How Does Hydraulic Motors Work?

8 Jan 2011- Hydraulic motors are used in any mechanical devices that uses liquids to move or power something. The application of hydraulic motors is seen in almost everything where there is the hydraulics mechanism like as the simple lifts to excavators to heavy-duty equipment and wind turbines. Hydraulic motors work simply by compressing and moving fluid and without this power source, the equipment you are working with becomes of no use. The hydraulic motor is actually a devise which helps the conversion of hydraulic pressure into torque and angular displacement . An integral part of the hydraulic machine it works in combination with the hydraulic cylinder and hydraulic pump.

Working of Hydraulic Motors

A fluid is received by the hydraulic motor. This fluid is channeled into pressurized tubes with the help of the hydraulic pump and this fluid is initially stored in a reservoir. A combustion that takes place internally helps the hydraulic pump drive the fluid into tubes and this is carried further to the hydraulic motor. The fluid turns the motor on and then it omes back to the reservoir after flowing through the motor. This cycle continue and the hydraulic motor keeps on running.

Hydraulic Pump

The hydraulic pump is used to drive the fluid and it is of various types, The most simplest form of the hydraulic pump is the gear pump which has case with two meshed gears. The rotatory action of these gears push the oil from the inlet to the outlet. There is another types of hydraulic pump, and that is the rotatory vane pump where the oil is pushed by means of a rotating beam, which further passes through a screw pump and the system.

Hydraulic Cylinder

The hydraulic cylinder can also be used for creating motion in some machines. When oil is pushed into the cylinder, pressure is created and this is exerted on a piston, which then slides out. These pistons connected to a cluster of various devices like levers. Different types of construction vehicles make use of such pistons for producing motion.

Piston Motors

A type of motor that uses a hydraulic cylinder to create motion is the Axial plunger motor. There is a rotary axle in which the piston is attached. The rotor is turned on with the hydraulic pressure which pushes the piston. When the piston is completely pushed out, oil is discharged, this helps the motor to turn around.

Radial Piston Motors

They are basically the crankshaft type and the multi-lobe cam ring type. The former possesses a single cam piston that pushes inwards while the other one possesses multiple lobes and a piston that moves in an outward manner. The motor generates high power. It runs smoothly if installed in low speed applications. Radial piston motors are characterized by a high starting torque.

Other Hydraulic Motors

There are various other types of motors which work in a manner that is opposite to that of hydraulic pumps. For example: vane motors and hydraulic gear motors.

In short we can say that hydraulic motors are driven by hydraulic pumps or hydraulic cylinders. They are perfect for operating a number of different systems on a piece of equipment and the best part is that you can use the same motor and pump system. The basic operation is the same: a pressure level is built within the system, which in turns provides torque or force to move parts.