Hydraulic Power Units and Valves

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:42:36 EST

Hydraulics power units are one of the most important andwidely used methods of energy and mechanical transfer in the machining andindustrial fields. Briefly speaking, hydraulics uses energy from one locationand applies force in the end location by transferring the energy along anincondensable fluid.

The hydraulic systems are generally built to increase theamount of force that is applied throughout the unit, so the amount of force atthe final site is much greater than the amount of force that is initiallycreated by the power unit.

Fluid power is useful because it applies an evenpressure throughout the work piece, where a mechanical or electromechanicalpower unit tends to have more force, though the distribution of that force canvary greatly. Hydraulics is most useful in situations where another power unitmay be too bulky, or where an even pressure is necessary throughout operation.

Another advantage of hydraulic power is the fact that it canbe fitted to almost any production line, even if the production line is alreadycompleted and in operation. The construction of hydraulics allow an array ofvalves and shut-offs that can allow for several uses and sections within onesystem.

The reason that the hydraulic system is able to adapt tomany significantly differing applications is the usage of valves. Valves in thesystem are implemented to divert the flow of the fluid into a desired unit.

Thevalves are used in almost every hydraulic application, but there are of coursevariances in complexities of the valves. Most valves are labeled one to fourway valves. This describes the amount of channels that the valve is attachedto. A three way valve, for example, has three separate channels of diversion.

Another classification of hydraulic on/off valves is theterm solenoid. Solenoid valves are electronically operated by a foreman toswitch the valve from the on or off position. This type of valve has theadvantage of operation that is distinct from the flow of hydraulics, which ishow direct drive valves are operated.

Direct drive valves are constructed withcertain tolerances of pressure. When a direct drive valve is subjected to acertain amount of pressure, the drive switches to a different channel.

The hydraulic system is a complex power systemthat is advantageous because of the adaptability in the way the systemoperates. No other power system is so easily reconfigured and reformatted asthe fluid power system.

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Hydraulic Power Units and Valves