INTRODUCTION TO PNEUMATICS AND HYDRAULICS

Performance of various Industrial activities requires power, and such power must be generated and
transmitted to the final destination where it wilL be utilized in performing the required Industrial
activities. There are three methods through which power transmission could be done which are:
Mechanical transmission is through shafts, gears, chains, belts, etc.
Electrical transmission which involves generators, transformer, wires, contactors, relay and others
Fluid power which involves generation, control and transmission of power using the pressurized
fluids liquids which can be Liquid or Gas. Where by the system which transmits power using
pressurized Liquid is called Hydraulic system and that one which transmits power using
compressed Gas is called Pneumatic system. The terms Hydraulic and Pneumatics originated from
the Greek words Hydra and Pneuma which means water and air respectively.
Hydraulic systems are power-transmitting assemblies employing pressurized liquid as a fluid for
transmitting energy from an energy-generating source to an energy-using point to accomplish
useful work.

Simple circuit of a hydraulic system with basic components

A pneumatic system carries power by employing compressed gas, generally air, as a fluid for
transmitting energy from an energy-generating source to an energy-using point to accomplish
useful work.

Simple circuit of a hydraulic system with basic components

Basic principles and Equations governing the Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems are:
i. Pascal’s Law/principle
“The pressure exerted on a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished in all directions
and acts with equal force on equal areas and at right angles to the containing surfaces”.
Or
“In the confined fluid pressure is transmitted equally throughout all directions.

ii. Principle of conservation of Energy

“Energy can never be created nor destroyed but can be transformed from one state to
another”.

iii. Bernoulli’s principle

“Increase in the speed of fluid occurs simultaneously with decrease in its static
pressure/the fluid potential energy”.

iv. Continuity Equation

“A×V=constant”
where by A: Crossectional area of the vessel and V: Velocity of fluid

v. Torricelli’s Equation 𝑽 = √𝟐𝒈𝒉

where by v: velocity of fluid g: acceleration due to gravity and h:height of liquid column

Pascal’s Law/Principle and Force Multiplication

A Force is being applied to a piston, which in turn exerts a pressure on the confined fluid. The
pressure is equal everywhere and acts at right angles to the containing surfaces. Pressure is defined as
the force acting per unit area and is expressed as
Pressure P = F/A

where F is the force acting on the piston, A is the area of the piston and p is the pressure on
the fluid.
Since Pressure of the confined fluid acts with the uniform force on the uniform area perpendicular
to the direction of Force. It is possible to multiply Force through increasing Area of Upon which
the pressure will act. This is most useful feature of fluid power which is the Easyness of Force
Multiplication.
Force multiplication is of great essence in applications of Fluid power since it enables the Fluid
power systems to carry the heavy loads by the means of application of small amount of Force.It
is from this fact that Hydraulic systems becomes useful in applications requiring Large amount
of Forces.

Example 1
An Input cylinder with Diameter of 30 mm is connected to an output cylinder with a Diameter of
80mm.A Force of 1000N is applied to the Input cylinder.
(a)What is Output Force
(b)How far must the input cylinder move to move the Output Cylinder by 100mm.
From Pascal’s Law Presssure act with uniform Force upon uniform area
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
Hence Pressure = is constant
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
𝐹 F F
P=𝐴 P1 = A 1 P2 = A2
1 2
2
F1 = 1000N F2=? A1 = 𝜋𝑅1 𝐴2 = 𝜋𝑅22 R1 = 15mm R2=40mm

A1=3.14×15×15 A2=3.14×40×40
2 2
A1= 706.5mm A2=5024 mm
 1000 F
P1 = 706.5 P2 =5024
2

1000 F
= 2
706.5 5024

F2 = 7111.11N

Output Force is 7111.11 Newtons

In order to determine distance at which the input cylinder must move so as to Move the output
cylinder by 100mm the principle of Conservation of Energy has to be applied.
Energy supplied at the Input cylinder=Energy received at the Output cylinder
F1× d1= F2× d2
𝐹2×𝑑2
d1 = 𝐹1
7111.1 𝑁×100𝑚𝑚
d1 = 1000𝑁

d1 =711.11mm.
The input cylinder must move by 711.11mm
Example 2
A hydraulic lift has one piston of 8cm diameter and the other piston of 80cm diameter.
(a)What Force must be applied to the smaller piston to obtain a force of 15000N which is the
weight of the vehicle.
(b)How far will the vehicle move if the input piston move by 10 cm. [(a)1500N (b)1cm]
General advantages of Hydraulics and Pneumatics systems (Fluid power systems)
i. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems require no intermediate equipments like gears, levers
and cams for increasing Mechanical Advantage.
ii. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems have less wear and tear since they make use of fluids
which are not subject to breakage as compared to components of Mechanical system.
iii. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems have capacity of performing multi-function control as
a single pump or compressor can be used power multiple of actuators at once.
iv. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems offer Multiplication and Variation of Forces
v. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems operate at constant Torque/Force.
vi. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems have accurate and easy to control.
vii. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems have the overload protection capability as they make
use of safety valves which automatically releases Excess pressure which could damage
them.
viii. Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems provide wide variety of motion in both linear and
rotary transmission of power.

Advantages of Hydraulic systems

i. Hydraulic systems operate at much higher-pressure values compared to Pneumatic
system.
ii. Transmission of Force over distance and around corners with minimum Loss.
iii. Hydraulic systems have extreme flexibility in approach and control since wide range of
Force and speed could attained.
iv. Hydraulic systems have got quite and smooth operation.

Disadvantages of Hydraulic systems

i. Hydraulic systems are expensive.
ii. Hydraulic systems are susceptible to leakage and fire hazard.
iii. Hydraulic systems must be protected against rust, corrosion and dirt.
iv. Maintenance is required for the components exposed to dirt and bad weather conditions.
v. Adequate oil filtration is required.

Advantages of Pneumatic systems

i. Pneumatic systems have clean operation as they make use of compressed.
ii. Pneumatic systems are cheap.
iii. Ease of design and implementation.
iv. High reliability because of fewer components.
v. Compressed gas can be stored and used in the time of absence of Electric power.

Disadvantages of Pneumatic systems.

i. Low accuracy and difficult in control as air is compressible.
ii. Pneumatic system is noisy.
iii. Air leakage can be of concern.
iv. Pneumatic system requires regular calibration of component
Comparison of Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems
Hydraulic system Pneumatic system
1. Working fluid Uses pressurized oil as Uses compressed air as
working fluid working fluid
2. Working Operate at pressure up to Operate at pressure range
pressure level 700 bar of 5-10 bar
3. Speed control Easy to control speed Difficult to control speed
4. Stability Has high stability since oil Has low stability since air
is incompressible is compressible
5. Power Pumps Compressors
supplying
devices
6. Weight Components of Hydraulic Components of pneumatic
systems are heavy system are light
7. Element costs Its’ components are of Its’ components are of
Higher costs Lower costs

Comparison between Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems with other convectional Transmission
system
Electrical system Mechanical Hydraulic Pneumatic
system system system
Energy Electric cables Gears,levers, Pipes and hoses Pipes and hoses
Transfer and magnetic shafts,Belts
element fields
Energy Flow of electrons Rigid and elastic Hydraulic fluid Air
carrirer elements
Power to Fair Poor Best Best
weight ratio
Torque/Inertia Poor Fair Best Good
Dirt Best Best Fair Fair
sensitivity
Motion type Mainly rotary Mainly rotary Linear or rotary Linear or rotary
Relative cost Best Best Good Fair
Hydraulics Applications
 Automobiles
Brake and Suspension systems of vehicles
 Construction and Mining
Machines like tippers, excavators and others which require large forces in operations make use
of Hydraulic system
 Agriculture
Operation and control of various, Tractors Implements.
 Industrial
Hydraulic pressing, Ladle operation in foundry, Workpiece holding, Lifting and Transporting
 Aerospace
Operation of Landing gears, Brakes and Cargo Loading in Aerospace.
 Robotics
Hydraulic actuators are used in the Robotic applications requiring Large Forces.
 Marine
Hydraulic systems are used for lifting and carriage of heavy loads and performing various
actuation processes requiring large amount of Force.

Pneumatic Applications
 Industrial
Bottling and filling machines, Vacuum lifting of thin sheets, Material handling and others.
 Automotives
Air filling in the tyres, Automatic door opening Brake system of Trucks and Trains.
 Medical
Dental drill, Pneumatic bladders
 Robotics
Pneumatic Actuators are used to execute various tasks with in the Robotic systems.
Hydraulics
Pneumatics Applications