MD_Fluid Power Monthly_: Fluid power bolsters alternative energy production

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The latest information on hydraulic and pneumatic motion control.

October 19, 2009

Online training a click away

Join Gates Corp.'s Tim Deans and Dennis Kemper, product application engineers with 38 combined years of experience, as they present a webcast on VE/VA — Value Engineering, Value Analysis of Your Fluid Power Systems on October 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

They will discuss ways to help you identify and eliminate costs while improving functionality and efficiency within your designs. You will discover options to help refine your current hydraulic systems or design new systems to make them as efficient and reliable as possible. In addition, this webcast will review several real-world examples of VE/VA opportunities and the positive impact they had on cost savings.

Register today to learn how you can improve efficiency and increase value in your fluid power systems.

For more general fluid power knowledge, be sure to check out our eBooks, which provide basic fluid power technical information and guidance on using and designing hydraulic and pneumatic circuits. We have just recently launched Chapter 15 on pump circuits, so read on today!

- Mary C. Gannon

Articles

Fluid power bolsters alternative energy production

Rapid growth in the manufacturing and use of alternative power-generation systems such as photovoltaic grids, solar-thermal collectors, and wind turbines is one of the few bright spots in today’s economy. But “green” electricity is more expensive than power from conventional plants, so there is an intense focus on making these systems cost competitive.

Fluid power plays an increasingly important role in manufacturing these systems and making them work with the utmost efficiency. For instance, solar-cell fab operations often prefer pneumatic handling and motion systems because they are clean, rugged, and long-lasting despite nonstop operations and exposure to harsh chemicals.

Understanding unloading valves — Part 2
To conclude our discussion of unloading valves, consider that Figure 5 adds a 4-way spool to the valve drawing of Figure 3 from last month. Note that the spool has two additional ports. They switch the sense line so that the spring end of the unloader spool (often called the compensator spool, due to its flow regulation function) “listens to” the correct valve work port, regardless of the direction that the 4-way spool has been shifted.

Web Exclusive -- Air actuators take the heat in coal pulverizers

The ambient conditions inside a coal pulverizer are harsh. Coal dust and vibrations place a great strain on materials. Where steel cylinders break down quickly, air actuators from ContiTech Air Spring Systems, Hanover, Germany, can last much longer. The pneumatically operated actuators ensure the correct grinding pressure in coal pulverizers and reduce the toll on resources for years.

For FTL Seals Technology, using air actuators is the answer to the difficult ambient conditions found inside a coal pulverizer. The company, which is based in Leeds, England, manufactures pressure cylinders that press the grinding gears of the pulverizer against the material to be ground. The cylinders ensure that the set grinding pressure remains steady while balancing out the abrasion on the grinding balls. A certain degree of compliance is also required when the grinding balls roll over larger pieces of coal.

Sensor monitors energy contained in accumulators
Hybrid hydraulic drives use accumulators to store kinetic energy from braking as hydraulic energy instead of braking a vehicle with friction. The hydraulic energy can then be used to accelerate the vehicle, which can substantially increase fuel economy. The greatest potential for energy savings lies with heavy vehicles that make frequent stops — delivery trucks, buses, garbage trucks, etc.

New Products

Hose crimper
Parkrimp crimping equipment from Parker Hannifin Corp.'s Hose Products Div. makes factory-quality hose assemblies quickly, easily and cost-effectively. Parkrimp system crimpers require no calibration — they are designed to crimp fittings to the proper diameter every time. Family of seven models is available for crimping straight or bent-stem fittings from ¼ to 2 in. in diameter. Parkalign system features a positive-stop design that positions the fitting in the die for a perfect crimp every time. Parkalign benefits operators by enabling them to “feel” that the hose is in the right position to be crimped, as compared to “eyeballing” the proper position of the fitting in a variable crimper.

Pneumatic valves
The V2 Isonic valve from Mead Fluid Dynamics, a Bimba Co., is a 2-and 3-way solenoid-operated, direct-acting pneumatic valve. With flow ranges of 0.01 to 0.05 C_V, it is available with multiple voltage and electrical connection options in both normally-closed and normally-open styles. Isonic design enables flow channels to be molded directly into polymer body sections, eliminating abrupt air path changes associated with cross-drilled machining in traditional valves. The resultant ribbon-like flow paths create near laminar flow with little energy/pressure drop through the valve. Built-in, push-to-connect collets allow for simple tube and manifold connections in seconds.

Hydraulic pumps
Super-quiet CALMA gear pump from Haldex reduces noise by up to 10 dB or 85% in low-speed applications. Newly engineered tooth geometry, true dual-flank gear engagement, reduced trapped oil volume, and advanced trapped oil management reduces pressure pulsation by 75%. They are available with displacements from 6.2 to 23.7 cc, and can be used as a single unit or as an element within multiple hydraulic assemblies.

News from MD

Check Out the New EET Website

Are you looking for more information on energy efficiency? EETweb.com features the latest efficiency updates, information on the basics of energy efficiency and products available for energy efficient designs. Click here to visit the site and learn more!

UPCOMING WEBCASTS

Direct Modeling and the Expansion of 3D Modeling in Manufacturing
Sponsored by SpaceClaim
DATE: October 20th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT

Technology research and analysis company Ora Research shares the results of its extensive research documenting how leading manufacturers are moving to 3D direct modeling to support concept engineering, accelerate CAE model preparation, and speed time-to-market with simulation-driven product development.

Learn how SpaceClaim’s 3D Direct Modeling technology:

Reduces product-development costs
Extends the value of manufacturers' existing CAD software
Helps engineering organizations overcome staffing constraints
Enables more people to contribute to the innovation chain

Click here to learn more and to register!

Concurrent Engineering:
How to Excel at Top Down Design
Sponsored by PTC
DATE: November 5th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT

How will you improve your organization’s product development process in 2010? With concurrent product development techniques, you can engage people from all areas of the design process earlier and more efficiently. Join us for this webcast and begin compressing and streamlining your entire product development process.

This live webinar will cover:

The overall concept of Concurrent Engineering
Best practices for top down design
Building the best framework for your assembly
Improving teamwork with better information
Decreasing your number of design iterations

Click here to learn more and to register!

ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING

Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.