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Last Updated: March 31, 2007
What are Hydraulic Cylinders?
The more complex double-acting hydraulic cylinder is pressurized to move in both directions along the vertical or horizontal plane or any other plane needed. These custom hydraulic cylinders provide higher speed operations and tighter control than single-acting hydraulic cylinders and are less sensitive to system back pressures that can occur due to long tube lengths in telescopic cylinders.

Telescopic cylinders have strokes that extend far beyond that of a standard hydraulic cylinder. Telescopic cylinders are multi-stage hydraulic cylinders that are ideal for applications in which there are severe space limitations. Telescopic double acting hydraulic cylinders are highly complicated, as they actually consist of three or four concentric tubular components. These custom hydraulic cylinders and components need to be manufactured to a high degree of precision and accurately put into position with precise clearances. The outer piston must have all the characteristics of hydraulic cylinders bodys from the inside and all the features of the piston rod on the outside. Special provisions are made to allow the passage of fluid up to the inner hydraulic cylinders. Telescopic cylinders are used in a variety of industries, such as agriculture, construction and manufacturing machinery.

Hydraulic cylinders are often used as part of a larger hydraulic system including pumps, valves and motors. Hydraulics can be effectively combined with other technologies through the use of sensors, transducers and microprocessors. Hydraulic cylinders are used in many industrial equipment applications, including the following: bulldozers, aerial lifts, weapon systems, drilling rigs, forklift trucks, farming and demolition equipment, etc. In ordering hydraulic cylinders, it is important to know the bore, stroke and rod sizes of hydraulic cylinders, the retracted pin center, the pressure requirements for the extending and retracting of the piston rod and the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid. Other necessary pieces of information concerning hydraulic cylinders includes rod material, operating temperature range and coating.
Hydraulic cylinders are linear hydraulic motors that turn the hydrostatic power of a fluid into mechanical power. Typically, the hydraulic fluid utilized in the cylinder is oil, most commonly used in industrial applications, and water. Hydraulic cylinders consist of a plunger or piston inside a cylindrical housing. The bore of the cylinder must be perfectly cylindrical to prevent any obstruction of the piston. Piston seals prevent internal leakage from the high pressure side of the hydraulic cylinder to the low side. Rod seals are used to prevent external leakage. Piston rods, which move in and out of the hydraulic cylinder, are usually hard chrome plated to provide protection from corrosion and wear resistance. Most hydraulic cylinders are steel hydraulic cylinders, stainless steel hydraulic cylinders or aluminum hydraulic cylinders.

Hydraulic cylinders can be single action hydraulic cylinders or double action hydraulic cylinders. A single-acting hydraulic cylinder is configured for motion in only one direction, either pulling in or pushing out. An internal spring is used to provide plunger return when the hydraulic pressure is removed. In single-action hydraulic cylinders, less valving and plumbing is needed than in double-acting hydraulic cylinders.
Hydraulic Cylinders
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