Fundamentals of !

Fluid Power

Week Two Homework Problem Solutions

1. Viscosity is a function of temperature. As the temperature increases, liquid

viscosity decreases and leakage becomes more significant, reducing the volu-
metric efficiency. As the viscosity decreases (at increasing temperatures), the
mechanical efficiency will increase due to low viscous forces.

2. This problem applies the definition of viscosity,

du
τ =µ .
dy
The velocity gradient is evaluated by dividing the velocity difference by the
separation distance,
du 5 m/s
= = 33.33 s−1 .
dy 0.15 m
We know that (shear) force per unit area is equivalent to shear stress. The
required force per unit area is directly calculable given the velocity gradient,
which we have calculated, and the viscosity:
(a)
Fwater
= 1 ∗ 10−3 P a s ∗ 33.33 s−1 /1 m2 = 3.33 ∗ 10−2 N/m2
A
(b)
Foil
= 200 ∗ 10−3 P a s ∗ 33.33 s−1 /1 m2 = 6.6 N/m2
A
(c)
Fhoney
= 10, 000 ∗ 10−3 P a s ∗ 33.33 s−1 /1 m2 = 333.3 N/m2 .
A

3. The Reynolds number, as it has been presented in lecture, requires the average
velocity,
5 ∗ 10−5 m3 /s
v = Q/A = = 0.051969 m/s.
π/4 ∗ (0.035 m)2
 The Reynolds number can be calculated from its definition,
ρvDh 1000 kg/m3 ∗ 0.051969 m/s ∗ 0.035 m
Re = = = 1818.9.
µ 1 ∗ 10−3 P a s
This is a laminar Reynolds number for a pipe flow, and therefore the friction
factor may be found analytically,
f = 64/Re = 64/1818.9.
f = 0.03519

4. (a) This problem again requires the definition of the Reynolds number,
ρvDh
Re = .
µ
The prompt provides the volumetric flow rate, rather than the average
velocity. The average velocity may be obtained as in Problem 2,
0.01 m3 /s
v = Q/A = π = 0.204 m/s.
4
0.252 m2
Having calculated the average velocity, and knowing the hydraulic diameter
of the tube is simply its diameter, the Reynolds numbers for the three fluids
may be calculated:

1000 kg/m3 ∗ 0.204 m/s ∗ 0.25 m

Rewater = = 51, 000
1 ∗ 10− 3 P a s

850 kg/m3 ∗ 0.204 m/s ∗ 0.25 m

Reoil = = 216.75
200 ∗ 10− 3 P a s

1300 kg/m3 ∗ 0.204 m/s ∗ 0.25 m

Rehoney = = 6.63
10, 000 ∗ 10− 3 P a s
(b) The water flow is turbulent, the oil flow is laminar, and the honey flow is
laminar.

5. Figure 2.5 in Fluid Power System Dynamics provides the viscosity of ISO VG
15 oil at the required temperatures. At 0◦ C, ν ∼ 92cSt and at 30◦ C, ν ∼ 21cSt.
To determine the length of pipe associated with a pressure drop of 500 kPa, we
require the Darcy-Weisbach equation,
8ρL 2
∆P = f Q.
π 2 D5
 Solving for the length,  −1
8ρ 2
L= f 2 5 Q .
π D ∆P
The only unknown is the friction factor, which may be obtained from the Moody
diagram or from a number of expressions. In either case, the Reynolds number
must be calculated first,
0.4244 m/s ∗ 0.02 m
Re0◦ C = = 92.26,
9.2 ∗ 10−5 m2 /s
0.4244 m/s ∗ 0.02 m
Re30◦ C = = 404.19.
2.1 ∗ 10−5 m2 /s
Both cases are laminar, and therefore the friction factor may be obtained from
the laminar expression:
64 64
f0◦ C = = = 0.694,
Re 92.26
64 64
f30◦ C =
= = 0.158.
Re 404.19
The pipe length for both cases can now be calculated.
(a)
−1
0.694 ∗ 8 ∗ 860 kg/m3

L0◦ C = ∗ (1.333 ∗ 10−4 m3 /s)2 = 186.13 m,
π 2 (0.02 m)5 ∗ 500 kP a

(b)
−1
0.158 ∗ 8 ∗ 860 kg/m3

L30◦ C = 2 5
∗ (1.333 ∗ 10−4 m3 /s)2 = 817.55 m.
π (0.02 m) ∗ 500 kP a

The decreased viscosity at the higher temperature is seen to have a significant

influence on the pumping distance associated with a pressure drop of 500 kPa.

6. The governing equation is

ρ 2
∆P = K Q.
2A2
From Fluid Power System Dynamics, K90◦ = 0.2, K45◦ = 0.15, and Kexit = 1.0.
After calculating the flow area, the pressure drops may be obtained:
(a)
860 kg/m3 −4 3

2
∆P90◦ = 0.2 ∗ ∗ 2.833 ∗ 10 m /s = 85.58 P a
2 ∗ (2.835 ∗ 10−4 m2 )2
 (b)

860 kg/m3
2
∆P45◦ = 0.15 ∗ 2 ∗ 2.833 ∗ 10−4 m3 /s = 64.18 P a
2 ∗ (2.835 ∗ 10−4 m2 )

(c)

860 kg/m3
2
∆Pexit = 2 ∗ 2.833 ∗ 10−4 m3 /s = 427.88 P a
2 ∗ (2.835 ∗ 10−4 m2 )

7. We must find the pipe diameter associated with Re=2,000 at the given flow rate
of 15 lpm.

m3 /s
Q = 15 lpm × 1.667 × 10−5 = 2.5 × 10−4 m3 /s
lpm

4Q 4 × 2.5 × 10−4 m3 /s
vavg = =
πD2 π × D2
Substitute the expression for vavg into the expression for Re.
4×2.5×10−4 m3 /s
vavg D π×D2
×D
Re = =
ν ν
4 × 2.5 × 10−4 m3 /s
D= = 17.9 cm
2, 000 × π × 8.9 × 10−7 m2 /s
Dmin = 17.9 cm

8. One possible solution appears in the graphic below.

9. One possible solution appears in the graphic below.
10. One possible solution appears in the graphic below. For the cylinders to move
at the same speed, they must have the same geometry, meaning the cap-side
areas of the two cylinders must be equal, and the rod-side areas of the two
cylinders must be equal.

11. The pump supplies pressurized fluid to the relief valve and the three-position,
four-way valve. In one engaged position of the control valve, the cylinder will
extend, and in the other it will retract. In the neutral position, no fluid will
pass through the control valve to the cylinder. The relief valve passes any fluid
that does not pass through the three-position, four-way valve (provided the
system pressure is greater than the cracking pressure). The needle restricts
the fluid flow rate into the directional control valve. Provided the system
pressure is greater than the cracking pressure of the relief valve, decreasing the
cross sectional area of the needle valve decreases the volumetric flow rate into
the actuator, and allows for control of the actuator velocity. This is called a
“meter-in” circuit.