When you hear the word hydraulic, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Something to do with water and power right? Seems simple enough, but there is so much more to the world of Hydraulics and Hydraulic power than what meets the eye. The Oxford dictionary defines Hydraulics as the branch of science and technology concerned with the conveyance of liquids through pipes and channels, especially as a source of mechanical force or control. Once again, seems simple enough, but when you really look into the details of Hydraulics, one cant help but be amazed at how human engineering over time harnessed something so natural, moving water on the earths surface, to create power.
The first group to truly harness a form of Hydraulic power was the Greeks and hydraulics have since, become an important piece to every day life in industrialized world.
Hydraulic systems have become such a frequently applied piece of technology that the vast majority of people have little, or possible no knowledge at all, of the fact even the car they drive uses hydraulics. Most drivers are fully aware of the brakes in their car needing maintenance, or the check engine code that tells them their car is low on brake fluid, but they rarely understand why.
In reality, hydraulics are responsible for the very mechanism that allows a car to slow down and stop safely.
It is arguable that the application of hydraulics in the world today has made life so much easier for every day individuals and is extremely taken for granted.
No matter where you look, hydraulic application is present. In agriculture, entertainment, construction, hydraulic application is a billion dollar industry and it's no secret as to why. Hydraulic engineering has produced some of the most efficient machines and created millions of jobs across the globe!
The Importance of Maintaining Hydraulic Accessories
Since Hydraulics are such an industry specific form of power, it requires industry specific accessories that exceed expectation in quality and consistence. The most commonly replaced piece of a hydraulic system are hydraulic hoses and second most commonly replaced piece of a hydraulic system is the fittings that connect these hoses. Hydraulic hoses are used primarily for two things in the system: the first and most obvious, is that they allow movement between two port locations. The second use, and arguably the most important, is that they make the system run more efficiently by reducing vibrations of the fluid movement.
In hydraulic application, it is extremely important that these hoses are of the highest quality and standard to prevent faulty operation or accident.
The most common construction of a hydraulic hose is made of three parts, the innermost tube that is responsible for carrying fluid, encased by a layer of reinforcement and finally the protective outermost layer.
Tube Makeup
It is extremely important that the tubing of a hydraulic hose is strong, flexible, durable and able to carry that fluid it is being used to move. For hydraulic fluid, Teflon, synthetic rubber, braided steel and thermoplastics are some of the best and most commonly used materials.
High Quality Fittings
Hydraulics are only as efficient as the accessories holding the system together. A simple leak or decrease of pressure can cause microscopic problems that are not noticeable until they are catastrophes. Making sure you are using the highest quality hose end or fitting to connect hydraulic hoses ensure that joins are completely sealed, avoiding leaks, gradual decline in strength and abrupt system failure.
When Benedetto Castelli published his work titled "On the Measurement of Running Waters" in 1619, the very foundations for modern hydrodynamics was laid out. Since then, global engineering efforts have invented and engineered much more efficient and effective methods and systems for moving water to create power and energy.
The most effective businesses in the Industrial world, use the most efficient hydraulic systems and the most efficient systems operate using the highest quality hydraulic instruments, hoses, fittings and other accessories. Don't let your hydraulic equipment fall behind in efficiency by failing to keep your instruments, hoses and fittings maintained!