Introduction to Basic Hydraulics
Experiment 1-1
How to Use this Workbook
The workbook is broken down into 3 Units
and 19 experiments, each experiment
having one or more parts.
Each experiment has objectives that should
be read prior to reading and performing the
experiment.
At the end of each experiment section there
will be questions in the section called “check
out activities” and these should be
completed following the experiment.
How to Perform the Experiments
Students will work in groups of 2 or 3.
Each person in each group should take turns in
reading directions, building circuits, and recording
information as the experiment proceeds.
Prior to performing the experiment, each student
should read the background information section,
including the objectives, and read through the
experiment to be familiar with it which will ensure
success.
Introduction to Basic Hydraulics
Objectives
1. Describe the operation of a basic hydraulic system
2. Explain where and why Hydraulics is used in industry.
3. Describe the operation of components used in a basic hydraulic
system.
What is Fluid Power?
Fluid power is the engineering science and technology that
deal with the generation of, control, and transmission of
energy through the use of pressurized fluids. Fluid power is
quite literally the “brute force” behind industry because it is
used to push, pull, drive, and regulate virtually all machines
used in industry. Fluid power is used in the steering, brake
system, and automatic transmissions of cars and trucks. In
addition to the automotive industry, fluid power is used to
control airplanes and spacecraft, harvest crops, mine coal,
drive machine tools, and process food. Since fluids exist as
either a liquid or a gas, fluid power is a term used to describe
both hydraulics and pneumatics.
Advantages of Fluid Power
1. Very Accurate.
2. Power
3. Cost effective.
4. Multi-Speed Capable
5. Multi-Motion Capable
6. Unlimited Conductive Geometry
7. Can be stalled out
8. Compact
Basic Hydraulic System
Basic Hydraulic System
1. Reservoir
2. Pump
3. Electric Motor (prime mover)
4. Valves
5. Conductors (pipe, tubing, and hose)
6. Actuators
Basic Pneumatic System
1. Receiver
2. Compressor
3. Electric Motor (prime mover)
4. Valves
5. Conductors (pipe, tubing, and hose)
6. Actuators
Schematic Symbols
Check Out Activities
1. What are the two types of fluid power systems?
2. How is energy transmitted in a fluid power system?
3. Name the most common form of energy generated (used) by
power plants. Why?
4. What does a hydraulic system do? (What is its purpose?)
5. Name two advantages a hydraulic system has when compared to a
pneumatic system.
6. Name six advantages a hydraulic system has when compared to an
electric system.
Check Out Activities
7. Which method or methods of control would you consider best
for the following machine applications? (Hydraulic, Pneumatic,
Electric)
A. Machine Press generating
_______________
B. 40,000 RPM drill used in dentist’s _______________
C. Constant speed conveyor.
_______________
D. Operating airplane steering.
_______________
8. Name two kinds of hydraulic actuators and describe the type of
motion each produces.
9. What type of device is most often used in an industrial application
to drive the pump of a hydraulic system?
Check Out Activities
10. Maximum fluid pressure is one of three quantities controlled in
a hydraulic system. A relief valve is used to do this. Name two
other quantities that are controlled in a hydraulic system and the
device that controls each.
11. What do you think would happen to the hydraulic system if the
cylinder or motor encountered a load it could not move? Would this
be harmful?
12. What component holds excess oil?
13. What interconnects the components in a hydraulic system?
14. How is electrical power converted into hydraulic power?
15. Describe the operation of a basic hydraulic system.