Pressure Intensification in Single Rod Cylinders

hydraulic cylinder failureA question I’m asked regularly is “What is the best way to test the integrity of the piston seal in a double-acting hydraulic cylinder?”

There is a simple bench-test for doing this but it involves the intensification of pressure in the cylinder. While the test procedure is safe if you understand the concept of pressure intensification in a hydraulic cylinder … Read more

The Static Problem in Hydraulic Systems

Filter used on a filter cartBased on my experience at least, electrostatic discharge in hydraulic systems is not a widespread problem. But for reasons I’ll explain in a moment, it may be on the increase, so it’s definitely something you need to be aware of.

As you probably remember from school science experiments, electrostatic charge is generated whenever there is friction between two bodies moving … Read more

What Thermal Shock Can Do to a Hydraulic Motor

radial piston motor failureA recent client asked me to investigate and solve a recurring problem on a diving bell launch and recovery system. The system comprised a hydraulic power unit, a bell winch, an umbilical winch and a guide-wire winch.

To launch the bell, the guide-wire winch is used to lower a clump weight to the seabed. The guide wires prevent the bell … Read more