The electronic sensors, controllers and actuators or valves
used to control a hydraulic system enable cranes, presses, injection molding machines, earth moving equipment and other “heavy duty” areas to operate faster and more accu- rately. The service, maintenance and installation of these electro-hydraulic systems require measurement tools that provide insight into the system circuit behavior.
Hydraulic system • position sensors that feedback
principles the actual position of the rod, An hydraulic system has a fluid for accurate positioning reservoir and a pump that pumps • pressure valves that limit the hydraulic fluid into the various maximum pressure by venting hydraulic cylinders to create fluid to the reservoir movement of the cylinder rod. A controller determines into which Measuring control and cylinder the fluid is pumped by sensor signals opening a valve to that cylinder. Control signals The amount the valve is opened The motion and speed of the determines the speed of move- cylinder rod are directly related ment of the cylinder rod. to the oil flow regulated by the The valve stays open and the valve. Figure 1 shows a rod moves until a sensor (or schematic drawing of a cylinder operator) feeds information back controlled by a 4-way propor- to the controller, causing it to tional valve. close the valve. These feedback This valve has a P for pressure sensors are of three main kinds: input that can be fed to either its Figure 2 shows a valve control • limit sensors that feed back a A or B outputs depending upon signal that has been measured position that has been the control signal, and an T for using a ScopeMeter® test tool. reached, for example the “end Tank (to fluid reservoir) return Initially the signal has a level of of stroke” for the rod which is then connected to the +2 V. This means that the valve non-pressurized A or B output. In is slightly open, connecting the P this way the cylinder rod can be to B (and A to T) and the cylinder moved left or right by controlling rod is retracted. the pressure fed to the A or B outputs with the control signal.
Figure 2. Valve control.
Figure 1. Basic diagram.
From the Fluke Digital Library @ www.fluke.com/library