Intro
A substance that has no fixed shape and yields easily to external pressure; it can be a gas or, especially, a liquid.
What is the definition of fluid in fluid power systems?
Pneumatic refers to containing or operated by air or gas under pressure.
What does pneumatic mean in the context of fluid power systems?
Liquid is used because it is incompressible, allowing for the accurate transfer of high pressures.
Why is liquid used in hydraulic systems?
Pascal’s Law states that in a confined incompressible fluid at rest, any pressure change applied to the fluid is transmitted equally and undiminished throughout the fluid and to the walls of its container.
What is Pascal’s Law and its significance in fluid power?
Power is the measure of physical force exerted by something over time.
What is power, as defined in the context of fluid power?
Air or gas is used because it is compressible, making it suitable for applications like shock absorbers, quick pressure release, and high-volume storage capacity.
Why are air or gas used in pneumatic systems?
Bleeding the system is crucial to remove air bubbles, ensuring accurate pressure transfer and preventing cavitation, which can impair system function.
What is the importance of bleeding the system in hydraulic applications?
Pressure is measured in terms of force divided by area; in the metric system as Pascal (Pa) and kilopascal (kPa), and in the imperial system as pounds per square inch (psi).
How is pressure measured in fluid power systems?
Pressure is the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.
What is pressure in fluid power systems?
Cylinders in fluid power systems act as actuators that convert the energy in the fluid under pressure into mechanical force and movement.
What is the role of cylinders in fluid power systems?
Safety concerns include the risk of explosion due to the compressed nature of the gas.
What are the safety concerns associated with pneumatic systems?
Cavitation makes a fluid compressible. This is mitigated by bleeding the system to remove these bubbles.
What is the impact of cavitation on hydraulic systems and how it can be mitigated?
Force is an influence that can cause an object to change its velocity, describing the pushing or pulling action on an object. It is a vector quantity and has both magnitude and direction.
What does force represent in fluid power systems, and why is it significant?
Gases are able to squeeze down into smaller spaces, allowing for flexible applications such as absorbing shocks or quick pressure adjustments.
What does compressibility of gas mean when used in pneumatic systems?
Hydraulic systems are typically used for larger, heavier, slower-moving equipment that requires the transmission of a lot of force.
What are some uses of hydraulic systems in industrial applications?
Fluid power can be useful in a hydraulic arm by providing a precise and controllable force that can be easily scaled up or down.
How might fluid power be useful in a hydraulic arm?
Pneumatic systems are advantageous for their speed, flexibility, and efficiency in applications requiring quick movement or adaptability to different object sizes.
What are some advantages of using pneumatic systems in engineering?
Pneumatic systems are more suitable for smaller, quicker-moving machines that may handle objects of unusual sizes or shapes.
What are some uses of pneumatic systems in industrial applications?