Industrial Applications of Fluid Power - Assignment Example

Industrial Applications of Fluid Power By Name Presented to Instructor Course Institution, State Due Date Task 1a Sketch all 10 of the following and briefly describe only (7 of your individual choice). You are to use correct symbols and terminology. 1) 3/2 spring return operated by push button The 3/2 spring return that is operated by push button is assembled in a polymer housing. It has unit that is on top of a profile plate, which is mounted by fast releasing detent system using the lever. It has valve, which is normally actuated through pressing of pushbutton. Upon releasing the pushbutton the valves returns to its normal position through the return spring. 2) 5/2 Pilot Operated DCV A 5/2 piloted operated DCV is made of five ports and two spool positions. This operated DCV has a spool inside a cylinder that is mechanically or electrically controlled. Through the movement of the spool, there is restriction or permission of the flow hence the fluid flow is generally controlled. 3) 5/3 Pilot operated spring return to centre (all ports closed) DCV The 5/3 pilot operated spring return to center is made up of three position valves that have a normal central position which are usually set by springs or using the manual control like the lever. The flow pattern that is positioned centrally varies depending on the type. The various types which are considered include the ports which are sealed, the outlets that go to the exhaust and supply sealed and lastly is the supply to both outlets and the sealed exhausts. 4) Dual Pressure Valve ( “&” function/gate) The dual pressure valve is made up of the push-in elbow fittings that are mounted on a function plate. Usually, the unit is mounted on the profile plate and this is done through a quick release detent system using a lever. The functioning is such that the dual-pressure valve is switched through upon application of the signals in both the inputs 1. In instances where there is application of different pressures to the two inputs, then the lower pressure gets to the output 2. 5) One Way Flow Restrictor One-way flow restrictors are instrumental in adjusting the velocity of any mechanism. Usually, the flow restrictor valves can easily be adjusted when there is high pressure and this is mainly because of the balance on structure of the design, which is used in adjusting the mechanism speed. The device is known to integrate both the adjustable restriction needle valve in one way and the free flow being on the opposite side or way. Usually, it helps in the control of the speeds of opening or closure and in the end achieves stabilization of the operation of the main valve. 6) Air service unit The air service unit is basically made up of different things and some of them include compressed air filter which has water separation (Kimura et al., 1997). There is also the compressed air regulator and the compressed air lubricator. The service function is designed to help in provision of pneumatic system using a well cleaned, lubricated and some regulation of compressed air. Further, it helps in the elimination of most of these contaminants like water, compressor oil, pipe scale, rust, dirt and other materials considered foreign. Without any doubt, an inefficient system that is put in place results in higher costs for every unit of air that is compressed, improper or erratic operation of tools, short component life, reduction in capacity and lastly the formation of rust and sludge in most parts of the main and the branch lines. 7) 5/2 Solenoid operated DCV A 5/2 way directional valve as the name suggest has 5 ports that are equally spaced and together with it there are 2 flow positions. Usually, it is helpful in the isolation and simultaneous bypass of the passageway for the fluid that for instance may retract or extend a double acting cylinder. In the solenoid valve, a lever can be manually twist, pinch to actuate the valve, or even the internal, external hydraulic, or the pneumatic pilot to ensure that the shaft moves inside. This at times happens with a return in spring on one end such that it is in a position to getting back to the original position in case the pressure is gone. Task 1 b Fluid power refers to the use of fluids that are under pressure and they are instrumental in the generation, control, and transmission of power (Esposito, 2000). Normally, fluid power is divided into different categories and some of these categories include hydraulics that uses liquid like mineral oil or water and the pneumatics, which use gas like air or other gases. The compressed-air and the water pressure at one time were instrumental in the transmission of power from a central source right to the industrial users over some defined geographic areas, today, there is the use of fluid power systems that are in most cases within a particular building or even a mobile machine (Kimura et al., 1997). In choosing fluid power for a system, the cost, precision, and safety are key. When choosing between the hydraulics and pneumatics, one looks at the specified force that is required. Pneumatics are employed in various systems including air brakes on buses and trucks, air compressors, dental drill, air piano among others (Belgharbi et al., 1999). Hydraulics on the other hand are used in lifts, cranes and capstans among others. Merits Pneumatics The pneumatics have simplicity in terms of design and control given that the machines are easily designed using the well designed and recommended cylinders and other components which operate through a simple on-off control. The pneumatic systems are reliable and most cases they are known to have long operative lives and do not need regular maintenance. Given that the gas is normally compressible, the equipment used is less subjected to shock damage. There is absorption of excessive force while for the fluid in hydraulics force is directly transferred. Compressed gas can also be stored and this allows the machines to run for some time when electrical power is lost. Also, these systems are preferred due to their safety. Usually, they stand low chances of catching fire in comparison to the hydraulic oil. The new machines are also known to be safe in terms of the overload. Hydraulics The liquid used in the systems cannot absorb any of the energy, which is supplied. The liquids are also able of moving higher loads and then providing the higher forces given their compression levels (Kimura et al., 1997). Further, the hydraulic working fluid is known to be incompressible and this leads to less action of the spring. Upon the stoppage of hydraulic fluid flow any small motion of the load then leads to release of the pressure on the load. This system is designed in a manner that there is no need to bleed off any pressurized air to release the pressure that is on the load. Task 1c When installing, there is need to connect that all the connection parts are rightly assembled and it is critical also to check the orientation of the clip. In case the connection is incorrect then one cannot guarantee the tightness of the connection. Prior to inserting the tube in the fitting, there is need to rotate the coupling ring against the tooth that is known to be antiscrew until nor further rotation can occur (Belgharbi et al., 1999). The tube also has to be fit in until the tube cannot go any further, this will form the L-shape as shown on one side of the diagram. This same process is to repeated for the other side too till the service system is set up. Task 1 d 1. Pneumatic accumulator/reservoir This is a reservoir that is used to store pressure and which there is non-compressible hydraulic fluid that is held using some pressure through force that is external. The external source in this case could be spring, weight that is raised or even a compressed gas. 2. Hydraulic reservoir Hydraulic reservoir is more than just place to keep fluid. A well-designed reservoir ensures heat dissipation, allows time for contamination to get out of the fluid, and provides a chance for air bubbling as they come to the surface. 3. Fluid power pumps Fluid power pumps are forms of hydraulic pumps that use fluids and has mechanical source of power that ensures the conversion of mechanical power to hydraulic power. 4. Fluid power motors Fluid power motors is a form of hydraulic motor that helps in the transformation of fluid energy to the rotary mechanical power that is to load through the shaft. Bibliography Belgharbi M, Sesmat S, Scavarda S, Thomasset D. Analytical model of the flow stage of a pneumatic servo-distributor for simulation and nonlinear control. InScandinavian international conference on fluid power 1999 (pp. 847-860). Esposito A. Fluid power with applications. Prentice-Hall International; 2000. Kimura T, Hara S, Fujita T, Kagawa T. Feedback linearization for pneumatic actuator systems with static friction. Control engineering practice. 1997 Oct 31;5(10):1385-94. Read More