TABLE OF CONTENTS Upon completing this chapter, one should be able to:
Understand the background and history of the subject of hydraulics
Explain the primary hydraulic fluid functions and also learn about the basic hydraulic fluid properties
Understand how important fluid properties like velocity, acceleration, force and energy are related to each other, and also learn about their importance in relation to hydraulic fluids
Understand the concepts of viscosity and the viscosity index
Explain the lubrication properties of a hydraulic fluid.
In the modern world of today, hydraulics plays a very important role in the day-to-day lives of people. Its importance can be gaged from the fact that it is considered to be one part of the muscle that moves the industry, the other being Pneumatics. The purpose of this book is to familiarize one with the underlying principles of hydraulics as well as make an effort at understanding the practical concepts governing the design and construction of various hydraulic systems and their applications. Additionally the functional aspects concerning the main hydraulic system components as well as the accessory components have been dealt with, in detail. The final part of the book is devoted to the general maintenance practices and troubleshooting techniques used in hydraulic systems with specific emphasis on ways and means adopted to prevent component/system failures.
The Greek word Hydra refers to water while Aulos' means pipes. The word hydraulics originated from Greek by combining these words, which in simple English means, water in pipes
