Читать книгу Hydraulic Fluid Power - Andrea Vacca - Страница 19

This chapter provides a brief description of the properties of hydraulic fluids. In general, the working fluid can be considered as the main component of the hydraulic system. The fluid is the media that transports the energy between different parts of the system; it can change its energy level as it flows through hydraulic components. Beyond this main function, the working fluid also lubricates the internal parts of the hydraulic components. Another important function of the hydraulic fluid is heat removal: the working fluid carries the heat that is generated within certain components of the hydraulic system and can be cooled using proper heat exchangers (HEs).

A deep analysis of the working fluid properties requires a solid base of chemistry, also because nowadays fluids are often a mix of several components and additives, in appropriate quantities to achieve the desired properties. For example, some fluids are fire resistant, while others are designed to work in some hazardous environments. However, the description of the fluid as energy transfer media requires only a limited number of fluid parameters. This chapter introduces these parameters, and it allows the reader to understand some considerations made throughout the next chapters of the textbook. Additional bibliographic references are provided for the reader that is interested in further studying the topic of hydraulic fluids.