Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Introduction
• Any hydraulic system is associated with a major problem, that is, leakage. This
reduces efficiency and
• increases the power losses. Hence, sealing devices play a vital role in a hydraulic
system by increasing the
• efficiency and decreasing the power losses. Leakage can be overcome by proper
maintenance of the
• system and proper selection of seals and sealing at the design stage.
Leakage Classification :
1. Internal leakage:
This occurs in hydraulic components built with operating clearances. Moving parts
need to be lubricated and leakage path may be designed solely for this purpose.
Internal leakage does not cause loss of fluid because the fluid returns to the reservoir.
This leakage increases the clearances between mating parts due to wear. If the entire
system leakage becomes large enough, the actuators do not operate properly.
Continued…
2. External leakage
External leakage represents loss of fluid from the system. It also represents a safety
hazard. Improper assembly of pipe fittings is the most common cause of external
leakage. Over-tightened fittings may become damages or vibrations can cause
properly tightened fittings to become loose. Failure to connect drain lines,
excessive operating pressure and contamination might cause the fluid to externally
leak.
Functions of Seals
1. They prevent leakage – both internal and external.

2. They prevent dust and other particles from entering into the system.
3. They maintain pressure.
4. They enhance the service life and reliability of the hydraulic system.
Classification of
Hydraulic Seals :
1. According to the method of sealing:
• Positive sealing: A positive seal prevents even a minute amount of oil from
getting past. A positive seal does not allow any leakage whatsoever (external or
internal).
• Non-positive sealing: A non-positive seal allows a small amount of internal
leakage, such as the clearance of the piston to provide a lubrication film.
2. According to the relative motion existing
between the seals and other parts:
• Static seals: These are used between mating parts that do not move relative to one
another. Typical examples are flange gaskets and seals, o-rings, etc. These are relatively
simple. They are essentially non-wearing and usually trouble-free if assembled
properly.
• Dynamic seals: These are assembled between mating parts that move relative to each
other. Hence, dynamic seals are subject to wear because one of the mating parts rubs
against the seal.
3. According to geometrical cross-section:
• O-ring seal: O-ring is the most widely used seal for hydraulic systems. It is a
moulded synthetic rubber seal that has a round cross-section in its free state. O-
ring can be used for the most static and dynamic conditions. It gives effective
sealing through a wide range of pressures, temperatures and movements with
the added advantages of sealing pressure in both directions and providing low
running friction on moving parts.
V-ring seal and U-ring seal:
• V- and U-ring seals are compression-type seals used in virtually in all types of
reciprocating motion applications. These include piston rods and piston seals in
pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder, press rank, jacks and seals on plungers and
piston in reciprocating pumps. They are also readily suited to certain slow rotary
applications such as valve stems. These packings (which can be moulded into U-
shapes as well as V-shapes) are frequently installed in multiple quantities for
more effective sealing.
T-ring seal:
• T-ring seal isa dynamic seal that is extensively used to seal cylinder-pistons,
piston rods and other reciprocating parts. It is made of synthetic rubber molded
in the shape of the cross-section Tandreinforced by backup rings on either side as
shown in Fig. 1.5. The sealing edge is rounded and seals very much like an O-
ring.
Piston cup packings:
• Piston cup packings are designed specifically for pistons in reciprocating pumps and
pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders. They offer the best service life for this type of
application, require a minimum recess space and minimum recess machining, and
can be installed easily and quickly. In fastening the fabricated cup packing on the end
of the piston, it is recommended that some provision be made to prevent the full
pressure load from being taken on the bottom of the cup. The packing shown in Fig.
1.6 is single acting, while that shown in Fig. 1.7 is double acting. Piston shoulder K
should be 0.127mm less than the nominal thickness of the packing.
Piston rings:
• Piston rings are seals that are universally used for cylinder pistons. Metallic
piston rings are made of cast iron or steel and are usually plated or given an
outer coating of materials such as zinc phosphate or manganese phosphate to
prevent rusting and corrosion. Piston rings offer substantially less opposition to
motion than synthetic rubber (elastomer) seals. Their extremely low coefficient
of friction (0.04) permits them to be run completely dry and at the same time
prevents scoring of the cylinder walls. This type of piston ring is an ideal
solution to many applications where the presence of lubrication can be
detrimental or even dangerous. For instance, in an oxygen compressor, just a
trace of oil is a fire or explosion hazard.
Wiper rings and Scrapper rings:
• They are seals designed to prevent foreign abrasive or corrosive materials from
entering a cylinder. They are not designed to seal against pressure. They provide
assurance against rod scoring and add materiality to packing life. A number of
ways in which wiper rings can be assembled into a cylinder. The wiper ring is
molded from a synthetic rubber, which is stiff enough to wipe all dust or dirt
from the rod yet pliable enough to maintain a snug fit. The rings are easily
installed with a snap fit into a machined groove in the gland. This eliminates the
need for and expense of a separate retainer ring.
4. According to the type of seal material used:
• Hydraulic seals may be classified according to the type of seal material used.
Seals are manufactured from a variety of natural and synthetic materials. Earlier
leather, cork and impregnated fibers were used in hydraulic systems. But
nowadays, these are replaced by plastic and synthetic rubber materials.
Synthetic rubbers (elastomers) are compatible with oil.
• Eg: Neoprene (chloroprene), Buna-N, (Teflon), Tetrafluoroethylene, Viton.

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Introduction

1. They prevent leakage – both internal and external.

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