Fluid Power Systems (Part 3) – Hydraulic Components - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Architects and Surveyors

Fluid Power Systems (Part 3) – Hydraulic Components

Course Outline

Fluid systems involve the use of fluids to transmit and multiply force. The basic hydraulic unit for this purpose makes use of various hydraulic components such as reservoirs, actuators, filters and accumulators. It also involves the use of diverse types of controls including pressure control and valves, flow control, directional control and solenoids.

This 5 - hour course describes---- the theory, concepts, selection procedures and modes of operation of hydraulic and pneumatic components. This course material is based entirely on the NAVEDTRA NONRESIDENT TRAINING COURSE 14105 titled “Fluid Power”. In part -III, the reader will be introduced to chapters 8 thru 12.

Chapter -8: Measurement and pressure control devices
Chapter -9: Reservoirs, strainers, filters, and accumulators
Chapter -10: Actuators
Chapter -11: Pneumatics
Chapter -12: Basic diagrams and systems

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will understand:

Pressure control devices and switches – Bourdon tube, elastic bellows;
Temperature measuring instruments and switches – Bimetallic expansion thermometer and remote indicators;
Function of pressurized and non-pressurized reservoirs;
Function and types of accumulators - piston type, bladder type, direct contact gas to fluid and diaphragm accumulators;
Function of strainers and filters – application of full flow and proportional flow filters;
How to rate and specify the materials of filters;
Types of actuators – linear cylinder type and rotary actuators;
Operation of single-acting, double-acting, and non-differential cylinders as well as the operation of cylinders controlled by regulating flow or pressure.
Types of rotary actuators – gear type, vane type and piston type motors;
Impulse and reaction turbines to convert kinetic energy of gases to mechanical energy;
Basic fundamentals of pneumatic systems – the characteristics and compressibility of gases and the most commonly used gases in pneumatic systems;
Design of hydraulic circuits;
Safety precautions and the potential hazards of compressed gases;
Types of system diagrams encountered in fluid power systems; and
How hydraulic components are combined to form and operate together as a system.

Intended Audience

This course is applicable to mechanical engineers, process engineers, automotive engineers, machine designers, constructors, mechanics, operators and others involved in design and operation of industrial machinery.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will get acquainted with the working of various components of fluid power equipment as well as understand schematics and system design. The course will be extremely helpful to the amateur engineers who desire to build on their design experience and the skilled professionals who have learnt the trade informally on the job.

Course Introduction

This course introduces 4 important components of hydraulic system:

Filters and regulators to condition the fluid;
Accumulators and reservoirs to store the fluid;

Actuators to transform the energy generated by hydraulic systems into mechanical force and motion.

Turbines to convert kinetic energy of gases to mechanical energy.

This course is applicable for participants who are familiar with the basic operating principles of hydraulic systems and have a basic understanding of hydraulic pumps, and directional and flow controls. Two of the basic courses “Fluid Power (Part 1) – Hydraulic Principles” and “Fluid Power (Part 2) – Hydraulic Power Units” are separately listed.

Course Content

This course is in the following PDF document:

Fluid Power Systems (Part 3) – Hydraulic Components

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Course Summary

Reliability and precision are needed in a wide range of industrial applications where consumers are increasingly demanding higher quality. Advanced technology must be economical and reliable. This course introduced 4 major components found in typical fluid power equipment and how these components function and interact with each other.

Filters and regulators to condition the fluid;
Accumulators and reservoirs to store the fluid;

Actuators (cylinders or motor) to transform the energy generated by hydraulic systems into mechanical force and motion;
Turbines to convert kinetic energy of gases to mechanical energy.

The course also addressed the characteristics and the components of pneumatic systems and how these are different from the hydraulic systems. Hydraulic systems have two main features:

Hydraulic systems use liquids such as oil and water to perform work processes.
Hydraulic systems are closed systems, recirculating the oil or water after use.

Pneumatic systems have two main features:

Pneumatic systems use compressed gas such as air or nitrogen to perform work processes.
Pneumatic systems are open systems, exhausting the compressed air to atmosphere after use.

One of the main differences between the two systems is that in pneumatics, air is compressible. In hydraulics, liquids are not.
Proper selection of fluid power components ensures safety, guarantees quality and reliability.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.