Steering and Hydraulic Control Systems

The automobile industry is quite large. Since the rise in vehicular development new features have been introduced with time. All types of vehicles or cars have several crucial components and steering is one of them. The steering system can be defined as a part within the steering control that helps the driver of the car to turn the car in the desired direction. While doing this, the steering helps to ensure that safety is maintained while driving at a particular speed range. Steering can also be defined as the particular system that allows the vehicle to turn in the desired direction by usually turning the front wheel. 

Steering and Hydraulic control systems

The steering systems that are used in modern times are known as power steering. It is essentially of types namely hydraulic and electric. With the help of a power steering system, a driver can control the heading car’s direction through the application of minimum effort for steering. At the same time, it also provides the driver with a suitable amount of road feel. A larger cross-section of the tire, High weight of axle as well as front-wheel driving for most of the passengers makes power steering an important feature of safety within vehicles. 

As discussed previously, HPAS (Hydraulic power steering system) and EPAS (Electric power steering system) are two vital types of the steering system. Among these, the automobile industry does wide utilization of the HPAS system. This system has high handling ease as well as stability. Within the HPAS system, a certain amount of torque is added to the torque that has been already applied which helps in reducing the efforts for operations of automobile wheel turning. Through the adaptation of the steering and hydraulic control systems, one can comfortably and smoothly drive the vehicle without considering its weight or size. EPAS is more energy-efficient than HPAS. However, HPAS is easier to maintain thereby reducing the expenses for repairing the damage. 

Steering and Hydraulic control systems formula

To discuss the Steering and Hydraulic control system formulas, first we need to know about a hydraulic control system which involves any fluid-based operations instead of pneumatic or electronic power. During shifting of the control units within these systems, the internal fluid starts moving throughout the inner working of the machines. As it starts to move, this non-compressible fluid starts transferring force within the system to influence motion. Hydraulic control systems mostly rely on the law Pascal.

The Steering and Hydraulic control system formula for a Hydraulic Motor has been provided in the following. 

Motor Torque (specifically in lbs) = [displacement of motor (cu ins/rev) * pressure (psi)] / 6.28

(This can also be written as 63,025 * horsepower (hp) / speed (rpm)

Motor speed (in rpm) = rate of flow (gpm) * 231 / displacement of motor (cu ins / rev)

Horsepower of motor (hp) = speed of motor (rpm) * torque (in lbs) / 63,025

Rate of motor flow (gpm) = displacement of motor (cu ins / rev) * speed of motor (rpm) / 231

Displacement of motor (cu ins / rev) = torque (in lbs) * 6.28 / pressure (psi)

Steering and Hydraulic control systems examples

There are several instances in our daily life in which the Steering and Hydraulic control systems examples are visible. These have been outlined in the following.

Hydraulic Brakes: A vehicle’s braking system is important concerning hydraulics. They are specifically categorized based on the distribution of brake force (double and single acting) as well as the mechanism of frictional contact (disk brake and drum brake). 

Hydraulic steering: Hydraulic power steering is quite important in vehicles, which helps in changing the direction of the vehicle in right or left.   This system facilitates the absorption of road shocks and helps in reducing the driver’s efforts. 

Hydraulic jacks: Hydraulic jacks are very strong and facilitate the lifting of heavier loads. Hydraulic jacks can be mostly classified into floor jacks and bottle jacks. A hydraulic jack involves a pumping and cylinder system. That helps in transferring and storing hydraulic systems. The system of pumping involves a mechanically powered or hand-powered pump for the application of pressure on the fluid.

Conclusion

The overall article has been carried out on the core topic of Steering and Hydraulic control systems. Proper understanding in regards to vehicular steering as well as hydraulic systems is vital in the case of Chemical engineering. The main topic has been further analyzed through discussion of Steering and Hydraulic control systems examples and formulas.