Fluid Power Journal

Outside the Box

I’ve got an idea. Tell me what you think. You have an application where you need to store 20 liters of hydraulic fluid to be used at 120 bar. You know that …

Accumulators: Energy Savers/Energy Wasters

It looks like the next few articles will be about some specific components and how they can be best utilized in a circuit for maximum energy savings. Previous …

Power Factor…An Opportunity

I know, I know, you’re tired of having to think about energy, and you can’t find your calculator. We’ve covered a lot of bad news about our fluid power …

Power Factor

For the purpose of this article, I would like you to divide yourselves into two groups: the “Energy Suppliers” and the “Energy Consumers.” While you …

Flow Control: If In Doubt, Think About…Energy

I see some of you forgot to bring your calculators with you. We’ll wait right here and chat a bit while you go fetch your equipment… I stated in my first …

Flow Controls: If in Doubt…

Ok, let me see a show of hands. How many of you have designed or installed fluid power systems that used flow controls? Keep them up so I can count… It looks …

Problem: Number of Cycles

“I plan to put an eight (8)-ft. elevator in my house using an air-over-oil system in case of power outages. My air compressor has a 75-gallon tank and kicks …

Fluid Power Industry Going Green

Ensuring responsible use of lubricants to avoid environmental damage is an ongoing responsibility of those who work in the fluid power industry. As fluid power …

Focus On Energy

This is what we know: An electro-mechanical system can operate at about 96% overall efficiency. A typical hydraulic system will operate at about 78% overall …

Ok, I Admit It. I Made A Mistake.

It has been my focus to design energy efficient Fluid Power Systems.  To me, every lost BTU or SCFM is a failure.  I joke when seeing large heat-exchangers …