Hydraulic Cylinders Key Terms

Delve into the hydraulics industry through hydraulic cylinders key terms

By D. Johnston
Hydraulic cylinders key terms are as much a part of working with the cylinders as the devices themselves. Without knowing the basic terminology, types and parts of cylinders and related categories, you can't be effective in buying, installing or repairing them.

Picking up the vocabulary pertaining to the field of hydraulics and the cylinder, one of its main components, will help you work more efficiently in your business. The steps listed below will start you on your tutorial in the terminology related to hydraulic cylinders. Learn about the important industry terms for:

1. Hydraulic systems in general

2. Different types of hydraulic cylinders for sale

3. Various hydraulic cylinder parts and components

 

Learn some of the most basic terms related to hydraulic pistons and cylinders

Hydraulics in this context is simply the use of fluids in the mechanics of carrying out certain kinds of tasks. Common tasks include the lifting of heavy materials or equipment or in the operation of industrial presses. The hydraulic cylinder is one of the main components, a tube filled with pressurized liquid used to operate a piston and armature. There are various parts in the associated hydraulic system, including several types of pumps as well as accumulators, reservoirs and motors.
Try: Get the official definitions for "hydraulic" from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, which can also take you to further resources related to hydraulic cylinders. Then, see the information available at ACS Hydraulics, which provides a list of hydraulic system terms you can use to start building your vocabulary.

Learn about the different types of hydraulic cylinders for sale for your industry

When it comes to the cylinders, they fall into one of several categories. Two of the primary ones are single-action and double-action. The difference comes from whether the cylinder operates only in one direction (or one stroke) or both (working in the up- as well as down-stroke). There are also rephasing cylinders, which coordinate the operation of more than one cylinder, and depth control cylinders, which limit movement to a predefined threshold.
Try: Check out Control Engineering, where you can find a wealth of information about the anatomy of hydraulic pistons and cylinders, including the different types. Find further data on that subject at Precision Fluid Power, which has definitions of the cylinder types as well as other devices and terms.

Simplify hydraulic cylinder repair by learning the terms for various components

Whether you want to buy hydraulic cylinder parts for repair or replacement or just want a clearer comprehension of them, keep a few terms in mind. These terms include the gland, which acts as the seal to prevent fluid leakage; piston and piston rod, which provide the resistance to the fluid and thereby operate the tool attached to the cylinder; and base plate, or cap, which is often welded to one end of the cylinder as a solid seal.
Try: Hydraulic cylinder manufacturers and software developers often have glossaries of hydraulic system terms; check out BarDyne for a comprehensive list of industry-related terms, or look at the hydraulic cylinder parts available from Bailey for an idea of the various components that make up a working cylinder.

 

  • Thoroughly research the resources in this guide before checking into hydraulic cylinder prices, models and availability. That way, you'll have a solid base of knowledge, which will enable you to more quickly and efficiently pinpoint what you need.