ENGINEERING

Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Pneumatic Systems3

Introduction to Pneumatics3

Production and treatment of compressed air3

Compressed air tank5

Elements of pneumatic system5

Elements power generators6

Treating element fluids6

Controls and control6

Actuators6

Hydraulic Systems7

Introduction to hydraulics7

Hydropower production7

Components of a hydraulic system7

Non-adjustable Pumps8

Adjustable Pumps8

Pressure limiter hydraulic systems9

Two-pressure hydraulic circuits or coupled9

Basic hydraulic circuits10

Classification of hydraulic elements and parts10

Elements power generators11

Treating element fluids11

Controls11

Actuators11

Bibliography12

Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Pneumatic Systems

Introduction to Pneumatics

Pneumatics is the technology that uses compressed air as a means of transmission of energy in order to move and operate a mechanism. The Air is an elastic material. Therefore, by applying a force, it can be compressed so that it maintains this compression and returns the stored energy when allowed to expand as per the chemical composition of gases.

Production and treatment of compressed air

As a matter of fact, the compressed air also compresses all containing impurities such as dust, soot, grime, oil, germs and water vapor. These impure particles can come from the compressor such as wear powder abrasion, oils, aerosols, or residues and deposits of the pipework such as rust, welding residues and substances that may occur during assembly of pipes and fittings (Manring, 2005). These impurities can create larger particles (dust + oil) which in turn give rise to breakdowns possibly leading to the destruction of the pneumatic framework. Hence, it is vital to eliminate impurities in the air production processes, in the compressors, and in the preparation for direct feeding pneumatic devices (Manring, 2005).

From the point of view of prevention of occupational hazards, air oil containing exhaust can damage the health of the operators and is, hence, harmful to the environment. In the compressor, the air is heated so it is necessary to mount air cooling equipment immediately after the compressor has been used (Majumdar, 1995). The cooling is achieved in small compressors with cooling fins that are mounted on the cylinder. On the handle of radiating heat and in the higher compressors, an additional fan is installed which vents out heat and maintains the efficiency of the system. If not using an oil-free compressor, compressed air contains a mixture of air, oil and coarse particles which are to be drawn by a separator (Doddannavar & Barnard, 2005).

The point at which air is dried to get dew is quite lower than what the minimum temperature will be throughout the year in environment where the pneumatic equipment works. Drying takes place in the filter drier as this is the usual procedure for drying and absorption of the membranes (Manring, 2005). In the method of drying by cooling, the air decreases the effect of a forming condensed coolant and thereby decreases the water content in the air. In the adsorption dryer, the moisture is absorbed and dissolved with the help of a chemical substance. The chemical substance is a salt solution based on consumed NaCl rate of one pound of salt for every 13 kg of condensate so that must be replaced regularly (Doddannavar & Barnard, 2005). The system reaches a maximum condensing of -15 ...