A proper selection of a hydraulic cylinder will depend on a variety of factors. These factors will be influenced by the type of application you are planning to use it for. Here’s some information on cylinder types. There are mainly two main types: Telescopic cylinders and Ram-type cylinders. Let’s take a look at both. The first type is more common, but is not the only type you should consider.
Fluid-powered equipment
Fluid-powered equipment uses liquid or gas as a power source to move loads. It is used in countless applications from earth-moving equipment to packaging machinery. Its versatility allows for gentle and powerful operations. These systems can push, pull, and rotate almost anything. Read on for some of the most common applications of fluid-powered equipment. Let’s explore a few of them! We’ll also discuss some of the most popular types of fluid-powered equipment.
While fluid power has been around for centuries, its revival is more recent. The end of World War II brought back a group of mechanically-inclined soldiers with real-world experience and mechanical expertise. As a result, many famous domestic fluid-powered equipment component manufacturing companies can be traced to that time. Many of these companies are still active today. In addition, organizations such as the National Fluid Power Association and the International Fluid Power Society were founded during this period.
Construction equipment
When a heavy piece of construction equipment is needed, hydraulic cylinders are a necessity. These hydraulic devices convert pressure to movement and are expert extenders. To make these powerful devices useful, the cylinders must be able to withstand high pressures and large amounts of force. The cylinder must also be able to withstand a variety of temperature changes. To understand what a construction hydraulic cylinder does, let’s take a closer look at the functions of each type.
The first major function of a construction equipment hydraulic system is to operate various components of the machine. For instance, tracks on a tracked backhoe are controlled by hydraulic drivers. Pistons move the bucket vertically or rotate the sides of the bucket. Dump trucks use one or two cylinders to lift their beds and dump material. These hydraulic devices are essential to the smooth and efficient functioning of these machines. They use hydraulic power to move and lift heavy materials, such as dirt or concrete.
Telescopic cylinders
Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are an excellent solution for various lifting applications. They can be double-acting or single-acting, and are used in construction equipment, common machinery, and agricultural equipment. Light-duty applications may require smaller-bore cylinders, which are powered by compressed air. For heavier-duty applications, hydraulic telescopic cylinders are best. Here are some of their common uses.
Single/Double Acting Telescopic Cylinder: The single-acting double-acting telescopic cylinder requires hydraulic power only during the first part of its retract cycle. Once the cylinder has completed its retraction cycle, it is operated as a single-acting unit. This reduces the overall cost. Single-acting telescopic cylinders are usually cheaper than double-acting cylinders, and have the advantage of being simpler to design.
Ram-type cylinders
In industrial settings, Ram-type hydraulic cylinders are commonly used in industrial equipment. Their telescoping mechanism provides thrust force on the extension stroke, but is ineffective during retraction. These cylinders are especially useful in applications that do not require precision motion or force control. They can handle a wide range of loads, such as earthmover truck tires. These cylinders are usually equipped with a coupler and dust cap.
The body of these cylinders is mounted to a machine component with flanges, tie rods, and clevises. The piston rod, which is attached to a clevis mount, is supported by the cylinder body via mounting attachments. These attachments are necessary for ensuring accurate alignment of the cylinder. Moreover, Ram-type cylinders are highly resistant to damage due to overrunning.
Ram-type hydraulic cylinders
There are two types of ram-type hydraulic cylinders: single acting and double acting. Single acting cylinders are pressurized at one end and vented to atmosphere at the other. Single acting cylinders also have an internal spring retractor. In many applications, ram-type cylinders are used in automotive applications, hydraulic jacks, and elevators. These types of cylinders are available with various stroke lengths and pressure ratings.
Single-acting cylinders have high-pressure fluid ports located at their cap-ends. Fluids pumped into the cap-ends push on the pistons and extend the rods. The fluids are then drained and the cylinders retract. External forces are needed to retract the rods or move the connected structures. Single-acting cylinders may be vented to the atmosphere, or they may be isolated with expansion bladders.