What You Need to Know About Hydraulic Cylinders

What are Hydraulic Cylinders?

Hydraulic cylinders, also called hydraulic motors, are mechanical actuators that are used to give unidirectional force through unidirectional stroke.

They get their power from pressurized hydraulic fluid, which is usually oil. Hydraulic cylinders are usually consisted of a cylinder barrel and two pistons. When force is applied to the first piston, it will get transferred to the second piston through the oil.

Parts of Hydraulic Cylinders

Hydraulic cylinders are made up of different parts. Each is equally important in making hydraulic cylinders work:

Cylinder barrel – The main function of this part is to hold pressure in the cylinder. This is ground and honed internally with a finish of 4 to 16 microinch.

Cylinder base or cap – The main function of the base/ cap is to enclose the pressure chamber on one end. This is connected to the body through different ways such as tie rod, caps, bolts, threading or welding. The size of the cap that needs to be used is based on the bending stress.

Cylinder head – The cylinder head is responsible for enclosing the pressure on the other end. This contains an integrated rod sealing arrangement to accept a seal gland. This is also connected through bolts, threading or through a tie rod.

Piston – This is probably one of the most important parts of hydraulic cylinders. The piston’s main function is to separate pressure zone in side barrel. A piston is attached to the piston rod by rods, threads or nuts to transfer the linear motion.

Piston rod – The piston rod is usually a chrome-plated piece of cold-rolled steel attached to the piston and extending to the cylinder through the rod-end head.

Seal gland – The cylinder head is fitted with seals in order to prevent pressurized oil from leaking past the interface between the rod and the head. This area right here is called the seal gland. The seal gland is useful for easy removal and seal replacement.

Seals – Seals are designed as per the cylinder pressure, cylinder speed, application, operating temperature and working medium.

The Importance of Hydraulic Cylinders

Hydraulic cylinders are used in a lot of machines used in different industries. For instance, your car will not work without hydraulic cylinders. Bulldozers, cherry pickers and heavy machineries used in factories also use hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulic cylinders make it possible for machines to work, which makes it an integral part.