Exploring Technology
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Hydraulics Questions and Activity
Procedure: Start by answering the hydraulics and pneumatics questions from the Hydraulics web pages then
continue on to the activity and experiments.
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Fluid Power
(http://web.mac.com/dwyertech/heymrdwyer/Intro_to_Fluid_Power.html )
1. Name the two types of fluid power systems.
2. Hydrodynamics is the branch of fluid power concerned with the generation of
3. Hydrostatics is the branch of fluid power dealing with the transfer of
confined fluid.
4. Pneumatic systems use
and hydraulic systems use
.
between components through a
.
5. Pascal’s Law states: “The pressure put upon an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally in
without loss, and it acts with
intensity upon equal surfaces.”
6. John Braham invented the
directions
in 1795.
7. List three different applications of hydraulic power.
8. List three different applications of pneumatic power.
9. List one application an air-over-oil system.
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Lesson 2 - Scientific Principles of Fluids
(http://web.mac.com/dwyertech/heymrdwyer/Scientific_Principles_of_Fluids.html)
1. Force can be defined as a
or a
2. If a force is applied to the end of a
.
, the force passes straight through to the other end.
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3. When a force is applied to a hydraulic system, the force is transmitted in
system.
4. When force is applied to a hydraulic system, pressure is
direction throughout the
everywhere in the fluid.
5. When a force is applied to a pneumatic system, the force is transmitted in
system.
direction throughout the
6. The major difference between hydraulics and pneumatics is that gases can be
7. The
a lot and liquids cannot.
of energy law of physics states that energy can be neither created or destroyed.
8. Energy equals
times
.
9. If two pistons have the same area, the force applied to one piston will
piston.
10. A large piston moving a short distance will move a small piston a
the force output of the other
.
Lesson 3 – Introduction to Hydraulics
(http://web.mac.com/dwyertech/heymrdwyer/How_Hydraulics_Work.html)
1. When would a hydraulic system rather than a pneumatic system be used?
2. The
holds the supply of fluid in a hydraulics systems.
3. List three factors, which determine the strength of hydraulic pipe or tubing.
4.
are used to connect the parts of a fluid power system.
5. A
6.
pushes the fluid through a hydraulic system.
control the fluid in a fluid power system.
7. The output of a fluid power system is called an
8. A
9. An
.
acting cylinder may move under the pressure in one direction only.
stores fluid under pressure in a hydraulic system.
10. List three purposes of hydraulic fluid.
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Activity: You and your partner will be working on the hydra basics trainer.
Experiment #1
Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #1. After all the connections have been made,
move the joystick of the directional valve up and down.
Questions:
1. What does the pressure gauge read on the pressure regulator?
2. What does the pressure gauge reading drop down to when the directional valve? (This drop
will only be for a split second)
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Experiment #2
Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #2. After all the connections have been made,
move the joystick of the directional valve up and down. Now slowly turn the adjustment knob on the Flow
Control valve clockwise until it stops and counterclockwise until stops. Repeat this a few times and observe the
impact on Cylinder 2.
Question:
1. How does the Flow Control valve effect the action of Cylinder 2?
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Experiment #3
Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #3 Figure 1. After all the connections have
been made, move the joystick of the directional valve up and down. Operate the circuit several times and
observe the speed that Cylinder 2 extends and retracts.
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Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #3 Figure 2. After all the connections have been made,
move the joystick of the directional valve up and down. Operate the circuit several times and observe the speed
that Cylinder 1 extends and retracts.
Questions:
1. Based on your observations of Cylinder 1 and Cylinder 2, which cylinder extended and
retracted the fastest?
2. Why is there a difference in speed?
3. Now determine which cylinder is more powerful. Using the circuit from figure 2, extend the
cylinder all the way out. Now try to lightly push the cylinder back in again with your finger.
Please do not push with all your might.
Next
Using the circuit from figure 1, extend the cylinder all the way out. Now try to lightly push
the cylinder back in again with your finger. Please do not push with all your might.
4. Which Cylinder was the hardest to push back in and therefore it would be the most powerful?
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5. What have you determined about the size of the cylinder and the power or strength of a
cylinder?
Experiment #4
Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #4. After all the connections have been made,
move the joystick of the directional valve up and down.
Questions:
1. Describe the action between Cylinder 1 and Cylinder 2?
2. How might this type of circuit be useful on an assembly line?
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Experiment #5
Pascal’s Law states “the pressure put upon an enclosed fluid (liquid or gas) is transmitted equally in all
directions without loss, and it acts with equal intensity upon all equal surfaces”.
Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #5 Figure 1.
Question:
1. Move the Directional Valve to retract Cylinder 1 and make the green Flow Indicator pop up.
What does the Inline Pressure Gauge read?
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Set up the circuit shown on the page labeled Experiment #5 Figure 2.
Questions:
2. Move the Directional Valve to retract Cylinder 1 and make the green Flow Indicator pop up.
What does the Inline Pressure Gauge read?
3. Based on questions 1 and 2, what have you determined about the pressure throughout the
circuit?
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