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Chapter 7 Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Pneumatic Systems
9 Pneumatic systems are designed to move loads by controlling pressurized
air in distribution lines and pistons with mechanical or electronic valves.

9 Air under pressure possesses energy which can be released to do useful

work.

9 Examples of pneumatic systems: dentist’s drill, pneumatic road drill,

automated production systems.
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Components of a Pneumatic System

reservoir
cylinders and valves
distribution
compressor lines

motor air
treatment

9 Compressor is the power source of a pneumatic system. It is usually driven by a

motor or an internal combustion engine. The compressed air is first stored in a
strong metal tank called reservoir.
9 Before entering the cylinders and valves, the compressed air has to pass through
the air treatment devices, including air filter to remove dust and moisture,
pressure regulator to adjust pressure, and lubricator to spray lubrication oil.
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Air Filter -- to remove dust and moisture

air

filter

condensed
water

water release
valve
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Pressure Regulator -- to adjust pressure

adjust screw
ventilation hole
spring
diaphragm

valve
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Lubricator -- to spray lubrication oil

siphon
tube

lubrication oil
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Pneumatic Actuator -- Cylinder

9 Cylinder is the actuator in the pneumatic system. When compressed air flows
into a cylinder, energy stored in the air will release, transferring into kinetic
energy to do work.

compressed air exhaust

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Example 1. Calculating the force produced by a cylinder

9 The input air pressure is 0.5 MPa, which means the air would exert a force of
0.5N on each square millimeters. If the area of the piston is 300mm2, then the
total force produced by the cylinder will be:
force = pressure × piston area
= 0.5 N/mm2 × 300mm2
300mm 2
= 150 N

壓縮氣體
compressed 0.5MPa
air 0.5MPa
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Pneumatic Motor – Piston Type and Vane Type

output shaft
piston rod

piston

inlet

outlet
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Example 2. Pneumatic Drill
control lever

disk valve
air inlet air duct

piston air flow

air outlet air flow

anvil

spring

blade

(a) (b)
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Pressure Control Valve – Relieve Valve

adjust screw
9 Relief valve, also known as safety valve,
is used to maintain the desired pressure.

spring

ball valve
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Pressure Control Valve—Reduce Valve

adjust screw

spring

diaphragm

減壓閥表示符號
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Directional Control Valve – Two Port Valve (2/2)

IN IN

OUT OUT

9 Directional control valves are

commonly described by an x/y
designation, where x is the number of
ports and y is the number of positions.
9 2/2 valve: 2 ports, 2 positions.
9 The two port valve is similar to the
single pole single throw switch in
electric circuits.
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Directional Control Valve – Three Port Valve (3/2)

9 The three port valve is similar to the

single pole double throw switch in
electric circuits.
出氣口
exhaust
3
3
2
2
air氣壓源
supply 1 spring
彈簧
1
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Example 3. Pneumatic Punching Machine (I)

single
氣壓缸acting cylinder

方向控制閥
three port valve (3/2)

沖壓模
punching mold
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Example 3. Pneumatic Punching Machine (II)

3 2
1

3
2
1

(a) (b)
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Directional Control Valve – One Way Valve

9 The one way valve allows air flow from only one direction. It is similar to
the diode in electric circuits.

ball球閥
valve

止回閥表示符號
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Directional Control Valve – Shuttle Valve

9 A shuttle valve has three ports and contains a small rubber piston which is
free to move between port 1A and 1B within the valve.
9 If air enters the valve through port 1 A or 1B, the piston is pushed to the
other side and air can only escape through port 2.
2 valve
閥 2

1A 1B 1A 1B

1 1

梭動閥氣壓表示符號
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Example 4: Dual Control Pneumatic Punching Machine

D
3
2
1
a C
B

b
3
2
1
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Flow Control Valve – the Flow Regulator

調整螺栓
finger screw
9 Air can pass through the needle
針形閥 valve
regulator in either direction.
9 If air enters from left, the ball
valve is pushed open and air
can flow through the valve
unrestricted.
IN OUT
9 If air enters from right, the
ball valve is closed so that air
can only pass through the
regulator. ball 球閥
valve spring
彈簧

9 The flow of air can be

controlled by turning a finger
screw.
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Control of Double Acting Cylinders (I)

五口二位置方向閥
five port valve (5/2)

流量控制閥
flow control valve
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Control of Double Acting Cylinders (II)

9 Unlike a single acting cylinder, a double acting cylinder does not contain a
return spring. Movements in both directions are powered by compressed air.
9 The flow control valve makes the downward movement of piston 2 slower
than that of piston 1. However, both pistons move upward at the same speed.

1 2

3
1
5
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Air Operated Valves

9 In the valves described so far, the spool which controls the flow of air is
moved mechanically, by a button or lever.
9 In order to be automated, direction control valves in the pneumatic systems
have to be controlled by air pressure or electrical signals.
9 In air operated valves, the spool is moved by air pressure.

4 2 2

5 1 3 3 1
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Example 5: Application of Air Operated Valves

4 2
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51 3

安全區域
safe region

3 3
2 1 1 2
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Pneumatic Solenoid Valves

9 The spool position is moved by an electrical solenoid, and can controlled

electronically.
+V +V

electrical
電磁線圈 solenoid

spool
閥

(a) (b)
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Hydraulics
9 The working fluid in a hydraulic system is incompressible. Thus a hydraulic
system can move large loads.
50N
400N

Pascal’s Law

100mm2

800mm2

A B
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Hydraulic Systems
9 Pneumatic systems are open systems, always processing new air, and air is
simply exhausted to the atmosphere. Hydraulic systems are closed systems,
always recirculating the same oil.

cylinder

hydraulic
valves
oil pump
motor

oil
reservoir
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Example 6. Hydraulic Jack

9 Only a small force is required

by the operator to raise the
heavy load. The large piston handle
can be stopped at any point
because the oil cannot be
large
compressed. piston
small
piston

one-way
valve
valve
release screw
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Hydraulic Actuators

9 In a hydraulic system, the actuators transferring hydraulic energy into

mechanical motion are hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors.
9 There are 3 types of hydraulic motors : gear pump, vane pump and axial
piston pump.
low pressure oil

high pressure oil

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Example 7. Hydraulic Brakes

brake fluid

disc

master cylinder

brake pedal

brake caliper
pads
piston

brake fluid disc

wheel
cylinder
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Example 8. Hydraulic Control loop

filter

control
valve cylinder

oil
reservoir

relief valve

pump
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Comparison between Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Advantages

Pneumatic System Hydraulic System

9 Air is easily available 9 High output force
9 Fast response 9 Accurate hydraulic pressure
9 Air is non-flammable 9 No corrosion
9 Continuous variable transmission 9 Continuous variable
transmission
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Comparison between Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

Disadvantages

Pneumatic System Hydraulic System

ƒ Output force is limited ƒ Fluid might leak out

ƒ Compressibility of air ƒ Fluid will degrade due to heat

ƒ Corrosion may occur ƒ Fluid flow speed is limited

ƒ Pipe length is limited ƒ Pipes are complicated

ƒ Working fluid is often flammable.

Electrical Linear Actuator