ME 228

Pneumatics & Hydraulics

Diploma programme
COURSE POLICY

C.K.K SEKYERE (PhD)

Department of Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering, KNUST

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 COURSE POLICY:
COURSE: ME 228 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS
COURSE LECTURER: DR. C.K. K SEKYERE
COURSE OUTLINE AND POLICY, 2018

Course outline: Application of hydraulics (mobile and stationary hydraulics),

application of pneumatics, fluid power systems, pressure and force, flow, fluid
selection, hydraulic fluid safety, symbols and circuit diagrams, general rules, colour
coding, hydraulic and pneumatic power systems, classifications, pump selection factors,
data from manufacturer, reserviour, compressors, actuators, cylinders, seals and
bearings, buckling, cushioning, hydraulic and pneumatic valves, accumulators,
contaminants, filters, mufflers, pressure gauges, temperature gauges, intensifiers, circuit
design, CAD packages, maintenance and safety, tools, records, troubleshooting,
remedies chart
1. TWO (2) SETS OF HOME-WORK PROBLEMS - will be assigned to you over the
semester on the following dates: All assignments shall be considered as assigned on the
date of receipt of your course handout. These homework problems will be assigned from
the set of tutorial problems in the handout as detailed in the handout.
(ii)The Homework problems are detailed as follows:
(a)Assignment 1: to be specified later
(b)Assignment 2: to be specified later

Last Dates for submission of Assignments 1 and 2, shall be June 9 and 10 of 2018

4. Quizzes (10 marks):

One (1) quiz of duration of 30 minutes will be administered during the programme, in order to
highlight key points and test the understanding and promote individual participation in
lectures.
7. Participation
You are encouraged to ask questions during lectures regarding aspects of reading,
homework or lecture material that is unclear to you. You may be called upon to answer
questions during lectures, comment on problem solutions, and/or lead discussions
related to the lecture material.
8. Final Examination
A final examination given at the end of the course will cover all materials (main and
supplementary materials) assigned or provided through the course. It will be closed
book examination lasting three (3) hours. All questions in section A of the final
examination will be compulsory. In section B, you will be required to answer two
out of three problems.
9. Grading
The following gives the weighting of the various items to be used in the determination
of grades for the course: Homework Problems: 5 %; Quizzes 10 %; Mid-semester 20 %;
Attendance at lectures 5 %; Final Examination 60 %.
Introduction

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Log Splitter

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 Backhoe

Excavator

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 Forklift
 Tilt Cylinders - are hydraulic cylinders that are mounted to the truck frame and the mast. The
tilt cylinders pivot the mast to assist in engaging a load.
 The Mast - is the vertical assembly that does the work of raising and lowering the load. It is
made up of interlocking rails that also provide lateral stability. The interlocking rails may either
have rollers or bushings as guides. The mast is either hydraulically operated by one or more
hydraulic cylinders or it may be chain operated with a hydraulic motor providing motive power. It
may be mounted to the front axle or the frame of the forklift.
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 Hydraulic Drill

Hydraulic Jack 10
Sky-tram

Sky tram is unique. It is self-propelled and

travels on a stationary cable. Because the
tram moves instead of the cable, the
operator can stop, start, and reverse any
one car completely independently of any
other car in the tram system. Integral to
the design of the Sky-tram drive is a pump
(driven by a standard eight-cylinder
gasoline engine) which supplies
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pressurized fluid to four hydraulic motors.
Pneumatic Drill

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 Hydraulic Stacker
Hydraulic Press

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 Fluid Power
• Technology that deals with generation, control and
transmission of power, using pressurized fluids
• Both Hydraulics and Pneumatics are Fluid Power
systems
• Hydraulics – when the fluid is liquid (petroleum oils,
synthetic oils and water).
• Pneumatics – when the fluid is gas (air - very abundant
and can be readily exhausted into the atmosphere
after completing task)

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Fluid Power

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Fluid Power

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 Application of Hydraulics

Mobile Hydraulics Stationary Hydraulics

Using manual Using electro-

hydraulics to control hydraulics to control
•Crane •Press machine
•Excavator •Molding machine
•Back-hoe •Lathe machine
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 Advantages of using Hydraulics

1. Very high force despite small components (if

pneumatics, bigger components are needed for
high force, thus, incur high cost as well as wastage
of compressed air)
2. Very slow and linear movements (if pneumatics,
too slow will create jerking on the cylinder)
3. Very exact positioning (stops exactly on a point).
Compared to pneumatics, there’s a tolerance and
if a load is given, it will move a little.
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 Advantages of using Hydraulics

4. Start-up under heavy loads (Possible to start the

motor & process a job with a load attached to
it. This is because there is oil in the actuator
though the pump is idling).
5. Simplicity, safety, economy
In general, fluid power systems use fewer
moving parts than comparable mechanical or
electrical systems. Thus, they are simpler to
maintain and operate. This, in turn, maximizes
safety, compactness and reliability.

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 Disadvantages of using Hydraulics
1. Slow movement of actuators, heavy work is slower (Pneumatics
are faster)
2. Messy (Leakage may occur and if not bothered, the surrounding
area could be messy. However, constant cleaning could avoid
messy.)
3. heavier equipment
4. Dangerous!
i. It produces extreme pressure and if there’s a leakage, oil will be
forced out. Stopping the flow with bare hand would result in a
punctuated wound.
ii. While in process, oil became hot and flammable (though not
easily happened). Therefore, it is advisable to control the
temperature by limiting it (turning off the machine if the limit is
exceeded). 21
Applications of Pneumatics
•Paintball Guns
•Torque Wrenches
•Nail Guns
•Truck Suspensions
•Automotive Air Bag

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Advantages of Pneumatics

•only one power source is required

•endless supply of air
•relatively clean depending on the
environment
•able to operate at high speeds
•lighter component weights

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Disadvantages of Pneumatics

•not capable of heavy work

•construction crews rarely fix air leaks
•there is a minor loss of energy due to
friction and exhausting
•higher operating costs with electric
compressors

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Fluid Power Systems

Power Supply Control System Work Actuator

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 Components of Hydraulic Systems
All industrial hydraulic systems will have:
 A fluid, usually oil.

 A tank, or reservoir, to hold a

supply of the fluid.

 A pump to cause the fluid to flow.

 An electric motor, or engine, to

drive the pump.

 Hoses or tubing to carry the fluid.

 Valves to control fluid flow,

direction and pressure.

 One or more actuators, usually cylinders or hydraulic motors, to

do the work where mechanical movement occurs.
Next >
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 Basic Principles
Pressure and Force
Pressure is defined as force per unit area.
Hence, pressure is the amount of force acting over
a unit area

Pressure (P) = Force (F) / Area (A)

Example of P at 100 kPa and A at 20 m²,

F = P x A, so F = 100 kPa x 20 m²
F = 2000 kN.
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Example

• A lift is to raise a load of 15kN and is to have a system

pressure of 75 bar. How large does the piston surface
need to be?

Solution:
P = F/A
A = F/P
= 15000N/(75x105 Pa)
= 0.002 m2

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 Basic working principle
• Hydraulic systems operate according to
Pascal's Principle - Pressure is
transmitted undiminished in an
enclosed static fluid.

• Illustration of force multiplication by

applying pressure according to Pascal's
principle, which for the two pistons
implies
P1 = P2

• Therefore, with the automatic hydraulic

lift, heavy load can be lifted with a
small force. Of course, assuming in an
ideal case with no frictional loss, work
cannot be multiplied:
Winput = Woutput Slide-30
 Flow
• Flow is the movement of a hydraulic fluid caused by a
difference in the pressure at two points.
• In a hydraulic system, flow is usually produced by the
action of a hydraulic pump- a device used to continuously
push on a hydraulic fluid.
• The two ways of measuring flow are velocity and flow
rate.
 Flow Rate
• Flow rate is the measure of how much volume of a liquid
passes a point in a given time.
• Flow rate determines the speed at which a load moves
and, therefore, is important when considering power.
Pressure Transfer
Medium
 Pressure Transfer Medium
• There are 2 media types
• Liquid
• Gas
• Form of liquid used
• Oil, when surrounding is not hot (car brake system)
• Water, when surrounding is hot / very hot. To avoid corrosion
and to have better lubrication, water is usually mixed with some
additives (food processing, semiconductor process, paper
manufacturing, construction works, medical and welfare
appliances).

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 Physical differences between liquids and gases

Parameter Liquid Gas

Volume Has its own volume Volume is determined

by container

Shape Takes shape of container Expands to completely

but only to its volume fill and take the shape
of the container

Compressibility Incompressible for most Readily compressible

engineering applications

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 Hydraulic Fluids
The primary purpose of hydraulic fluid is to transmit force from one
place to another. However, hydraulic fluids are also required to:

 Lubricate contact surfaces within

the system.
 Provide sealing of components,
where tight clearances are
involved.
 Remove heat generated within the
system.
 Protect system components against rust, oxidation and
corrosion.
 Prevent foaming when subjected to turbulence.
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 Hydraulic Fluids
When selecting a hydraulic fluid for an application, consideration must
be given to the pressure, temperature and materials of the system.

Improper selection can lead to:

 Inadequate system
performance.
 Premature failure of
components.
 The potential for fire.

 Environmental pollution in
the event of loss of
containment.
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Hydraulic Fluids
The main types of hydraulic fluid are:

Petroleum based fluids:

Most common type of fluid.

Synthetic fire resistant fluids:

Used where fire hazards or
environmental pollution are a concern.
Water based fire resistant fluids:
Used where fire hazards or
environmental pollution are a concern.

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Hydraulic Fluid Safety
Generally, hydraulic fluid:

 Can cause skin and eye irritation.

 Can cause medical problems. If

ingested; seek medical attention
immediately.
 May cause medical problems, if
repeatedly inhaled.
 May be corrosive.

 Must be disposed of according

to Environmental regulations.

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 Assignment 1
1. Define the term fluid power
2. Differentiate between fluid transport and fluid power systems
3. Differentiate between hydraulics and pneumatics
4. List the six basic components used in a hydraulic systems
5. List the six basic components used in a pneumatic systems
6. Find F1 and S1 as indicated in Fig. Q.6

F2= 10 kN
d2= 3 m
d1= 0.5 m
S2= 0.5m
Fig. Q.6 F1 = ?
S1 = ? 40
S1

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