Learning objectives
The course main goal is to give to the student the comprehension and the possession of the fluid power basic principles.
Prerequisites
Fluid Machinery
Course unit content
The course presents the analysis of both fluid power components and systems. The main components of hydraulic circuits are presented, focusing on the working principles and the design criteria. Several hydraulic circuits are analyzed, taking remark from the most common industrial applications. Many numerical exercises are solved, some of them by means of numerical computer simulations.
Full programme
Power transmitting fluids
Physical properties of hydraulic fluids (density, viscosity, bulk modulus). Contamination of the fluid (in form of liquid, gas or solid).
ISO fluid properties classifications.
Basic types of filtering methods used in hydraulic systems: filters and strainer. Location of filters in hydraulic circuits.
Hydraulic symbols. ISO1219 specifications: basic symbols and combinations. Representation of pumps, motors, actuators and control elements.
Accumulators. Basic types of accumulators and working principles.
Pumps
Pump classification. Positive displacement pumps. Different designs and main ideal characteristics. Pump torque and actual characteristics: volumetric and hydro-mechanical efficiency. The pump flow and pressure ripple.
Control components in hydraulic systems
Types of drives.
Directional control valves. Rotative spool control valves. Overlap: definition and effects on the valve behaviour. On/off and proportional control valves. Check valves.
Pressure control valves. Direct acting and hydraulically piloted relief valves. Actual and ideal flow characteristics. Sequence valves. Differential and proportional valves. Pressure reducing valves. Piloted valves: different solutions. Flow control valves. Orifices, compensated flow regulators, flow dividers and combiners Two ways and three ways flow control valves.
Pump groups
Constant flow rate pump group. Flow-pressure characteristics. Alternative solutions.
Discrete values variable flow rate pump group. Flow-pressure characteristics and evaluation of the group efficiency. Use of a remote piloted relief valve.
Variable flow rate pump group. Flow-pressure characteristics.
Fixed pressure pump group. Flow-pressure characteristics. Pump group with accumulators.
Hydraulic uses
Linear actuators. Resistive and dragging load. Basic circuit for simple effect and double effect linear actuators. Choice of different types of control valves (closed centre, open centre, ..). Force – speed charts. Control of the dragging loads: counterbalance and overcentre valves.
Control of the actuator speed by regenerative circuits. Automatic transition to the regenerative solution.
Multiple load systems. The series, parallel and tandem configurations. Synchronism between several actuators.
Compensating and metering orifices. Flow dividers: a few examples. Multiple actuators with priority systems.
Load Sensing Systems
Load sensing system controlling several units: advantages and drawbacks. LS systems with fixed and variable displacement pumps. Energy saving and controllability of LS systems . Pressure compensators.
Hydrostatic transmissions
Working principles and application field. Open circuit and closed circuit hydrostatic transmissions. Elements of a closed circuit HT.
Bibliography
N. Nervegna, 2003, “Oleodinamica e Pneumatica”, 3 volumi, Politeko, Torino
H. Speich, A. Bucciarelli, 2002, “Manuale di Oleodinamica – Principi, componenti, circuiti e applicazioni”, Tecniche nuove, Milano
Autori vari, 2007, “Hydraulics in Industrial and Mobile Applications”, ASSOFLUID
J.S. Stecki, A. Garbacik, “Design and Steady-state Analysis of Hydraulic Control Systems”, Fluid Power Net Publications
G.L. Zarotti, “Circuiti Oleodinamici – nozioni e lineamenti introduttivi”, CEMOTER – Quaderni Tematici
Teaching methods
Lectures. Laboratory activities with dedicated software
Assessment methods and criteria
There is only the final exam that ensures the acquisition of knowledge and skills by conducting an oral test.
During the test the student is invited to describe scheme and figures of systems and components.
To be admitted to the oral examination the student must have completed a short project to be carried out with the software presented during the exercises. The project is assigned during the final lessons of the course, considering the average number of students, at each student is assigned a different project. Students are invited to carry out the project in collaboration, discussing about the specific issues involving their project.
The student must send the report relating his project, via email, at least one week before the oral examination.
There is no vote for the project, but only the admission to the oral test.
Honors is given in case of achieving the highest score on each item, the mastery of vocabulary is required.
These information are reported on the Elly platform.
Other information
Lecture attendance is highly recommended.
Experimental tests on the test rig for fluid power components. The tests are carried out under the supervision of the assistant.
