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Fluid mechanics deals with liquids and gases in motion or at rest.

Fluid dynamics: Fluid mechanics is also referred to as fluid dynamics by considering fluids
at rest as a special case of motion with zero velocity.

Hydrodynamics: The study of the motion of fluids that can be approximated as

incompressible (such as liquids, especially water, and gases at low speeds).

Hydraulics: A subcategory of hydrodynamics, which deals with liquid flows in pipes and
open channels.

Gas dynamics: Deals with the flow of fluids that undergo significant density changes, such
as the flow of gases through nozzles at high speeds.

Aerodynamics: Deals with the flow of gases (especially air) over bodies such as aircraft,
rockets, and automobiles at high or low speeds.

Fluids essential to life

– Human body 65% water
– Earth’s surface is 2/3 water
– Atmosphere extends 17km above the earth’s surface
Significance
– Weather & climate
– Vehicles: automobiles, trains, ships, and planes, etc.
– Environment
– Physiology and medicine
– Sports & recreation
– Many other examples!

Definition of Fluid
• A fluid is a substance that deforms continuously in the face of tangential or shear
stress, irrespective of the magnitude of shear stress. This continuous deformation
under the application of shear stress constitutes a flow.
• In this connection fluid can also be defined as the state of matter that cannot
sustain any shear stress.

Fluid properties
Mass, weight, and density
The mass of an object is defined as a measure of its resistance to acceleration, i.e., resistance
to a change in velocity. For an object of fixed mass, the relationship between acceleration, a,
force, F, and mass, M, is given by Newton’s second law:
The weight of an object, W, is the magnitude of the force acting on the object due to Earth’s
gravity field.
Fluids differ in their resistance to acceleration in proportion to their density. The density of a
fluid, ρ, may be determined by dividing the mass of a sample of that fluid by its volume V
Hydraulic Turbine
A hydraulic Turbine is a device that converts the energy in a stream of fluid into mechanical
energy by passing the extreme through a system of fixed and moving blades and causing the
wheel to rotate.
Hydraulic Turbine Classification:
It has been categorized into four parts such as:
1. According to the type of energy at Inlet:
Impulse Turbine: The energy is in the form of kinetic. e.g: Pelton wheel, Turbo wheel.
Reaction Turbine: The energy is in the form of both Kinetic and Pressure. e.g: Tubular,
Bulb, Propeller, Francis turbine.
2. According to the direction of flow through Runner:
Tangential flow: water flows in a direction tangential to the path of rotational, i.e.
Perpendicular to both axial and radial directions.
Radial outward flow e.g: Forneyron turbine.
 Axial flow: Water flows parallel to the axis of the turbine. e.g: Girard, Jonval,
Kaplan turbine.
 Mixed flow: Water enters radially at the outer periphery and leaves axially. e.g:
Modern Francis turbine.
3. According to the head under which the turbine works:
 High head, (Impulse turbine. e.g: Pelton turbine.)
 Medium head, (Reaction turbine. e.g: Francis’s turbine.)
 Low head, (Reaction turbine. e.g: Kaplan turbine, propeller turbine.)
4. According to the specific speed of the turbine:
 Low specific speed, (Impulse turbine. e.g: Pelton wheel.)
 Medium-specific speed, (Reaction turbine. e.g: Francis’s wheel.)
 High specific speed, (Reaction turbine. e.g: Kaplan and Propeller turbine.)

Hydraulic Turbine Working Principle:

So, the working principle of the hydraulic turbine is, according to Newton’s law, A force is
directly proportional to the change in momentum. If there is any change in momentum of
fluid, then a force is generated.
The hydraulic turbine blades (In the case of the Pelton wheel Turbine) are provided against
the flow of water which changes the momentum of it. As the momentum is changing, a
resulting pressure force generated which rotates the rotor or turbine. As the change in
momentum high, the force generated is high, which increases energy conversion. So the blade
or buckets are designed so that it can change the maximum momentum of the water. This
turbine is used in a hydroelectric power plant.
Hydraulic Turbine Advantages:
The following advantages of Hydraulic Turbine:
1. This is a renewable energy source. The water-energy can be used again and again.
2. This turbine having high efficiency.
3. The running cost of the Hydraulic turbine is less as compared to other turbines.
4. Since Dams are used. So it is used for power generation.
5. The environmental pollution system is negligible here.
6. This is easy to maintain.
7. The main advantages of the Hydraulic turbine are that at the turbine place, the
people can visit and come across all the main parts in detail. This is like an open
system.

Hydraulic Turbine Disadvantages:

The following disadvantages of Hydraulic Turbine:
1. The Installation or Initial cost is very high. This system or plant takes several
decades to produces the profit.
2. It can develop at only a few sites where the proper amount of water is available.

Pelton Turbine
Pelton Wheel Turbine is the only impulse type of hydraulic turbine named after Lester A.
Pelton, the American engineer. It is well suited for operating under high heads.
 The turbine capable of working under the high potential head of water is the Pelton
Wheel Turbine which works on the head greater than 300 m.
 The runner consists of a circular disc with a suitable number of double semi-
ellipsoidal cups known as buckets which are evenly spaced around its Periphery.
 One or more nozzles are mounted so that, each directs a jet along the tangent to the
circle through the centres of the buckets called the Pitch Circle.
 A casing is provided only to prevent the splashing of water and for discharging the
water to the tailrace.
Components of the Pelton Wheel Turbine:
The Components of Pelton Wheel Turbine are as follows.
1. Penstock
2. Nozzle and Spear
3. Runner and buckets
4. Casing
5. Breaking Jet
The explanation of the above components are as follows.
1. Penstock: It is a channel or pipeline which controls the flow of water or it also acts as
directing medium for the fluid flow.
2. Nozzle and Spear: Nozzle: The nozzle is used to increase the kinetic energy of water
which is used to strike the buckets attached to the runner. Spear: Spear is used to control the
quantity of water striking the buckets. It is a conical needle installed inside the nozzle to
regulate the water flow that is going to strike on the buckets or vanes of the runner. It is
operated by a handwheel. The rate of water flow increases and decreases when the spear is
moved in a backward direction and forward direction respectively and that can be handled by
means of a hand wheel(It is operated in the axial direction).
The setup of Spear along with nozzle is shown in the below figure.
3. Runner and buckets: The runner with buckets is shown in the figure given above.
 The rotating part of the turbine is a runner which is a circular disc and on the
periphery of which several buckets are evenly spaced.
 The buckets are made of two hemispherical cups joined together. The splitter acts as a
wall joining two hemispherical cups which can splits the water into two equal parts
(i.e.on to the hemispherical cups.) deflected through an angle of 160 degrees to 170
degree.
 The buckets of the Pelton turbine are made up of cast iron, cast steel bronze or
stainless steel.
4. Casing: The case (outer cover) in which turbine is placed so that water can not splash
outside(surroundings) called casing. The Pelton turbine with the casing is shown in the figure
given below.
 It also safeguards and helps the water to discharge to the trail race.
 To make the casing, cast iron or fabricated steel plates are used.
5. Braking Jet:
 The spear is pushed in a forward direction into the nozzle so that there should be no
water jet impinging onto the blades of the turbine and making the turbine to stop. but
the runner keeps moving due to the inertia.
To stop the runner in the shortest period of time, a small nozzle is provided which directs a
jet of water at the back of the vanes and that stops the runner of the turbine called as breaking
jet.

Working of Pelton Wheel turbine:

The working of Pelton Wheel Turbine is as follows.
Water flows from the nozzle with high kinetic energy along the tangent to the path of the
runner and when the jet of water comes in contact with the bucket, it exerts a force on the
bucket called as Impulse force.
In order to control the quantity of water striking the runner, the nozzle fitted at the end of
penstock is provided with a spear or needle fixed to the end of a rod.
In this process, the momentum of the water is transferred to the turbine. The impulse force
produced due to this momentum of water causes the turbine to rotate.
The double Semi ellipsoidal buckets split the water jet into two halves which helps in
balancing the wheel(runner). This ensures a smooth transfer of the fluid jet to the turbine
wheel.
For maximum power and efficiency, the turbine is designed such that, the water Jet velocity
is twice the velocity of the bucket.

Applications of a Pelton Turbine:

The applications of Pelton Wheel Turbine is as follows.
 To achieve maximum power and efficiency, the turbine blades are designed in such a
way that water jet velocity is twice the velocity of rotating buckets.
 Pelton turbine, where the water available at the high head is from 150 m to 2000 m in
a hydroelectric power plant.
  It is also used as set up in the labs of Educational Institutions.
Advantages of a Pelton Turbine:
The advantages of Pelton Wheel Turbine is as follows.
 It is easy to maintain.
 Intake and exhaust of water takes place at atmospheric pressure hence no draft tube is
required.
 No cavitation problem
 It has simple construction
 It can work on high heads and low discharge
Disadvantages of a Pelton Turbine:
The disadvantages of Pelton Wheel Turbine is as follows.
 It requires a high head for operation
 Its efficiency decreases quickly with time
 Turbine size is generally large
 Due to the high head, it is very difficult to control variations in the operating head.

Francis Turbine:
The Francis turbine is a reaction turbine and it was developed by James B Francis. It is an
inward flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts. The Francis
turbine is the most common water turbine used today. The Francis turbine operates a head
range of 10 meters to several hundred meters and is primarily used for electrical power
production.

The Main Parts of a Francis Turbine:

A Francis Turbine consists of the 5 main parts those are:
 Spiral Casing
 Stay Vanes
 Guide Vanes
 Runner Blades
 Draft Tube
Spiral Casing:
It provides an encased water path to contain the water pressure.
The water flowing from the reservoir or dam is made to pass through this pipe with high
pressure. The blades of the turbines are circularly placed, which means the water striking the
blades of the turbine should flow in the circular axis for efficient striking. So, the spiral
casing is used, but due to the circular movement of the water, it loses its pressure. To
maintain the same pressure, the diameter of the casing is gradually reduced, to maintain the
pressure uniformly, thus uniform momentum or velocity striking the runner blades.
Stay Vanes:
This guides the water to the runner blades. Stay vanes remain stationary at their position and
reduces the swirling of water due to radial flow and as it enters the runner blades. Hence,
makes the turbine more efficient.
Guide Vanes:
Guide vanes are also known as wicket gates. The main function or usages of the guide vanes
are to guide the water towards the runner. The water flow must be an angle and that is
appropriate for the design.
Runner Blades:
Absorbs the energy from the water and converts it to rotational motion of the main shaft.
The runner blades design decides how effectively a turbine is going to perform.
The runner blades are divided into two parts. The lower half is made in the shape of a small
bucket so that it uses the impulse action of water to rotate the turbine.
The upper part of the blades uses the reaction force of water flowing through it. These two
forces together make the runner rotate.
Draft Tube:
The draft tube is an expanding tube which is used to discharge the water through the runner
and next to the tailrace. The main function of the draft tube is to reduce the water velocity at
the time of discharge. Its cross-section area increases along its length, as the water coming
out of runner blades, is at considerably low pressure, so its expanding cross-section area helps
it to recover the pressure as it flows towards the tailrace.
Francis Turbine Working Principle with Diagram
Francis turbines are employed regularly in hydroelectric power plants. In these power plants,
high-pressure water enters the turbine through the snail-shell casing (the volute). This
movement decreases the water pressure as it curls through the tube; however, the water’s
speed remains unchanged. Following the passing through the volute, the water flows through
the guide vanes and is directed towards the runner’s blades at optimum angles. Since the
water crosses the precisely curved blades of the runner, the water is diverted somewhat
sideways. This makes the water lose some part of its “whirl” motion. The water is also
deflected in the axial direction to exit a draft tube to the tail race.
The mentioned tube reduces the water’s output velocity to gain the maximum amount of
energy from the input water. The process of water being diverted through the runner blades
results in a force that propels the blades to the opposite side as the water is deflected.
That reaction force (as we know from Newton’s third law) is what makes power to be carried
from the water to the turbine’s shaft, continuing rotation. Since the turbine moves due to that
reaction force, Francis turbines are identified as reaction turbines. The process of altering the
direction of the water flow also decreases the pressure within the turbine itself.
Francis turbines are the most favoured hydraulic turbines. These turbines are the most stable
workhorse of hydroelectric power stations. Francis turbine supplies about 60 percent of the
global hydropower capacity, mainly because it can work efficiently under a wide range of
working conditions. You can find the working principle of the Francis turbine here.

(A)Top view
of a Francis turbine; (B) Side view of a Francis turbine. (Reference: Wikipedia.org)

Advantages of Francis Turbine:

Francis turbines have some benefit when used in power plants. Here we can see some of
these advantages:
 There is no head failure yet at the low water discharge.

 The mechanical efficiency of the Francis turbine diminishes more slowly than Pelton

wheels.
  The operational head difference can be controlled simply in the Francis turbine than in

the Pelton wheel turbine.

 The runner size in the Francis turbine is small.

 Changing the head can be controlled easily.

Disadvantages of Francis Turbine:

Despite all the mentioned pros, there are some cons in using Francis turbines. These
disadvantages are listed here:
 The water contains pollutants which may cause extremely rapid wear in a Francis

turbine.
 Francis turbine is highly expensive.

 It has a simple operation but a very complex design.

 The number of moving parts in this kind of turbine is considerable.

 The runner is not available commonly since it has a standard spiral casing.

 It has costly and complicated maintenance.

 It faces the hazard of cavitation.

 Current losses in the Francis turbine are inevitable.

Efficiencies in Francis turbine:

Francis turbines have three main efficiencies that should be considered. They are:
1. Mechanical efficiency
2. Hydraulic efficiency
3. Overall Efficiency
In what follows, these efficiencies are explained briefly.
Mechanical Efficiency:
The first efficiency in the Francis turbine is mechanical efficiency, which is defined as the
ratio of actual available work at the turbine to the energy exposed to the wheel. In other
words, mechanical efficiency can be calculated by

Hydraulic Efficiency:
Another important efficiency is hydraulic efficiency, which is defined as the ratio of work
done on the wheel to the water energy head provided to the turbine.
The hydraulic efficiency can be calculated by
Overall Efficiency:
The overall efficiency is defined as the ratio of power generated by the turbine to the energy
provided to the turbine. In other words:

Difference between Impulse and Reaction Turbine:

Impulse Turbine Reaction Turbine

Available energy is converted into kinetic A major part of available energy is converted to
energy pressure energy

Pressure gradually reduces while water flows

Pressure in the turbine is constant
on the turbine blades

The wheel and the blades should have access to The blades are always under the action of
free air and must not run fully. pressure, the wheel must always run fully.

Only one face of the blade is active Both sides

Regulation of flow and power is easier without

Difficult
loss of energy

Used for high heads Low and medium heads

Efficiency is less Efficiency is more

Energy transfer is a change in energy Due to a change in pressure head

Hydraulic Pump
A hydraulic pump is a mechanical source of power that converts mechanical power into
hydraulic energy (hydrostatic energy i.e. flow, pressure). When a hydraulic pump operates, it
performs two functions. First, its mechanical action creates a vacuum at the pump inlet which
allows atmospheric pressure to force liquid from the reservoir into the inlet line to the pump.
Second, its mechanical action delivers this liquid to the pump outlet and forces it into the
hydraulic system.
A pump produces liquid movement or flow: it does not generate pressure. It produces the
flow necessary for the development of pressure which is a function of resistance to fluid flow
in the system. For example, the pressure of the fluid at the pump outlet is zero for a pump not
connected to a system. Further, for a pump delivering into a system, the pressure will rise
only to the level necessary to overcome the resistance of the load.

Different hydraulic pump types

 Centrifugal Pump
 Reciprocating pumps
 Rotary pumps
a. Gear pumps
b. Screw pumps
c. piston pumps
d. Vane pumps
Hydraulic pumps are manufactured depending on different functional and hydraulic system
requirements, such as operating medium, required range of pressure, type of drive, etc. A
large range of design principles and configurations exists behind hydraulic pumps.
Consequently, not every pump can fully meet all sets of requirements to an optimum degree.
The most common hydraulic pump types are mentioned above.

Hydraulic pump Working Principle

Hydraulic pumps will carry oil or any other fluids from the reservoir/tank to other parts of the
system. The working of the hydraulic pump is based on the displacement principle (Any
object, wholly or partially immersed in a fluid, is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of
the fluid displaced by the object).
Both the inlet and outlet of the hydraulic pump contains different check valves. The check
valve located at the inlet will push the fluid from the tank/reservoir into the pump and the one
located at the outlet will pump fluid to other parts of the system. The vacuum created will
push the fluid into the pump inlet. Electric, motor or a gas engine are used as the prime mover
to rotate the shaft. The impeller blades are located on the shaft and the surrounding fluids will
rotate with the movement of the shaft. A vacuum is created inside the cylinder when the
piston is pulled. The vacuum created will close the outlet check valve and open the inlet
check valve. Then, fluid from the tank or reservoir enters the pump and partially fills the
cylinder. When the piston is pushed, the fluid molecules will come closer, and the inlet check
valve will close. This will open the outlet check valve and fluid flows through it.

Centrifugal Pump
A centrifugal pump is a machine that uses rotation to impart velocity to a liquid and
then converts that velocity into flow.
Let’s break that definition down into its components so that we can consider each one in turn:
1. A centrifugal pump is a machine.
2. A centrifugal pump uses rotation to impart velocity to a liquid.
3. A centrifugal pump converts velocity into flow.
“A centrifugal pump is a machine.” Every centrifugal pump includes an assembly of
mechanical components that make operation of the pump possible. This mechanical assembly
includes the pump shaft mounted on bearings, the sealing mechanism that keeps the pump
from leaking excessively, structural components designed to handle the stresses and loads
imposed on the pump during operation, and wear surfaces that allow the pump to be repaired
and returned to its original specifications.

Hydraulic pumps components

 Pump Housing/Casing
 Impeller Blades
 Pump Shaft
 Bearing Assembly
 Sealings
Hydraulic pumps are used for energizing fluids to flow from a lower potential to higher. It
has several mechanical moving components that receive energy from any other source. Most
of the hydraulic pumps have rotating parts that operate using the electrical source. The basic
components used in hydraulic pumps are described as follows.
 Pump Housing/Casing: This is the exterior part of the hydraulic pump to protect the
inner components. Smaller pumps use aluminum as the construction material and
others use cast iron.
 Impeller Blades: The impeller blades will rotate inside the pump housing. The
rotation of impeller blades will rotate the surrounding fluids and thus the fluid flow at
a higher potential. Also, they play an important role in lubricating and cooling the
system.
 Pump Shaft: The pump shaft is used to mount the impeller. Steel or stainless steel is
used for constructing the shaft and the size will depend on the impeller.
  Bearing Assembly: Assistance for continuous impeller rotation is the function of
pump bearings. Most of the centrifugal pump uses standard ball-type anti-friction
bearings.
 Sealings: Most of the pumps fail due to the damage of bearing assemblies. Seals will
eliminate the risk of failure to a greater extent by protecting the bearing assemblies
from contaminants and coolants.

Centrifugal Pump Impellers

The impeller of a centrifugal pump is rotated rapidly to impart velocity to a pumped liquid.
If you’ve never seen a pump impeller before, visualize a boat propeller.
In a centrifugal pump you have an impeller rotating rapidly and imparting velocity to the
liquid in the pump just as a boat propeller imparts velocity to the water in a lake. The casing
is the part of the arrangement that takes that velocity, contains it, controls is, and sends it
along in a useful direction. Every impeller has 1 or more vanes that extend from the centre, or
hub, of the impeller out towards the outer diameter. As the impeller turns, centrifugal force
causes the liquid to move rapidly from the centre of the impeller, along the vanes, and then
exit the impeller at the outermost diameter. The result is that the pumped liquid exits the
perimeter of the impeller at a very high velocity.

Centrifugal Pump Casings

the centrifugal pump casing is the component of the pump that converts all of the velocity
created by the rotating impeller into a controlled and stable flow and directs it out of the
pump through the discharge point. The most common type of casing is called a volute and it
looks similar to a snail shell.

The impeller is placed within the volute. However, as you may have noticed in the image
above, the impeller is not typically cantered in the volute. Instead, the impeller is positioned
so that the outer diameter of the impeller is closest to the volute at the point just past the
discharge. This point where the impeller is closest to the volute is called the cutwater.
Beginning from the cutwater, as we move around the impeller, the distance between the
volute and impeller gradually increases until we reach the discharge point. This steady
expansion of the area around the impeller means that pressure will build moving from the
smallest clearance to the greatest and the increasing pressure will push the liquid out of the
discharge point.

Reciprocating Pump
A reciprocating pump is a device that converts mechanical energy into hydraulic energy by
sucking the liquid into a cylinder. In this pump, a piston reciprocates, which uses thrust
on the liquid and increases its hydraulic energy.
A reciprocating pump is also known a called a positive displacement pump. Because it
discharges a definite quantity of liquid. It is often used where a small quantity of liquid is to
be handled and where delivery pressure is quite significant.

Parts of Reciprocating Pump

The following are the main parts of the reciprocating pump.
1. Cylinder
2. Suction Pipe
3. Delivery Pipe
4. Suction valve
5. Delivery valve
6. Piston and piston rod
7. Crank and connecting rod
8. Strainer
9. Air Vessel
1 Cylinder: In the cylinder, the piston is moving to and fro. The moment of the piston
obtains by a connecting rod, which connects the piston and crank.
2 Suction Pipe: It is the source of water that connects the cylinder together. The suction pipe
allows the water to flow in the cylinder.
3 Delivery Pipe: After the process, the source of water leaves the cylinder and discharges
through the delivery pipe. The delivery pipe joins the pump cylinder to the discharge outlet.
4 Suction Valve: In this valve, the flow of water enters from the suction pipe into the
cylinder. It allows only one-directional flow. Hence it is also known as a non-return valve.
This valve is found on the suction pipe inlet.
5 Delivery Valve: With this valve, the flow of water is discharged from the cylinder into the
delivery pipe. It is also a non-return valve located between the delivery pipe outlets. The
valve is in the closed position during suction.
6 Piston and Piston Rod: It is a solid part that acts back and forth inside the cylinder for the
suction and delivery of the liquid. Whereas the piston rod helps the piston to move in a linear
direction.
7 Crank and Connecting Rod: A crank is a circular disc that is connected to a motor. While
the connecting rod connects the crank to the piston. As a result, the rotational motion of the
crank is converted into linear movement of the piston.
8 Strainer: A strainer is an essential part of the pump that is located at the end of the suction
pipe. This helps in preventing the entry of solids from the water source into the cylinders.
9 Air Vessels: It is a closed chamber made up of cast iron. It has two ends. One ends is open
at its base through which the water flows into the vessel cylinder. The air vessels are fitted to
the suction pipe and delivery pipe of this pump to get a uniform discharge.

Functions of Air Vessels

 The air vessels use to get the continuous flow of water at a uniform rate.
 To reduce the amount of work in overcoming the frictional resistance in the
suction pipe and delivery pipe.
 To run the pump at high speed with separation.

Working Principle of Reciprocating Pump

Following are the two different working principles:
1. Single-acting reciprocating pump and
2. A double-acting reciprocating pump.
1. Single Acting Reciprocating Pump
In this pump, A cylinder, in which a piston moves forward and backward. The piston is
reciprocating by means of the connecting rod. The connecting rod connects the piston and the
rotating crank. The crank is rotating by means of an electric motor.
The suction and delivery pipes with suction and delivery valve are arranged to the cylinder.
The suction valve allows the water to the cylinder and the delivery valve leaves the water
from the cylinder. As the crank rotates, during the first stroke of the piston (called suction
stroke), the water enters the cylinder. In a suction stroke, the crank is rotating from A to C
(from 0° to 180°) the piston is moving towards the right side of the cylinder. Due to this, the
vacuum creates in the cylinder. This vacuum causes the suction valve to open and the water
enters the cylinder.
In the next stroke called delivery stroke, the water leaves the cylinder. In the delivery
stroke, the crank is rotating from C to A (from 180° to 360°) the piston is moving to the left
side of the cylinder. Due to this, the pressure of the liquid increases inside the cylinder. This
pressure causes the suction valve to close and delivery valve to open. Then the water is
forced into the delivery pipe and raised to a required height.

2. Double Acting Reciprocating Pump

In this, the water is acting on both sides of the piston as shown in the figure.

Thus, two suction pipes and two delivery pipes are required for a double-acting pump. When
there is a suction stroke on one side of the piston, at the same time there is a delivery stroke
on the other side of the piston. Hence for one complete revolution of the crank, there is two
delivery strokes, and the water is delivered to the pipes by the pump during these two
delivery strokes.
Working of Reciprocating Pump
When the crank connects to the power source (motor), it will start rotating, and the
connecting rod and the crank will also be in movement. As the piston is attached to the
connecting rod, it will also start moving in a linear direction. When the crank is moved
outwards, the piston moves to its right, creating a vacuum in the cylinder. This causes the
suction valve to open. Now, the liquid from the source is sucked into the cylinder by the
suction pipe.
HYDRAULIC LIFT
The hydraulic lift is a device used to lift or bring down passengers and loads from one floor
to another in multi-storeyed buildings.

Direct Acting Hydraulic Lift

Components of direct acting hydraulic lift:
 Fixed cylinder: It is fixed with the wall of the floor, where the sliding ram reciprocate

when we apply the pressure.

 Cage: It is fitted on the top of the sliding ram where the load is placed (i.e. lifted load).

 Sliding ram: It is fitted in the fixed cylinder which is reciprocate (upward or downward

direction) when we applied the pressure (i.e. reaches the floor wise.)
Diagram

WORKING OF DIRECT ACTING HYDRAULIC LIFT: When fluid under pressure is

forced into the cylinder, the ram gets a push upward. The platform carries loads or passengers
and moves between the guides. At required height, it can be made to stay in level with each
floor so that the good or passengers can be transferred. In direct acting hydraulic lift, stroke
of the ram is equal to the lift of the cage.

SUSPENDED HYDRAULIC LIFT

Cage: It is fitted on the top of the sliding ram where the load is placed (i.e. lifted load).
Wire rope: It connects the cage to pulley.
Sliding ram: It is fitted in the fixed cylinder which is reciprocate (upward or downward
direction) when we applied the pressure (i.e. reaches the floor wise)
Pulleys: pulleys are connected to the sliding ram and fixed cylinder; where one pulley is fixed
and other pulley is movable.
Hydraulic jigger: It consists of a moving ram which slides inside a fixed hydraulic cylinder.
Fixed cylinder-: It is fixed with the wall of the floor, where the sliding ram reciprocate when
we apply the pressure.

WORKING OF SUSPENDED HYDRAULIC LIFT: When fluid under pressure is forced into
the cylinder, the ram gets reciprocate to the movable pulleys. With the help of arrangement of
hydraulic jigger; pulley can rotate; with the help of wire rope the cage is maintain their
pressure force with their floor. At required height, it can be made to stay in level with each
floor so that the good or passengers can be transferred. Working period of the lift is ratio of
the height of lift to the velocity of lift. Idle period of lift is the difference of the total time for
one operation and the working period of the lift.