History of Hydraulic Technology

Because hydraulic pressure can drive objects, just like human muscles drive limbs, it is powerful and flexible. Therefore, when it is necessary to drive the movement of objects (equipment, machinery, workpieces), engineers often think of hydraulic technology first.

  1. Brief history

As early as 200 BC, humans began to use water power by means of water wheels. Before the steam engine entered practical use, the power used was water power in addition to muscle power and wind power.

About 1600 German Kepler invented the gear pump, but it was not used initially.

(Ryan gear pump, the displacment is from 0.16cc to 200cc, work pressure could reach 280bar. The application covers agriculture and construction machine.)

In 1663, the French Pascal proposed the principle of hydraulic presses. In 1795 the British Borama produced the first industrial hydraulic press. After the steam engine became practical, construction of a high-pressure water network that provided energy for driving hydraulic machinery began in Britain and France.

In the second half of the 19th century, the British Armstrong developed a lot of hydraulic machinery and components, mainly used in ship winches and hoists. In 1880, Austria only used hydraulic drilling rigs for the first time when tunneling the Alps. At that time, many parts were very similar to the current components.

By 1939, London ’s high-pressure water network had reached 300km, providing 7.5 million cubic meters of 5.5Mpa of pressure water for 8,000 hydraulic equipment each year. Knowing that in the 1970s, this network was also providing hydraulic energy for the elevators of the London Underground.

In 1905, it was found that mineral oil was more suitable as a pressure medium. As a result, it has been widely switched to oil in a short time.

Hydraulic technology was advanced more rapidly during the two world wars. By 1940, hydraulic pumps with a working pressure of 35Mpa had been produced in series.

  1. Today’s applications

At present, few industrial products can be produced without the use of hydraulic technology. The hydraulic industry has become a pillar industry of modern manufacturing. Hydraulic technology plays an important role in all areas of the national economy. But hydraulic technology is a behind-the-scenes hero, mostly used in places that are not visible in daily life. Therefore, its importance is often underestimated. Although the hydraulic industry is relatively small compared to the entire national economy, it has a great impact. Therefore, it is not too much to be hailed as a “scale”.

 

—–from <Hydraulics for Everyone>

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