Hydraulic equipment and components use an incompressible fluid to transmit power, motion, and force. They are used in applications that require significant amounts of power, but lack access to other power sources (such as electricity). Unlike pneumatic systems, hydraulic lines are less prone to explosions. Fluid power systems are susceptible to cold weather problems such as freezing, however. Although some hydraulic fluids are water-based, petroleum-based fluids and synthetic fluids are also available. Some of these products for hydraulic equipment and components are fire-resistant or supplemented with rust inhibitors, anti-wear agents, and other additives.
Hydraulic equipment and components derive or produce power via fluid pressurization, and use pressurized lines to move the liquid and impart power. As stand-alone systems, hydraulics are often used to provide mobile power for trucking, construction, and heavy lifting applications. Hydraulic equipment and components are also used with industrial machinery such as molding and die casting equipment. Hydraulic systems may serve as the main power source or support and drive implements such as grippers. Suppliers of hydraulic equipment and components may also manufacture specialized hydraulic lifts for ski areas and marinas.
Hydraulic equipment and components include valves, switches, cylinders, pumps, hoses, unions, and fittings. Hydraulic valves are designed to contain and transfer the flow and pressure of hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic pressure switches open or close electrical contacts when set under pressure. Hydraulic cylinders are single-action or double-action devices with specifications such as maximum stroke. Hydraulic pumps are designed to deliver pressurized fluid flows to an outlet. Hydraulic hoses are typically flexible and often reinforced. Hydraulic unions and hydraulic couplings are designed for use with hydraulic hoses, and include quick couplers and hydraulic fittings.
Categories of hydraulic equipment and components include hydraulic reservoirs, valve actuators, pressure intensifiers, and hydraulic accumulators. Hydraulic reservoirs are designed to maintain the pressure of hydraulic systems at a specific value. Hydraulic valve actuators convert fluid pressure into linear or rotary motion. Pressure intensifiers, as their name suggests, are designed to increase the pressure of hydraulic oils. They differ from hydraulic pumps in that intensifiers can increase but not decrease the pressure of a normally-pressurized fluid. Hydraulic accumulators are used to store energy, absorb shock, eliminate noise, and counter-balance loads. Other types of hydraulic equipment and components are also available.
What are hydraulic tools?
Hydraulic machinery are tools that use fluid power to perform work. Hydraulic tools are often heavy equipment that transmits high pressure hydraulic fluid throughout the various hydraulic motors and cylinders.
Every system has its own merits and demerits. It is selected depending on the application it wants to perform. At present, hydraulics are widely used because they can effectively transfer energy or power to remote locations with less moving parts and high efficiency. A hydraulic system is characterized as an easy, flexible system with agile movements. Here are few advantages of hydraulic systems:
Hydraulic systems are easy to control and accurate. Because, a system operator can easily start, stop, accelerate and slow down the system using simple levers and push buttons.
Hydraulic systems are simpler and easier to maintain because these systems use less moving parts.
Only hydraulic systems can deliver constant torque or force regardless of speed changes.
Easy to spot leakages of a hydraulic system.
Centralized lubrication systems that automatically lubricate and protect the right points.
A large amount of power can be transmitted through the hydraulic system using small flexible hoses and tubes.
These systems do not cause sparks. So, these systems are safe to use in chemical plants and mines.
Hydraulic systems have the ability to maintain its viscosity of airworthiness, its density and the temperature of the fluid in a very hot environment.
Using hydraulics power can be transmitted through flexible, varying lines.
The amount of force on the driving system can be adjusted with force multiplication.
Hydraulic components allow micrometric speed variations.
Minimize undesirable noises.
Easy to repair major machines in Hydraulics like Hydraulic Rams, direction control valves, gear pumps and motors.