Our experienced team here at Dalton Hydraulic has been working in the hydraulics industry for the past 21 years, and we have assisted with countless hydraulics projects during this time, doing all we can to meet the exact needs of our clients. One of the many products we offer is hydraulic power units, and we have put together this article to go over some key information you need to know about them.
In a nutshell, hydraulic power units are designed to convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. These units place hydraulic fluid under pressure to cause it to flow in a specific direction. The energy of the fluid’s movement powers the hydraulic piston, which causes the rest of the mechanism to work.
All hydraulic power units use the same essential components, and we will cover the most fundamental ones here:
- Prime Mover – The prime mover is the hydraulic power unit’s source of mechanical energy. Common examples include electric motors, internal combustion (as in a car engine), and steam-powered or pneumatic motors.
- Hydraulic Pump – Hydraulic power units also contain pumps, which convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. In other words, they transfer the energy of the outside mechanism into energy, which makes the fluid flow where it’s supposed to go.
- Actuators – In addition, hydraulic power units contain components known as actuators, whose purpose is to convert the hydraulic energy of the fluid back into mechanical energy. These parts are what transfer the movement of the hydraulic fluid to the rest of the mechanism.