 Liquid flow
• Example 1-4.
A fluid flows at a velocity of 2 m/s through a pipe
with a diameter of 0.2 m. Determine the flow rate.
Solution:
1. Calculate the pipe area
2
D (0.2) 2
A  3.14   0.0314 m 2
4 4

2. Calculate the flow rate

m3
Q V  A Q  2  0.0314  0.0628
Sec
4.3.2 The continuity equation
Hydraulic systems commonly have a pump that
produces a constant flow rate. If we assume that the
fluid is incompressible (oil), this situation is referred
to as steady flow. This simply means that whatever
volume of fluid flows through one section of the
system must also flow through any other section. Fig.
1.12 shows a system where flow is constant and the
diameter varies
A1 V1
A2 V2

Q1 Q2

Fig.1.12: Continuity of flow.

4.3.2 The continuity equation

The following equation applies in this system:

Q1  Q2
Therefore,

V1  A1  V2  A2
The following example illustrates the significance
of the continuity equation shown above.
 4.3.2 The continuity equation
• Example 1-5.
A fluid flows at a velocity of 0.2 m/s at point 1 in the
system shown in Fig. 1.12. The diameter at point 1 is
50mm and the diameter at point 2 is 30 mm. Determine
the flow velocity at point 2. Also determine the flow rate
in m/s.

• 1. Calculate the areas

2
D (50  10 3 ) 2
A1    1  3.14 *  1.963  10 -3 m 2
4 4
2
D2 (30 10 3 ) 2
A2     3.14 *  7.068  10 - 4 m 2
4 4
4.3.2 The continuity equation

2. Calculate the velocity at point 2

Q1  Q2
Therefore,
V1  A1  V2  A2
A1 1.963 10 -3
V 2  V1   0.2  -4
 0.55m / s
A2 7.068 10

3. Calculate the flow rate in m/s

Q1  V1  A1  0.2  1.963  10 -3  3.926  10 4 m 3 s

 MECH1300

Bernoulli’s Equation
Bernoulli’s equation describes the total energy of an incompressible fluid.

1. Potential Energy (due to elevation and gravity) =

2. Pressure Energy =
3. Kinetic Energy (due to velocity) =
 MECH1300

Bernoulli’s Equation
Potential Energy 1+Pressure Energy 1+Kinetic Energy 1 = Potential Energy 2+Pressure Energy 2+Kinetic Energy 2

It tells us that an increase in energy in any one of the three areas must be balanced by a reduction in one or more of the other
two areas of an equal amount.

Elevation Head + Pressure Head + Velocity Head = total head

Head is a measure of energy a fluid posses per pound.

 MECH1300

Bernoulli’s Equation
EX: A fluid flows at a constant rate of . The areas at point 1 and point 2 are equal. The pressure at
point 1 is 100 psi and h=200 in. Determine the pressure at point 2.
𝑝1 𝑣1 2 𝑝2 𝑣 22
h1 + + = h2 + +
𝛾 2∙𝑔 𝛾 2∙𝑔
Since the two areas are equal and the flow rate is
constant, we can ignore the velocity terms because
they cancel out, so the equation reduces to:

Solve for

Substitute known values

 MECH1300

Bernoulli’s Equation
EX: A fluid flows at a constant flow rate of . The areas are and . If the pressure at point 1 is
500kPa, determine the pressure at point 2.

Calculate the flow velocities:

Because the elevation terms drop out.

Solve for :
Reducing the size of the conduit causes and increase in
velocity and a decrease in pressure.

Substitute known values:

 MECH1300

Bernoulli’s Equation
Venturi – reducing a conduits size to intentionally reduce pressure. The reduced diameter section is
called the throat.

The heights are equal and the elevation terms drop out. Bernoulli’s equation becomes:
using the continuity equation plug in
Then solve for
 MECH1300

Torricelli’s Theorem
A special case of Bernoulli’s equation that applies to a liquid draining from a tank. In this case the
pressure at points 1 and 2 are both 0 psi and the velocity at point 1 is zero because it is going to be
very small compared to the velocity at point 2. Bernoulli’s equation is reduced to:

We solve for

However, is simply just h, so

 MECH1300

Torricelli’s Theorem

EX: The tank is fill with liquid to a height of 2 meters, determine the
velocity at the outlet.
 4.3.2 The continuity equation
The example shows that in a system with a steady
flow rate, a reduction in area (pipe size)
corresponds to an increase in flow velocity by the
same factor. If the pipe diameter increases, the
flow velocity is reduced by the same factor. This
is an important concept to understand because
in an actual hydraulic system, the pipe size
changes repeatedly as the fluid flows through
hoses, fittings, valves, and other devices.
 5 Reading the pressure gauge

• The pressure gauge indicates the amount of

pressure in a system. Technicians read these
gauges to determine if a machine is operating
properly.
• Most pressure gauges have a face plate that is
graduated either in US units (psi) or SI units
(Pascal or bar) note that;
1 bar=0.1 mega pascals as explained
 5 Reading the pressure gauge
A pointer rotates on the
graduated scale as the
pressure changes to indicate Face plate

the pressure in the system.

The pressure gauge used in
Pointer

the hydraulic power pack is

shown in Fig. 1.13. The
outer black scale indicates psi

pressure units of bar, and

bar

the inner red scale indicates

Minimum SI units US units Maximum
reading reading

pressure units in psi

Fig. 1.13: A pressure gauge.
 5 Reading the pressure gauge
• Each scale is graduated with a series of numbers ranging from 0 to a
maximum number. In case of the gauge shown, it is graduated from
0 to a maximum reading of 100 bar or a maximum reading of 1450
psi. The maximum reading is always called the range of the gauge.

• To read the pressure gauge, you only need to read the inner red scale
or the outer red scale to which the pointer points. If the pointer
points to a position between the two numbers, you read the gauge to
the closest graduation.

• In the bar scale there are 4 graduations between 0 and 20; this
means the value of each graduation is 20/4=5 bar. In the psi scale
there are 4 graduations between 0 and 200; this means the value of
each graduation is 200/4=50 psi.
 5.1Activity 2: Setting the hydraulic pressure to 30 bar.

Procedures: 
1- Switch on the electrical power supply
first and then the hydraulic power pack.
2- Use the pressure relief valve to set the
pressure to 30 bars.
3- While you are adjusting the pressure
observe the pressure gauge.
4- When the pressure gauge indicates 30
bar, switch off the hydraulic power pack
first, and then the electrical power supply Fig. 1.13: The hydraulic
  power pack.
For more information, refer to the movie
section