Hydraulic System

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
The word “hydraulics” is based

on the Greek word for water and
originally meant the study of the
physical behavior of water at rest
and in motion.
INTRODUCTION
Hydraulics is the science relating to the behaviour of

liquids under various conditions, and in aircraft the
hydraulic system provides a means of operating large and
remote components that it would not be possible to
operate satisfactorily by other means. Aircraft systems
provide a means of power transmission through the
medium of hydraulics .
Pascal’s Law
• Blaise Pascal was a 17th century

mathematician who stated that:
“If a force is applied to a liquid in a
confined space, then this force
will be felt equally in all
. directions”.
Pascal’s Law
The force employed when a hydraulic
system is operated is caused by
“Pressure”.
This force is not delivered by the hydraulic
pump. Hydraulic pressure is created only
when an attempt is made to compress fluids,
therefore, if a flow of oil is pumped through
an open-ended tube there will be no
pressure, but, if the end of the tube is
blocked and the oil cannot escape, pressure
will at once build up.
Without some form of restriction there can be no pressure.

Hydraulic systems provide the power for the
operation of components such as :
• landing gear
• wheel brakes
• flaps
• flight controls
• windshield wipers
Hydraulic Fluid
• Hydraulic system liquids are used primarily to transmit and

distribute forces to various units to be actuated. Liquids are able
to do this because they are almost incompressible.
PROPERTIES OF HYDRAULIC FLUID
Viscosity
• One of the most important properties of any hydraulic fluid is

its viscosity. Viscosity is internal resistance to flow.
• A satisfactory liquid for a given hydraulic system must have
enough body to give a good seal at pumps, valves, and
pistons, but it must not be so thick that it offers resistance to
flow, leading to power loss and higher operating
temperatures. These factors add to the load and to excessive
wear of parts. A fluid that is too thin also leads to rapid wear
of moving parts or of parts that have heavy loads.
Viscosity
Chemical Stability
• It is the liquid’s ability to resist oxidation and

deterioration for long periods.
• All liquids tend to undergo unfavorable chemical changes
under severe operating conditions.
• Excessive temperatures have a great effect on the life of
a liquid.
It should be noted that the temperature of the liquid in the
reservoir of an operating hydraulic system does not always
represent a true state of operating conditions. Localized hot spots
occur on bearings, gear teeth, or at the point where liquid under
pressure is forced through a small orifice. Continuous passage of a
liquid through these points may produce local temperatures
high enough to carbonize or sludge the liquid, yet the liquid in the
reservoir may not indicate an excessively high temperature.
• Liquids may break down if exposed to air, water, salt, or other
impurities, especially if they are in constant motion or subject to
heat.
• These chemical processes result in the formation of sludge, gums,

and carbon or other deposits that clog openings, cause valves and
pistons to stick or leak, and give poor lubrication to moving parts.
As soon as small amounts of sludge or other deposits are formed,
the rate of formation generally increases more rapidly. As they are
formed, certain changes in the physical and chemical properties of
the liquid take place. The liquid usually becomes darker in color,
higher in viscosity, and acids are formed.
Flash Point
• Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid gives off

vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite momentarily or flash
when a flame is applied. A high flash point is desirable
for hydraulic liquids because it indicates good resistance
to combustion and a low degree of evaporation at
normal temperatures.
Fire Point
• Fire point is the temperature at which a substance gives

off vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite and continue to
burn when exposed to a spark or flame. Like flash point,
a high fire point is required of desirable hydraulic liquids.
The ideal properties of a hydraulic fluid are:
✓be relatively incompressible
✓have good lubricating properties for metal and rubber.
✓have good viscosity with a high boiling point (helps prevent vapour locking and
cavitation) and low freezing point e.g. temperature range +80°C to -70°C.
✓have a flash point above 100°C.
✓be non-flammable.
✓be chemically inert.
✓be resistant to evaporation.
✓have freedom from sludging and foaming.
✓have good storage properties.
✓be non-corrosive.
✓be reasonably priced and readily available.
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HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

The word “hydraulics” is based

Hydraulics is the science relating to the behaviour of

• Blaise Pascal was a 17th century

Without some form of restriction there can be no pressure.

• Hydraulic system liquids are used primarily to transmit and

• One of the most important properties of any hydraulic fluid is

• It is the liquid’s ability to resist oxidation and

• These chemical processes result in the formation of sludge, gums,

• Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid gives off

• Fire point is the temperature at which a substance gives

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