Fluid power systems (hydraulics and pneumatics) offer an alternate means of controlling industrial systems without a large number of electrical components. Forces can be quickly transmitted over considerable distances efficiently with little loss and large components can be controlled with very small forces, and with smooth, uniform action.
This course provides participants with the knowledge to construct and operate all the individual components essential for the optimum operation of the overall fluid power system. It includes the supply of fluid (gas or liquid), the use of fluid powered control cylinders, control valves and motors as well as the tools associated with the maintenance and repair of fluid power systems.
Course Methodology
This course is highly interactive and includes group discussions, case studies and syndicate work. It also includes practical exercises that allow all participants to use the knowledge they gained to implement their skills in operating fluid power systems.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Describe the development and applications of modern fluid power systems (hydraulics and pneumatics) including the different types of fluids and the three general classes of piping
Apply Pascal's law to the design and operation of fluid power systems and circuits
Outline the types of seals and components in fluid power systems and their respective benefits
Operate a fluid power system circuit, given a system schematic
Prevent, identify and troubleshoot common failures of fluid power systems
Target Audience
This course is designed for professionals involved with, and responsible for, the operation of fluid power systems including maintenance managers, maintenance supervisors, engineers, project managers, technicians and plant operators.
Target Competencies
Fluid power circuit design and operation
Fluid power systems maintenance and repair
Fluid power systems troubleshooting
Pneumatic components operation
Hydraulic components operation
Course Outline
Pneumatic theory
Advantages of fluid power
Transmission of forces through fluids
Pascal's law
Force and pressure
Computing force, pressure and area
Multiplication of forces
Differential areas
Compressibility and expansion of gases (Boyle's law/ Charles's law)
Work and energy
Fluid flow
Volume and velocity of flow
Steady and unsteady flow
Streamline and turbulent flow
Factors involved in flow
Relationship of force, pressure, and head
Static and dynamic factors
Bernoulli's principle
Minimizing friction
Advantages of pneumatics
Pneumatic applications and symbols
Pneumatic components
Purification equipment
Preliminary filtering - dry-type/wet-type filters
Moisture removal and drying
Additional filtering
Filtering contaminants
Filter classes and ratings
Surface/depth filters
Lubrication of heavy/fine lubricators
Pneumatic cylinders
Single-acting/ Double-acting cylinders
Two-piston cylinder
Cushioning devices
Pneumatic control valves
Control valve elements
Two/three/four/five-way valves
Manually operated valves
Pilot and solenoid valves
Air receivers
Pneumatic motors
Motor classification
Pneumatic motor construction
Pneumatic tools
Pneumatic circuits
Basic pneumatic system
Simple circuits
Timing circuits
Safety circuits
Pneumatic circuits
Determining causes of failures
Understanding the system
Troubleshooting procedures
Checking air supply systems
Troubleshooting the actuator
Checking the control valve
Checking a control valve actuator
Checking sequence valves
Checking master control valves
Making final adjustments
Pneumatic system troubleshooting chart
Hydraulic theory
Hydraulic development
Hydraulic applications
Advantages of hydraulics
Physics of hydraulics
Hydraulics' pressure
Pascal's law
Fluid flow
Hydraulic symbols
Hydraulic components
Hydraulic liquids
Hydraulics' properties
Viscosity and viscosity index
Lubricating power
Types of hydraulic liquids (water/petroleum/synthetic)