ENT 367

COURSE CODE : ENT367

COURSE TITLE : FLUID POWER SYSTEM
UNIT : 3 (THREE)
TYPE : CORE
NAME: ENG SWEE KHENG
EMAIL: [email protected]
 Course Synopsis
• This course is designed to provide students with fundamentals
of fluid power systems, components, and devices specific to
industrial, commercial, and mobile power equipment
applications such as pumps, valves, actuators, electrical
controls, and troubleshooting techniques.
• It teaches the fundamentals of fluid power and provides details
on the design and operation of hydraulic and pneumatic
components, circuits, and systems.
• Students are expected to acquire knowledge of physical
behavior of pneumatics and hydraulics control system, the
pneumatics and hydraulics components and applications.
• Knowledge on theory acquired in lecture is also enhanced with
a practical work conducted in laboratory.
 Course Outcomes (COs)
CO 1 :
Ability to analyse the requirements and the
relationship between pressure, force and control
properties of pneumatics, hydraulic valves and
cylinders.
CO 2 :
Ability to design pneumatic and hydraulic system for
various applications.
CO 3 :
Ability to design and evaluate electro-pnematic and
electro-hydraulic system for various industrial
applications.
 Schedule
 Tutorial 1 (Week 3)
 Pre-Lab (Week 4)
 Lab 1 (Week 5)
 Tutorial 2 (Week 6)
 Lab 2 (Week 7)
 Tutorial 3 (Week 9)
 Lab 3 (Week 11)
 Tutorial 4 (Week 13)
 Lab 4 (Week 14)
 Topics

 Introduction of characteristics and

applications of fluid power system (w1).
 Review some fundamentals principles of pneumatics
and compress air.
 Introduction of components of a pneumatic
system (w2-w3)
 Describe the principles of compress air and
distribution, pneumatics valves and cylinder.
Describe the symbols and standard in pneumatics
 Topics

 Introduction of pneumatic actuators and output

devices (w4-w5).
 Describe the linear cylinder characteristics and
constructions.
 Compute the relationship between air pressure, piston
forces and stroke length for different size of pneumatics
cylinder.
 Introduction of pneumatic directional control
valves (w6-w8).
 Review the valve configurations and constructions.
Describe the methods for developments and trouble
shooting of pneumatics system. Design the pneumatics
circuit for various applications.
 Topics

 Introduction of characteristics and applications

of fluid power system (w10-w11).
 Review some fundamentals principles of hydraulic
pressure. Analyse the relationship between hydraulics
pressure, forces and flow rate for hydraulics system.
 Introduction of electro-pneumatic and electro-
hydraulics controls (w12-w15).
 Describe the electromagnetic contactors, relays and
standard graphical symbols. Design the the
pneumatics/hydraulics connections diagram and
electrical wiring diagram for electro-pneumatics for
various industrial applications.
 Evaluation contribution:

(i)Examination: 70 %

Mid Term Examinations = 10 %

Final Examination = 60 %

(ii) Continual Assessment: 30 %

Quizzes
Assignment
Laboratory
 References
 James R. Daines: Fluid Power: Hydraulics and
Pneumatics, 2nd Edition,Prentice Hall, 2013
 Chris Stacey. (2009). “Engineering Application of
Pneumatics & Hydraulics” Butterworth-Heinemann.
 P. Crosser and F. Ebel (2010). “Pneumatics.”7th ed.
Festo Didactic GmbH & Co.
 J.P Hasebrink (2011). “Basic Pneumatics”.3rd Edition.
Bosch Rexroth AG.
 R. Balla (2010)”Electropneumatics.” 1st ed.
Mannesmann Rexroth Pneumatics GmbH.
 Other …
 Chapter 1 ‐ Part A :
Introduction of characteristics and 
applications of fluid power system
 Introduction of Transmission Power       
System 
Three basic methods of transmitting power
1. Mechanical

Power
2. Electrical
System
3.Pneumatic
Fluid Power
4. Hydraulic

In practice, most application actually use the

combination of the three methods to achieve the most
efficient overall system.
 Introduction of Transmission Power       
System (cont.)
Comparison of Power Systems 
 Introduction of Transmission Power       
System (cont.)
 Fluid power is the method of using pressurized
fluid to transmit energy.
 Liquid or Gas is referred to as a fluid.
Accordingly, there are two branches of fluid
power; Pneumatics, and Hydraulics.
 Hydraulic systems use liquid to transfer force
from one point to another.
 Pneumatic systems use air to transfer force
from one point to another.
 Introduction of Transmission Power       
System (cont.)
 Air is Compressible:
(This describes whether it is possible to force an
object into a smaller space than it normally
occupies. For example, a sponge is compressible
because it can be squeezed into a smaller size).

 liquid is Incompressible:
(The opposite to compressible. When a “squeezing”
force is applied to an object, it does not change to a
smaller size. Liquid, for example hydraulic fluid,
possesses this physical property).
Intoduction to Pneumatic :
Definitions & Principle
Definition
Greek pneuma = breath
The term pneumatics describes the use of
compressed air in drive and control
engineering.
The introduction of pneumatics into
mechanisation and automation began in
the middle of the 20th century.
 Definition &  Principle

PNEUMATICS
is application of compressed air (pressurized air) to power
machine or control or regulate machines
may be defined as branch of engineering science which
deals with the study of the behavior and application of
compressed air
can also be defined as the branch of fluid power
technology that deals with generation, transmission and
control of power using pressurized air
Gas in a pneumatic system behaves like a spring since it is
compressible.
 Application Areas

Areas of use
Nowadays, compressed air can be found in
almost all field of engineering, e.g.:

- Industry - Trade
- Rail transport - Air transport
- Motor vehicles - Mining
- Shipping - Medicine
- Construction - Defence
 Application Areas

Application Area Example
Generation of linear motion  clamping, feeding, lifting and 
lowering, opening & closing, 
pneumatic press, transfer table, 
tool loading, industrial robot, 
etc
Generation of rotary motion  screw drivers, grinders, tread 
cutters, drill, etc
Applications in control  sequence control, monitoring, 
locking, etc
Others workshop air, paint spraying, 
etc
 ADVANTAGES OF PNEUMATICS

• Air is available practically everywhere in unlimited

quantities.
• Air can be easily transport in pipelines, even over large
distance.
• Compressed air can be stored in a reservoir and removed
as required. In addition, the reservoir can be
transportable.
• Compressed air is relatively insensitivity to temperature
fluctuations. This ensure reliable operation, even under
extreme conditions
• Compressed air offers no risk of explosion or fire
• Unlubricated exhausted air is clean. Any unlubricated air
which escapes through leaking pipes does not cause
contamination
• Simple construction and relatively inexpensive.
• Very fast working medium and high working speed.
 DISADVANTAGES OF PNEUMATICS SYSTEM

•Suitable only for low pressure and hence low force applications
•Compressed air actuators are economical up to 50 kN only.
•Generation of the compressed air is expensive compared to
electricity
•Exhaust air noise is unpleasant and silence has to be used.
•Rigidity of the system is poor
•Air cannot seal the fine gaps between the moving parts unlike
hydraulic system
•Less precise. It is not possible to achieve uniform speed due to
compressibility of air
•Pneumatic systems is vulnerable to dirt and contamination
COMPARISON BETWEEN PNEUMATICS & HYDRAULICS SYSTEM

Hydraulic Pneumatic
It employs a pressurised liquid as fluid It employs a compressed gas usually air as a 
fluid
Oil hydraulics system operates at pressure up to  Pneumatics system usually operates at 5 to 
700 bar 10 bar
Generally designed for closed system Pneumatic systems are usually designed as 
open system
System get slow down of leakage occurs Leakage does not affect the system much 
more
Valve operation are difficult Easy to operate the valves
Heavier in weight Light in weight
Pump are used to provide pressurised liquids Compressors are used to provide compressed 
gas
System is unsafe to fire hazards System is free from fire hazards
Automatic lubrication is provided Special arrangements for lubrication needed
 Pneumatics Vs Other Drive Technology

Comparison of Electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic transmission systems

 Pneumatics Component Classification

Pneumatic circuit elements are classed into FIVE primary groups.

ELEMENT Example
1. AIR SUPPLY AND  Compressor, Receiver, Pressure 
CONDITIONING ELEMENTS  regulator, Filter, Dryer, Lubricator
2. INPUT ELEMENTS  Push‐button valve, Roller lever 
(electrical or pneumatic)  valves, Proximity switch
3. PROCESSING ELEMENTS Logic valves (And / Or, etc), 
Time delay valves,
Pressure control valves, Sequencer
4. CONTROL ELEMENTS  Directional control valves, 
throttle/choke valves
5. ACTUATING DEVICES/ POWER  Cylinders, Motors,
ELEMENT Semi‐rotary actuators
 Pneumatics Component Classifications

Power element
Control Element
Processing Element

Input Element

Supply Element
 Choice of Working Medium and System

•When the system requirement is high speed, medium pressure

(usually 6 to 8 bar) and less accuracy of position, then pneumatic
system is preferred.

•If the system requirement is high pressure and high precision, a

fluid system with oil is good.

•When the power requirement is high like in forging presses, sheet

metal press, it is impossible to use air system. Oil hydraulics is the
only choice

•Air is used where quick response of actuator is required.

 Choice of Working Medium and System

• If temperature variation range in the system is large, then the use of air
system may run into condensation problems and oil is preferred.

• If the application requires only a medium pressure and high positional

accuracy is required then hydro –pneumatic system is preferred

• Air is non-explosive, it is preferred where fire/electric hazard are

expected. Oil systems are more prone to fire and electrical hazards and
are not recommended in such applications.

• Because air contains oxygen (about 20%) and is not sufficient alone to
provide adequate lubrication of moving parts and seals, oil is usually
introduced into the air stream near the actuator to provide this lubrication
preventing excessive wear and oxidation.