Industrial Automation and Robotics

(BTME- 504/BMEE1- 522/BMECS1-E 1.3)

Cylinders

Department of Mechanical Engineering

BFCET
1
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Actuators
• An actuator is an essential component in all fluid power systems.
• Actuator comes at last place in a fluid power system.
• Purpose of all downstream equipment is to convert the fluid power into mechanical power
by means of an actuator.
• The output of fluid power system is through an actuator.
• The output can be in the form of linear or rotary motion.
• Actuators that produce linear output are called cylinders and actuators that produce a rotary
output are called motors.
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Cont.
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Cylinders and Motors
• Cylinders can be classified as hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders based on working fluid used,
similarly cylinders can be single acting or double acting depending upon the constructional
features.
• These are generally specified by bore and stroke; they can also have options like cushions
installed. Cushions slow down the cylinder at the end of the stroke to prevent slamming.
• A fluid motor is a device that converts energy of fluid to rotary motion. Fluid motors are used
for power transmission in various pneumatic and hydraulic devices in industry.
• Fluid motors may be classified as unidirectional and bi-directional motors.
• The motors that can rotate the output shaft in one direction only is called unidirectional motor
and those can rotate the output shaft hi either direction can be called as bi-directional motors.
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Cylinders
• Cylinders are linear actuators, which convert fluid power into mechanical power.
• The linear motion and high force produced by cylinders are big reasons why designers
specify hydraulic and pneumatic systems in the first place.
• It consists of a cylinder body and a rod and piston assembly moves inside it.
• The fluid force acting on the piston causes the movement of the piston assembly.
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CLASSIFICATION OF CYLINDERS

There are many ways of classifying cylinders but broadly cylinders or linear actuators can be
classified on the basis of:
• Construction
• Working fluid
CLASSIFICATION OF CYLINDERS ON THE BASIS OF CONSTRUCTION
1. Single Acting Cylinders
2. Double Acting Cylinders
The basic difference between the two cylinders is that single acting cylinders can be pressurized
from one end, while the double acting cylinders can be pressurized from both ends.
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Single Acting Cylinder
• The cylinder is only powered in one direction and needs another force to return it such as an
external load or a spring.
• This cylinder only has a cap-end port and is operated hydraulically/pneumatically in one
direction.
• When pressurized fluid is send into a port, it pushes the plunger/piston rod thus extending it. To
return or retract a cylinder, fluid must be exhausted out. A plunger returns either because of the
weight of a load or from some mechanical force such as a spring.
• This type of cylinder is commonly used for jacks and lifts.
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Cut Section view of Single Acting Cylinder
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Construction of Single Acting Cylinder
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Types of Single Acting Cylinder
Ram Type Single Acting Cylinder
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Cont.
Telescopic Cylinder
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Cont.
Spring Return Cylinder
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Double Acting Cylinder
• Double acting cylinders are the most commonly used cylinders in hydraulic and pneumatic
applications.
• In this design pressure can be applied to either side of the cylinder.
• The extension and refraction of cylinder is due to hydraulic/pneumatic pressure.
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Cut Section view of Single Acting Cylinder
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Construction of Double Acting Cylinder
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Types of Double Acting Cylinder
Double Rod/ Through Rod Cylinder
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Cont.
Tandem Cylinder
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Other Types of Cylinders
• Tie Rod Cylinder

• One Piece Cylinder

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• Diaphragm Cylinder

• Duplex Cylinder
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• Rotating cylinders impart linear motion to a rotating device. They are often used
to actuate rotating chucks on turret lathes. Fluid is ported to the rotating cylinder
through a stationary distributor. Rotating cylinders are available both with solid
and hollow pistons.
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CLASSIFICATION OF CYLINDERS ON THE BASIS OF WORKING MEDIUM

Hydraulic Cylinders
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Pneumatic Cylinders
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Fixed Cushioning
• Fixed cushioning: This type of cushioning is used for small bore cylinder. These cylinders make
use of synthetic rubber buffers to give a simple fixed cushion effect. These shock absorbent
disks placed into the end-covers suction the impact of the piston.
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Adjustable Cylinder Cushioning
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Cylinder Mountings
Cylinder Mountings are classified as:
• Extended tie rods mounted cylinders
• Flange Mounted cylinders
• Sides and Lug mounted cylinders
• Pivot mounted cylinders
• Trunnion mounted cylinders
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Cylinder Mountings
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Cylinder Mountings
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Cylinder Mountings

Trunnion-a pin or pivot forming one of a pair on which something is supported

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Cylinder Mountings
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Cylinder Mountings
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Motors
• A fluid power motor is a device that converts fluid power energy to rotary motion and force.
• Pressure is converted into torque and flow rate is converted into speed.
• The function of hydraulic motor is opposite to that of a pump.
• However the design and operation of fluid power motors are very similar to pumps.
• The difference being, instead of pushing the fluid as the pump does in
a hydraulic motor the rotating elements i.e., vanes, gears, pistons, etc.
are pushed by the oil pressure to enable the motor shaft to rotate
and thus develop the necessary turning torque and continuous rotating
motion.
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Symbol of Motors
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Classification of Motors
• Gear Motor
• Vane Motor
• Piston Motor

Gear Motor
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Vane Motor
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Piston Motors

Swash Plate In Line Axis Motor

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Piston Motors

Swash Plate Bent Axis Motor

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Piston Motors

Radial Motor
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Recommended Books
1. Anthony Esposito, ‘Fluid Power with Applications’, Pearson Publications.
2. S.R. Majumdar, ‘Pneumatic Control’, McGraw Hill Publications.
3. S.R. Deb, ‘Robotic Technology and Flexible Automation’, Tata McGraw Hill Publications.
4. Saeed B. Niku, ‘Introduction to Robotics’, Wiley India.
5. Ashitava Ghosal, ‘Robotics’, Oxford Publications.
6. A.K. Gupta, ‘Industial Automation and Robotics’, Laxmi Publications.
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References

1. Gupta, A.K. (2007). Industial Automation and Robotics. New Delhi. Laxmi Publications Pvt
Ltd.
Thanks