How Does a Hydraulic Cylinder Work

A number of industrial products and machines utilize cylinders for their operations, and one of the most common cylinder types used here is the hydraulic cylinder. What is a hydraulic cylinder, how does a hydraulic cylinder work, and what should you know about these cylinders for any industrial setup?

At Metro Hydraulic, we’ve been providing high-quality hydraulic industrial products to clients since 1941. Our hydraulic cylinders are most often used in various construction, manufacturing and other heavy-duty environments that require heavy load movement. Here’s a basic breakdown of what hydraulic cylinders are, how a hydraulic cylinder works, and some of the top manufacturers we carry these products from.

What is a Hydraulic Cylinder?

For those just learning about hydraulic cylinders, here’s a brief explanation of what they are. A hydraulic cylinder is a mechanical actuator that utilizes pressurized hydraulic fluid to produce linear motion and force. This means it converts the energy from the fluid into useful work in order to move and lift heavy loads.

Hydraulic cylinders come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, but they all have one thing in common: they use fluid pressure to create a linear movement. This is in contrast to air-based cylinders, which use compressed air instead.

How Does a Hydraulic Cylinder Work?

So how does a hydraulic cylinder work? Here are its basic components, plus how they function together:

• Barrel: This is the outer cylinder that houses all the other components in a hydraulic cylinder. It may be made from stainless steel, aluminum, or other durable materials.
• Piston: A piston is a movable part that divides the barrel into two chambers – one for pressurized fluid (known as the rod side), and another for returning fluid to the reservoir (known as the cap side). The piston has seals along its surface that prevent fluid leakage.
• Piston rod: This is a long, slender rod that connects the piston to the machine component being moved. The piston rod is responsible for transmitting force from the piston to the machine component.
• Seals: As mentioned earlier, seals are used in hydraulic cylinders to prevent fluid leakage. They are typically made from rubber or other durable materials and help maintain the pressure difference between the two chambers.
• Sliding rings: Also known as wear rings, these components are placed on either side of the piston to reduce friction and prevent metal-to-metal contact.
• Fluid: Hydraulic cylinders use a specific type of fluid, usually oil or water-based hydraulic fluids. These fluids are incompressible, meaning they cannot be compressed to occupy less space. This property allows them to transfer energy efficiently from one chamber to another.

Single Acting Vs. Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinders

One key differentiator for hydraulic cylinders is their actuation method. There are two main types of hydraulic cylinders – single acting and double acting cylinders.

• Single Acting Cylinders: These cylinders only have one pressure port, with the fluid entering through it to the rod side of the piston. Once the pressurized fluid pushes on the piston, it extends outward and generates force in one direction. To return to its original position, an external force or a spring must be used.
• Double Acting Cylinders: As the name suggests, these cylinders can generate force in both directions by having two ports – one for extension and another for retraction. This allows for more precise control over the movement of heavy loads.

Down related lines, there are also single rod and double rod cylinders. Single rod cylinders have one rod extending from the piston, while double rod cylinders have two rods – one on each side of the piston.

Top Manufacturers We Carry

At Metro Hydraulic, we pride ourselves on offering a wide selection of high-quality hydraulic cylinder products from some of the industry’s top manufacturers. Here are just a few of the brands we carry for hydraulic cylinders:

• Enerpac: Considered one of the global leaders in hydraulic tools since 1910, Enerpac offers a wide range of hydraulic cylinders for various industrial applications.
• SIMPLEX: Another company with over 100 years of experience, SIMPLEX produces top-of-the-line hydraulic and mechanical tools for rugged industrial use.
• SPX Power Team: It’s easy to find SPX Power Team products on construction sites and in other heavy-duty environments.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re in need of high-quality hydraulic cylinders for your industrial setup, check out the selection available at Metro Hydraulic today! Our experienced team is always here to help with any questions or concerns you may have.  Whether you need a single acting cylinder for light duty applications or a double acting cylinder for heavy duty lifting, we have something to fit your needs. Trust us for all your hydraulic needs!