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ROVs are also known as remote operated vehicles and are used most often in the offshore oil and gas industries.
ROVs are the type of vehicles that most of us find somewhat exciting as a concept. Imagine – some people are lucky enough to spend their entire day playing with, sorry controlling - a small submarine from aboard a boat or a floating platform or oil rig. The vehicle is equipped with a camera so that they can see where the vehicle is, its surroundings and get clear vision of any tasks that need to be performed. The ROV is connected to the surface by what is known as an umbilical.
The ROV may sound like an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) but the difference is the umbilical. It’s also often described as an underwater robot. Although they may weigh as much as 5 tonnes in the air and be as large as 2 metres x 3 metres x 2 metres in height, they can be controlled by monitoring and controlling equipment including hydraulic powered winches.
ROVs are designed to be neutrally buoyant once they are in the water as they are expected to be able to move underwater and perform as requested by their operator up on the surface.
Although most ROVs in service are being used for oil and gas extraction activities (95% of them) there is another 5% that is tasked with diamond mining and undersea cable maintenance.
As far as operators go, there are most likely around 500 ROV operators working and around 1000 observation class vehicles – otherwise known as OBSROVs. Together they make jobs for between 5,000 and 8,000 workers across the planet plus another 500 or so involved in their manufacture. In addition there are companies such as us who are involved in the peripheries by producing components such as hydraulic power packs that are used for winching these machines in and out of the water.
35% of operational ROVs are located in the North Sea, with more interest for their use developing further afield in countries such as China, Brazil, Australia and the Far East. The depth of the water they work in is as much as 3,000m or 10,000ft.
The ROV is an exciting piece of marine related technology that is capable of performing a wide range of tasks and is making waves in a number of industries.
In this article we want to explain the ins and outs of hydraulic powerpacks. A vital piece of equipment that is used with so many machines we see every day. In a nutshell, hydraulic powerpacks are self contained units that are used instead of a built in power supply for hydraulic machinery. Hydraulic power uses fluid to transmit power from one location to another in order to run a machine. It really is as simple as that. So what do they look like? In order to recognise and better understand hydraulic powerpacks, it is a good idea to get to know the key components. Hydraulic powerpacks come in many different shapes and sizes, some are very large and stationary whereas others are much smaller and more compact. In fact, some hydraulic powerpacks are so compact that they can easily be transported in a small van or even an estate car. The only real way to identify hydraulic powerpacks is through its main components. No matter the size of the unit, all power packs will have the following; a hydraulic reservoir, regulators, a pump, motor, pressure supply lines and relief lines. What do these components do? It may be obvious to some but in this post we wanted to explain every hydraulic power pack component as simply as possible. So here goes. First up is the hydraulic reservoir which quite simply holds the fluid. Reservoirs will come in different sizes. Then we have the regulators. Regulators are vital as they control and maintain the amount of pressure that the hydraulic powerpack delivers. Thirdly we have the pressure supply lines and relief lines. The supply line simply supplies fluid under pressure to the pump and the relief lines relieve pressure between the pump and the valves. The relief lines also control the direction of flow through the system. Finally we have the pump and a motor. We will begin with the simpler component of the two, the motor. The motor is simply there to power the pump. Easy as that. Now the pump generally performs two actions. Firstly, it operates as a vacuum at the pump inlet and through atmospheric pressure forces fluid from the reservoir into the inlet line and then to the pump. It then delivers the fluid to the pump outlet and pumps it into the hydraulic system. We did warn you that the second part would be slightly more confusing. So what is the function of hydraulic powerpacks? Hydraulic powerpacks deliver power through a control valve which in turn runs the machine it is connected to. Hydraulic powerpacks come with a variety of valve connections. This means that you can power a variety of machines by using the appropriate valves. Hydraulic powerpacks are relied upon by a range of different machines that use hydraulic power to do its work. If a machine is required to carry out heavy or systematic lifting then its likely it would need help from a hydraulic powerpack. To make it easier for you to understand, we have included a list of trades that regularly rely on our powerpacks. On a building site you will see machines like bulldozers and excavators, which both need hydraulic powerpacks. But, it is not just on building sites that you will find these types of machines. Fishermen and mechanics both need hydraulic powerpacks too. If we did not have them then how would fishermen lift their nets or how would mechanics lift our cars? When picking a hydraulic powerpack there are a variety of pumps and options to pick from and it is important to pick the right pack to meet your machines needs. It is also important to consider a pack that will help maximise productivity and minimise cost. Many people will overlook the necessity of hydraulic powerpacks, but they really are vital to ensuring our society runs efficiently. Do you need to maintain hydraulic powerpacks? Yes you do and this is hugely important! Hydraulic powerpacks require regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly and safely and to help extend their life. Maintaining hydraulic powerpacks is relatively simple and includes checking the tubing, this can be for any noticeable problems such as dents or cracks. It is also vital to regularly change the hydraulic fluid and look at the reservoir to check for any corrosion or rust in hydraulic power packs. What hydraulic powerpacks do we provide? Generally we provide four different types of hydraulic powerpacks. You can pick from a standard powerpack, a mini powerpack, a micro powerpack or a bespoke powerpack. The standard hydraulic powerpack uses a standard range of modular components and is ideal for the most demanding industrial applications. The mini powerpack is ideal for applications requiring up to 5.5kW. The micro hydraulic powerpacks were originally produced for mobility applications, so are great for when space is limited. Finally, if none of these seem to fit your needs then we offer bespoke hydraulic powerpacks ensuring your application gets the hydraulic powerpack it requires. Finally, who is the genius behind hydraulic powerpacks? The man behind hydraulics was Laissez Pascal. A French mathematician, physicist and religious philosopher who lived in the mid seventeenth century. Pascal made observations about fluid and pressure which led to Pascal’s law. Pascal's law states that when there is an increase in pressure at any point in a confined fluid, there is an equal increase at every other point in the container. Hydraulic powerpacks have been designed based on Pascal's law of physics, drawing their power from ratios of area and pressure.
So, interested in our Power Packs? Come on over to the main website and see what we can do for your Hydraulic Power Pack Needs .
Hydraulics has been around for a very long time. But are you aware of how far it has actually come? You wouldn’t be alone if you responded with no. It is a very technical subject that can be quite difficult to understand, but in this article we want to tell you the story of hydraulics! We want to share with you who discovered hydraulics, what it was originally used for and how hydraulic power got to where it is today. So why don’t we start at the beginning! Where does the word hydraulic come from? The word hydraulic originates from the Greek word ‘Hydros’ which means water. Why water? Well, this is because water was the first liquid to be used in the hydraulic system. Today, hydraulics includes the physical behaviour of all liquids, not just water.
In this blog we will be investigating hydraulic lifts; how they operate and why they are a cost effective, reliable alternative to other forms of lift power.
Along with traction lifts, hydraulic lifts are a popular choice for residential, corporate and construction applications and have a number of benefits over their traditional traction based counterparts.
As with any type of lift, hydraulic based lifts need to be maintained at regular intervals to ensure they operate reliably and effectively. Oil is a key part of the hydraulic set up as it is pumped from a purpose built oil reservoir through a hydraulic cylinder to operate the piston, which, in turn propels the lift. Oil cleanliness is paramount for this operation and is recommended to be checked at regular service intervals.
The key working components, i.e. the pump and oil reservoir are often situated in a machine room, commonly found in the near vicinity of the lift itself. This enables easy access for any maintenance engineer to check that things are working correctly with the lift and its components.
Operating the lift – In order for the lift to work correctly, the lift piston, which sits below the lift enclosure itself and controls its movement, must work in harmony with the oil that is pumped into the cylinder which controls the piston itself.
In order to get the lift to rise, the pump valve will need to be in the closed position, thus pushing the oil from the reservoir into the cylinder. The effects of gravity then come into play and the piston is pushed up, raising the lift in the process.
To lower the lift the opposite takes place, where the pump valve is opened and the oil is released back into the oil reservoir, thus allowing the piston, and the lift, in turn, to lower.
Advantages of using Hydraulic Lifts – Firstly, using a hydraulic lift will work out cheaper than its traction based equivalent, as it uses less components. There are no cables to set up along with other parts of machinery which are commonly situated above the lift shaft itself. This makes it a cost effective solution in general if a person is looking to meet a tight budget.
Speaking of cables, another advantage hydraulic lifts have is that they don’t rely on cables to operate making them a safer equivalent; if something were to go wrong with a hydraulic lift, it would lower at the same speed as the oil leaving the cylinder, thus reducing the likelihood of sudden drops.
If space is a key issue then hydraulic lifts are ideal as their main machinery is typically situated to the side of the lift in a machine room, as mentioned at the start of the blog. This leaves the lift shaft itself free from any space consuming machinery, which ultimately aids in the planning process.
At Hydraproducts, we specialise in a range of power packs and units that are suitable for lift applications and to support this, we have recently opened our Component Division, which offers a range of components from hydraulic pumps to cylinders to fit your bespoke unit. Feel free to browse the rest of our website to find out more about our products.
Hydraulic pumps, one of the more common mechanical applications of hydraulic technology, use fluid to push an arm a set distance forwards and backwards (or up and down). One example is the mechanical arms of a digger or other ground-working machinery. A hydraulic pump is perfect for this use, as the machinery works using the set distances between the components of the arms.
A hydraulic gear motor uses fluid to power movement for a much longer distance (or to put it another way, for an unspecified length of time). The motor works by running fluid through a chamber containing two cogs. One is linked to the drive shaft and transfers the power to the component that needs to move, and the other is idle, existing only to complete the mechanism. The same fluid is pumped through the motor chamber for as long as the power is needed, and it works in a similar fashion to an electric motor, but is much smaller and can be used in places where electricity is not safe or viable to use. It is a natural development of the waterwheel that was commonplace in the UK during the Industrial Revolution, powering cotton mills, woodworking and even bellows for blacksmiths forges.
A hydraulic gear motor is more appropriate than a pump for any piece of machinery that needs continuous power in a simple mechanism; a series of hydraulic pumps, arms and cogs can be used to create continuous power, but the resulting apparatus is bulky and made up of several components, which increases the likelihood of mechanical failure. A hydraulic motor, by comparison, can be very small and portable, meaning it is ideal for any application that is a long distance from traditional power sources and remote areas of the planet where other forms of energy are not viable. They are also reasonably simple in construction, so parts and maintenance are not an issue.
Hydraulic motors are ideal for use underwater and in dangerous places like mines and gas works, where the spark from an electric or petrol motor poses a serious fire risk. They are also good for any task where the motor is operated remotely, as the fluid can be pumped a long distance to the motor using comparatively little power and the only connection needed is piping, compared to more expensive electrical cable for running a remote electric motor. What is the most ingenious application of a hydraulic motor you have ever seen? Let us know in the comments below.
Having spent over two decades developing a wide range of appropriate hydraulic power units, we have been told by our customers that our hydraulic power units are on point. Not only are they well thought out but they are maintenance friendly, efficient and leak proof. Each one is designed using the most advanced 3D modelling in combination with reliable fluid power analysis tools.
Our hydraulic power units range from micro sized to no-nonsense 375kW systems that are used offshore in the subsea oil and gas industry. Hydraulic power units are often used for serious hard core roles. After all, what else can perform such feats as pulling cars out of canyons, moving massive volumes of earth or lifting giant trees? The only machines that can are hydraulic power units that can convert the movement of liquid into mechanical force.
Power units are actually fairly simple. Their task is to pressurise fluid so that it can perform tasks such as those mentioned above. The fluid is then pushed along through a series of values as it cannot be compressed, so any pressure will cause it to move. At the end of the line, it will go into a piston which will extend as it fills and this is where the magic happens. A giant boulder is lifted up from a river bed or a disabled person’s wheelchair is lifted onto a bus. There are no end to the possible applications of hydraulic power.
Here’s an introduction to our range of hydraulic power units and examples of how they can be used in factories and out in the field:
Standard Hydraulic Power units The most common requirements are satisfied by these workhorse power units. They offer AC motors up to 30kW and can produce flows up to 100 litres per minute. Holding up to 180 litres in the reservoir and producing hydraulic pressures of up to 250 bar, these machines are used across all manner of industries.
Easy to configure, assemble and maintain, these HPUs are often used for any application that needs a dependable source of power. Industrial machine applications include punching machines, niche areas such as charcoal drying drums and performing any lifting duties.
Mini Hydraulic Power Units The little brother of the standard isn’t workshy either. Expect AC and DC hydraulic power units that product 30 litres per minute with reservoirs that can hold up to 100 litres and produce 250 bar pressure. These are the machines that can handle up to 5.5 kW.
Our customers find that our mini hydraulic power unit is perfect for a range of applications such as cardboard compacting machines, climbing walls, car park access control equipment and machine tool clamps. They have been designed for easy maintenance and deliver years of trouble free operation. Some of our customers use them on applications that have produced over 1 million operations.
Micro Hydraulic Power units The smallest of our everyday offerings can still deliver serious power. Although it may have only an 89 mm wide footprint, this little beast is able to handle both reversible and uni-directional work, depending on what you need. DC motors range from 150 to 800 watts and the AC goes from 150 to 275 Watts with flow rates of 5 litres per minute. Hydraulic pressures of 200 bar are the norm.
Perfect for those applications where hydraulic power is needed but the space is limited. For example, our customers have fitted these to step lifts, wheelchair lifts and on through-floor lifts. Although they were originally designed for mobility applications, they have been found to be ideal for wider use including unmanned operations of pipeline control valves to tasks such as lifting glass into place on tall buildings.
Bespoke Hydraulic Products and Systems
Whatever you need, we can design it for you. We have already produced a broad array of hydraulic products that have been used for all manner or purposes across most industries.
Hydraulic power is still something that amazes us. When it comes to transmitting power, hydraulics offer the densest method of it. In the past, we’ve even developed a bespoke hydraulic power unit to flush out gearboxes in the pit garages of F1. You may not know it but next time you watch a movie and you see a full sized ship with rocking hulls on it, it could be one of our products that is creating that rock.
We enjoy solving hydraulic power challenges. If you have one and you don’t know quite how to solve it, contact us today and we’ll work with you to find a solution.
If you’re curious about how hydraulic cylinders work, then you could find this post to be interesting. Let’s take a look at these powerful components that make it possible to move and lift the heaviest of items with ease.
You may not have ever considered this before, but what do you think deploys those huge wheels that aircraft need to land? They are put away tidily throughout a flight, and then when they’re approaching Heathrow, out they pop and all at the pilot’s press of a button.
Landing gear is operated through a hydraulic system. As with any hydraulic system, there are pipes, cylinders and of course hydraulic fluid. The fundamentals of this are the same as with any hydraulic system. When force is applied at one point, it is transmitted to another through the use of incompressible fluid.
Hydraulic cylinders mostly come in parallel pairs that are of differing diameters and are connected by a pipe. The cylinders will be at right angle to the pipe. This arrangement is then filled with a hydraulic fluid such as oil until the cylinders are partly filled.
The space that is left in the hydraulic cylinders will enable the pistons to operate. In one cylinder, the piston will be smaller than in the other. Fluid will be pushed into the chamber of the small piston and when force is applied, it will push the fluid into the chamber of the big piston as it will be incompressible fluid. This will then move the big piston. Due to the difference in size, the effect of the small piston’s movement will be multiplied. So for example if a small piston has a downward force applied to it of 100 lbs – the force on the big piston will be 900 lbs.
Hydraulic cylinders remove the need for a rigid structure when it comes to transferring force between two different points. This can be used to the hydraulic system’s designer’s benefit and a number of twists and turns can be added to the system. For example, there might be a space constraint. Using the different cylinders at different sizes, it’s possible to create a system that will pull, push or even lift heavy weights.
Although the hydraulic systems that are used in our everyday life are not built with cylinders quite as basic as what’s described above, they are fairly similar. Let’s look at the different components involved:
· Cylinder barrel
· Piston rod
· Cylinder bottom (Cap)
· Piston
· Cylinder head
· Cylinder bottom connection
· Rod glands
· Seals
· Cushions
There are two different main types of hydraulic cylinders used. The tie rod type of cylinders and the welded body type. The former are used when there is a need for heavy-duty industrial or commercial use. Some are small bore and others large bore. The welded body cylinder type has no steel rods in it. The top of the barrel of the cylinder is welded directly onto the object that is expected and designed to move. Although these cylinders are small in size, they are used in a surprisingly large number of different machines. In some cases it’s necessary to use a telescoping hydraulic cylinder where the piston rod will retract into the barrel of the cylinder.
Hydraulic power has really evolved over the last 50 years or so. Much of the progress has come from the aeronautical industry, surprisingly. Although hydraulics have been used since before the time of the first recorded history, it’s only now that they have really come of age and have made such a tremendous difference to us in so many fields.
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