(Newswire.net — July 10, 2019) — Today, hydraulics are used in machines for a wide variety of applications, and in terms of power density, they remain one of the most efficient technologies available to us. But like many technologies, there’s the possibility that it could someday be outclassed. In many cases, a new breakthrough can render a previously ubiquitous technology almost entirely obsolete—like how DVDs replaced VHS cassettes practically overnight.
Hydraulics, however, may have much more lasting power than most technologies. While they are improving, steadily and incrementally, they will likely remain in operation for many years, if not decades to come.
How Hydraulics Work
Let’s start the analysis by exploring how hydraulics work overall. The term “hydraulics” refers to the scientific study of how liquids behave, but most people use it colloquially in line with its application in engineering. Hydraulic systems rely on the power of pressurized fluid to power some kind of device. With a hydraulic press, you can apply pressure to a relatively small amount of fluid to produce a much more significant amount of power.
There are several components to a hydraulic system. For example, there’s the reservoir, where the liquid is stored. It may also be used to transfer heat to the rest of the system and can remove air from the system’s fluid. There’s also the pump, a moving component that presses the fluid in the reservoir to move mechanical energy into the system. There are many varieties of pumps, including vane pumps and piston pumps, but they all serve the same high-level purpose. Valves can be used to stop and start the system, and control the movement of the fluid; again, these come in many varieties, and can be controlled with electricity, pneumatics, or mechanical approaches. Finally, there are actuators, which can convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy through linear or rotary motion.
Hydraulic Applications
Hydraulic systems are used for a number of diverse applications, and you probably rely on them as part of your daily routine (even if you don’t realize it). For example, many vehicles rely on hydraulic braking systems, which use hydraulic systems to apply pressure to a braking pad, which can stop your axel from moving. Hydraulics are used in forklifts and many pieces of construction equipment, since they’re capable of applying a tremendous amount of force.
Why Hydraulic Systems Will Last
So why won’t hydraulic systems be rendered obsolete by a newer, even more efficient technology?
These are just a few of the main reasons:
- Their power density is off the charts. Hydraulic systems still allow for the greatest generation of power and force from the smallest potential actuator. A typical 2-inch piston in a medium-duty hydraulic cylinder can generate something like 1,500 pounds per square inch of pressure. That’s roughly 4,700 pounds of total force exerted upon the 3.14 square inches of the piston’s surface, meaning a 2-inch piston is enough to lift a car.
- Hydraulics don’t easily degrade or stop working. Many new technologies have inherent dependencies or weaknesses that prevent them from physically lasting for decades; for example, traditional hard drives typically wear out in a matter of years. Hydraulic presses and systems, however, can keep working for decades with proper maintenance.
- Hydraulics are low-cost. Relatively speaking, hydraulic systems are inexpensive. Many of our newer technologies (including some types of actuators) rely on high-cost materials, like precious metals, with a finite supply and a high price tag. As demand for these materials increases, they could likely get even more expensive.
- They keep getting better.
- Incremental improvements keep improving the appeal of hydraulic systems. For example, engineers are now integrating kinetic energy recovery systems, which can be used to make heavy equipment like garbage trucks more energy efficient. And some types of hydraulic systems now rely on fluids that can become almost solid when exposed to a magnetic field, making them valuable for improving safety.
Hydraulic systems remain one of the most efficient power transfer systems in existence, and it would be a tall order for any new technology to replace them. New developments and minor improvements will continue to unfold and make hydraulics even more efficient in the meantime.