Fluid Power Journal

Calculate Cylinder Size For Pneumatic Door Openers

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. Most of the handicap doors are operated with linear actuators, however there …

Troubleshooting Tales: The Mystery of a Faulty Amusement Park Ride

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. Recently a new ride was installed in an amusement park and it didn’t work on …

Calculate the Pressure on the Pneumatic Cylinder of a Forklift

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. You have a pneumatic forklift with a 2:1 mechanical disadvantage on the …

Calculate the Lifting Force of a Backhoe

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. The diagram below represents a kid’s backhoe for a sand pile. I have …

Calculate the minimum gas pressure inside the gas shocks when full extended and full retracted

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE Given: Hatch door on a car may weigh 889.6 N (200 lb.) uniformly loaded. 2 …

Changing a Component Below the Oil Level of a Reservoir

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE.   How do you change out a component or filter that is below oil level without …

Air Teaser: How Fast Can a Pig Travel?

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. A gas pipeline was updated in my home area. The work included installing a …

Air Teaser: Calculate a Spud Gun’s Velocity

By Erine Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. Many people enjoy using a safe spud gun. Shooting a potato at 100 psi can be …

Air Teaser: Find the Cylinder Rod

By Ernie Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE. What is the maximum theotretical efficiency for extension and retraction? How …

Comparing the Energy of Natural Gas and Gasoline

By Erine Parker, CFPAI, CFPSD, CFPS, CFPMM, CFPMT, CFPMIP, CFPMMH, CFPMIH, CFPE When you see a vehicle driven on natural gas, do you ever wonder how far it can …