A good starting point is the working pressure and inside diameter of the hose. The hose should have a maximum working pressure rating higher than the system’s maximum pressure. Pressure surges or spikes should also not exceed this rating.
Additionally, hose fittings must be carefully selected to match the hose’s pressure rating. If they are mismatched, the entire hose assembly will be downgraded to the lower pressure rating of the fittings.
Selecting the correct inside diameter is also crucial. The diameter must be large enough to handle the hydraulic fluid while minimizing pressure loss. A hose with a diameter too small for the flow rate will lead to high linear velocity, causing increased friction, turbulence, higher pressure, and excess heat.
Additional Considerations for Specifying Hydraulic Hoses
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hose length is another key factor. A hose that’s too long can restrict flow, raising system pressure and reducing efficiency. However, it must also accommodate any bending and flexing during operation.
While it’s important to choose a hose that’s compatible with your hydraulic fluid, you must also consider the external environment. This will influence your choice of material for the hose’s outer cover. For example, thermoplastic hoses offer better resistance to chemicals or UV exposure.
In cases where weight or space is limited, or a tight bend radius is needed, consider using a hose with a thin-wall inner tube.
Lastly, ensure your system meets all relevant governmental and industry standards for your application.
Tips for Purchasing New Hydraulic Hoses
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Manufacturers typically provide a nomograph or table to help calculate the optimal hose diameter for a specific flow rate and length. Keep in mind that as the hose diameter increases, the working pressure generally decreases within the same product line. For longer hoses, a larger inner diameter is needed to prevent excessive friction.
The hydraulic reservoir is a crucial element in hydraulic circuit design, responsible for storing hydraulic fluid when it’s not actively circulating through the system. Before delving into the details of hydraulic reservoirs, it’s helpful to review how hydraulic systems function and the reservoir’s role within the system.
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic systems are designed to transmit power efficiently by using pressurized liquids. The system contains a fixed amount of hydraulic fluid that is continuously stored and reused as the system operates, making the reservoir—or fluid storage tank—an essential component.
The hydraulic reservoir serves several important functions, including:
– Storing a volume of fluid
– Transferring heat from the system
– Allowing solid contaminants to settle
– Facilitating the release of air and moisture from the fluid
While the concept of a “fluid storage tank” may seem simple, the design and placement of the reservoir are critical. Even the best-designed hydraulic system can suffer performance issues if the reservoir is poorly specified.
Key Design Considerations for Hydraulic Reservoirs
1. Size is Critical
The appropriate size of a hydraulic reservoir depends on whether the system uses an open or closed circuit. For most industrial applications, the tank should have a volume between 3 and 5 times the pump’s flow rate per minute, with 2.5 times the flow as a minimum. However, in some cases, a larger tank may be preferred, such as when ensuring the fluid level stays above the pump inlet or when using fire-resistant fluids.
On the other hand, a smaller tank may be suitable in systems that require a lightweight or compact design. It’s important to note that smaller reservoirs may offer less surface area for heat dissipation, potentially requiring the addition of a heat exchanger or cooler to maintain proper fluid temperatures.
Additionally, smaller reservoirs are more prone to issues like fluid foaming and agitation when fluid returns to the tank. Using a flow diffuser can help minimize these issues by reducing the velocity of the return fluid, preventing problems such as pump damage, cavitation, or premature failure.
2. Managing Contaminants and Filtration
More than half of hydraulic component failures are caused by excessive fluid contamination. Understanding the sources and effects of contamination is key to maintaining a reliable system. LunchBox Sessions offers excellent bite-sized training on this topic, which includes interactive materials, some of which are available for free.
In older hydraulic systems with lower operating pressures and simpler components, particle contaminants might cause some wear but rarely led to catastrophic failures. However, modern systems use more precise components with tighter tolerances, making them more vulnerable to contamination-related malfunctions.
Even in a closed Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic system, contamination can enter from both internal and external sources, with one common entry point being the breather on the hydraulic reservoir.
Breathers allow air to move in and out of the reservoir as the fluid is drawn into or displaced by the hydraulic cylinder. When the pump retracts, air is drawn into the reservoir, and when fluid is returned, air is released. This airflow can introduce contaminants into the Automotive Lift Repair Orlando system, so filtration is vital to maintaining fluid cleanliness and preventing damage to sensitive hydraulic components.
If the air exiting the reservoir is restricted or blocked, internal pressure can increase to unsafe levels, leading to serious leaks. Conversely, if too little air is allowed into the reservoir, a partial vacuum may form, causing cavitation, pump damage, and reduced flow rates within the system.
To prevent these issues, a mesh filter is typically integrated into the breather design to filter out dirt and solid contaminants. It’s crucial to regularly monitor this filter to avoid clogs, which can be indicated by a differential pressure switch.
However, a mesh filter alone isn’t enough. In addition to blocking debris, the filter should also prevent water from entering the reservoir. Water can degrade Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic fluid and cause operational issues or component failures. Moisture in the air can enter the system through the breather, leading to these problems.
3. Additional Filtration
Traditionally, Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic reservoirs were designed to allow contaminants to settle at the bottom, preventing them from circulating within the system. However, an auxiliary inlet and outlet port can be added to incorporate a “kidney loop”—a system consisting of a circulating pump, filter housing, and connecting hoses or tubing. This setup allows for continuous filtration of the hydraulic fluid before it returns to the reservoir, further reducing the risk of contamination.