Web guest column: Fluid Power Tips, Issue 4: Can you handle the pressure? Editor's Note: This is part 1 in a two-part article on high-pressure hydraulic systems. Part 2 introduces safety concerns and tips on maximizing higher pressures.

By Josh Cosford, CFPHS
The Fluid Power House (Cambridge) Inc.


Do you think your hydraulic system is man enough to handle six Brock Lesnars, four Shaqs and five Aaron Gibsons all balancing on a pogo stick? For those not good with Google, I'll save you the work; that would be in the range of 5000 lb pressing down on one poor little square inch. If that doesn't impress you, what if I said a 2-in. bore cylinder could lift almost 16,000 lb with that kind of pressure?

The ability to transmit controlled fluid under pressure is what hydraulics are all about. Since back in the day (which was a Wednesday — fun fact), when fluid power was new, pressure was limited by design, materials and construction. Cylinder seals used to be made from leather. Today, our understanding of fluid mechanics combined with engineering prowess has lead to modern systems being able to handle higher and higher pressure.

There are some obvious benefits to increasing pressure in hydraulic systems, and it's a trend that's about to ramp up once again. The key advantage is the ratio of an actuator's force/torque to its size. As you increase pressure in any given actuator, its force output rises equal to its area/displacement times the pressure available to it. For example, one of those down and dirty non-brand-name orbital motors may be able to put out 12 hp at a lowly 1800 psi. A similar sized bent axis piston motor can put out 75 hp at well over 5000 psi. For example, a Rexroth AA2FM10 motor can put out 56 lb-ft at 8000 rpm, and it's less than 7 in. long and weighs only 12 lb!

I think you're starting to see the point of this month's issue. Using high-pressure systems with high-pressure actuators allows you to use smaller sized pumps, smaller sized lines and smaller sized actuators. Because the cylinders and motors are smaller, it takes less flow to achieve the same velocity or speed as larger actuators, even though they may put out the same force.

If you apply this example to a piece of mobile machinery that you're already on the verge of busting the axles on, then you'll be able to quantify the advantage. That 12 lb, 10 cc AA2FM10 can churn out 75 hp 'til the cows come home, at 5800 psi and 22 gpm. If you were limited to 3000 psi, then you'd need a 32 cc piston motor weighing 21 lb and requiring almost 50 gpm.

To compare apples to oranges, the smallest Char-Lynn motor that can put out 75 hp is the 345 cm3 10,000 series, which requires 45 gpm and weighs 96 lb. On the pumping end, a 22 gpm piston pump capable of 5000 psi plus would weigh 30 lb. Comparatively, a 45-50 gpm piston pump would weigh in the range of 70 lb.

Mass savings aren't just on the pump and motor end of things; cylinders can be smaller too, because a smaller piston diameter is required to achieve the same force. Hoses will have smaller diameters, fittings will be smaller, control valves will be smaller etc.

So, next time you're designing a hydraulic system from scratch, consider how high pressure can help you in machine flexibility. You may have more room and available mass for other machine components if there are smaller hydraulic components taking up valuable real estate.

Next month, I’ll offer some tips on how to increase pressure safely and some of the downsides of high-pressure systems.
