Fluid Power Technology: Introduction of a new course for students

N. L. Soni Head, Fluid Power & Tribology Section, Refuelling Technology Division

Fluid power is widely used in industries where requirements exist for high force/torque along with precise position and speed control, stall load conditions, sudden change in direction, small system volume (overall size and weight) and intermediate stopping positions, less heating requirement etc. Fluid Power & Tribology Section (FPTS) of the Refuelling Technology Division is involved in development of various types of hydraulic valves and various actuators for oil as well as water hydraulic applications, design and development of various types of hydraulic systems, selection, testing and repair of the hydraulic components, static and dynamic analysis of the

hydraulic control systems etc. FPTS has attained expertise in the development of special hydraulic components like rotary actuators, friction-less hydraulic actuator and special purpose valves etc. FPTS is also using servo valves, proportional valves, integrated circuit valves, accumulators etc. FPTS is regularly updating knowledge on the latest trends and developments in fluid powersystems and valve technology i.e. proportional, servo valves and integrated hydraulic circuits etc. The Fluid Power Laboratory (FPL) has the infrastructure for testing servo valves, pressure control valves, flow control valves, hydraulic motors,

250P-150Q Power Pack

210P-30Q Power Pack

ISSUE NO. 315 JULY - AUG. 2010

NEWS AND EVENTS

97

BARC NEWSLETTER BARC NEWSLETTER

NEWS AND EVENTS

Dehydration unit

servo-hydraulic motors, hydraulic pumps, electrohydraulic pumps, filters etc. It also has facilities like condition monitoring systems and particle counting system, to monitor healthiness of fluid power systems and hydraulic oil, ferrography system to trace back the sources of wear particles in the hydraulic systems available in FPL as well as other divisions of BARC, RPP Vashi and other DAE constituent units. Special test facilities for testing servo linear/rotary actuators, friction-less hydraulic linear actuators, special rotary actuators and endurance testing of valves. FPTS is actively involved in providing hydraulics/fluid power related solution to various divisions in BARC as well as NPCIL. Modifications in Spent Fuel Chopper hydraulic system, Dhruva fuelling machine, AHWR fuelling machine Z drive, weight balancing system of AHWR, ISOMED hydraulic circuit, Remotely Operated Hydraulic Trolley Along-with 6DOF Manipulator (ROHYTAM), Integrated Jack Loading system of IGCAR etc. are some of the examples of involvement of the FPTS. Based on the expertise of FPTS, various divisions of BARC have requested FPTS to conduct beginners and Advanced level Hydraulic Control System courses and tailor made courses. One such tailor made course was conducted by FPTS for Radiation Processing Plant (RPP), Vashi personnel. Mr. N.L. Soni, Head 98

Fluid Power & Tribology Section, is working as a visiting faculty to CITD for Advanced Hydraulic Control Systems for M.Tech and PG diploma students in Mechatronics. Based on the suggestions and requests received from several divisions, a new course on Fluid Power Technology was proposed by FPTS, for Trainee Scientific Officers (TSOs), HBNI M.Tech and PhD students, and BARC officers/ employees. The course was proposed this year and it was approved by HBNI. Hydraulic training courses are offered by several Indian and international fluid power and pneumatic component manufacturers. But their course contents are limited only to introduction, selection, application and troubleshooting of their own manufacturing range of components. Manufacturers who are not manufacturing precision integrated hydraulic circuit components are imparting training only to their stack components or standard valves. Our course is unique in that sense, since we have not restricted ourselves to any single vendor or supplier but a wide range of suppliers like Rexroth, Parker, Vickers, Eaton, Danfoss, and Kawasaki etc. Our course content covers all types of components being used in hydraulic systems and as per the latest trends in the fluid power industry including imported items from various countries like Italy, Japan, Sweden,

ISSUE NO. 315 JULY - AUG. 2010

Hydrauliv Motor Test Set-up

Rotary Actuator Test Set-up

Dehydration unit

Students performing the experiments in the Fluid Power Lab, Hall-3

ISSUE NO. 315 JULY - AUG. 2010

NEWS AND EVENTS

99

BARC NEWSLETTER BARC NEWSLETTER

NEWS AND EVENTS

Germany, Denmark, France and other European countries. Integrated circuits, proportional valves, their varieties, servo valves, direct drive valves etc. The main aim of the course is to familiarize the students with the subject and various types of designs of same function performing components and analysis of hydraulic systems. The course content was prepared keeping in mind the background knowledge to fluid mechanics. The course covers basics fluid power technology, hydraulic & pneumatic circuit design, sizing of hydraulic components, advanced hydraulic circuits

& electro-hydraulic servo controls, water hydraulics, analysis of hydraulic circuits and 12 experiments in hydraulics and pneumatics etc. The power point lecture presentations with audio-visuals and animated pictures; lecture notes in form of e-books and experimental manuals were prepared and handed over to HBNI for students reference. A total 30 lectures were delivered at HBNI and 12 experiments were conducted at the Fluid Power Lab, Hall-3. Officers from Fluid Power and Tribology Section delivered the lectures and guided the students for carrying the experiments.

100

ISSUE NO. 315 JULY - AUG. 2010