Hydraulic Basics - LunchBox Sessions

12/19/2017 Hydraulic Basics | LunchBox Sessions
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HYDRAULIC BASICS
Objectives
Explain basic fluidic principles.
Demonstrate the relationships between pressure, area, and force.
https://www.lunchboxsessions.com/materials/fluid-power-basics/hydraulic-basics-lesson 1/27
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.
Flow velocity is the distance a specific volume of fluid travels in a set amount of time.
The flow velocity is not measured directly, but is instead calculated using the flow rate and
the cross section area of the hose.
nt!
A consta
0.3208 x Flow Rate
Flow Velocity =
Area
0.3208 x 15 GPM
Flow Velocity =
2 in2
Flow Velocity = 2.406 ft/sec
2 in2
2
5.08 cm
10 GPM
0.3208 x 10 GPM
Flow Velocity = = 1.07 ft/sec
3 in2
Decrease Increase
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.
20 GPM
0.3208 x 20 GPM
Flow Velocity = 2
= 3.21 ft/sec
2 in
Decrease Increase
If instead we keep the pump size unchanged, but change the hose size we have the same
effect.
As flow velocity increases, heat also inceases.
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.
ty!
Gravi
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.
Decrease Increase
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).
Decrease Increase
Surface Area
Surface area is the total exposed area of a solid object.
Surface Area of a Circle

π x Radius x Radiu
2
π x 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm = 176.6 c
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)
Pressure Area
(P) (A)
e!
A triangl
This relationship is commonly expressed using the FPA Triangle.
If we know the pressure and the piston

surface area we can thus calculate the force.
F = P x A
Force = Pressure x Area

2
Force = 250 PSI x 10 in
Force = 2500 lbs
Force = ??
250 PSI
https://www.lunchboxsessions.com/materials/fluid-power-basics/hydraulic-basics-lesson 2 20/27
10 in2
If we know what force is needed and the pressure available

we can calculate the piston surface area needed.
Force
Area =
F Pressure
A = 2000 lbs
Area =
P A 325 PSI
Area = 6.15 in2
Force = 2000 lbs
325 PSI
Piston
Surface Area
Area = ??
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 =
10 in2
P A
Pressure = 200 PS
Force = 2000 lbs
Pressure = ??
10 in2
Force Magnification
By using a smaller surface area on the left cylinder we can multiply the force of the right
cylinder.
2
Force = 100 PSI x 50 in
Force = 5000 lbs
5000 lbs!
1000 lbs
1000 lbs
Pressure =
10 in2
Pressure = 100 PS
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
Rate
Velocity
Laminar
Turbulent
Friction
Pressure
Static
Dynamic
Restrictions
Surface Area
Force
Multiplication
Principles

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12/19/2017 Hydraulic Basics | LunchBox Sessions

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

As flow velocity increases, heat also inceases.

This is due to friction.

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.

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

This relationship is commonly expressed using the FPA Triangle.

If we know the pressure and the piston

Force = Pressure x Area

If we know what force is needed and the pressure available

Area = 6.15 in2

Force = 2000 lbs

Force = 2000 lbs

100 PSI 100 PSI

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