Which factor affects the speed of a hydraulic fluid power actuator?

Which factor affects the speed of a hydraulic fluid power actuator?

• A. Oil viscosity
• B. How fast fluid can be moved into and out of a cylinder
• C. Piston diameter
• D. Temperature of the oil

Answer: (B)

The speed of a hydraulic actuator is determined by the flow rate into and out of the cylinder. The piston velocity is the volumetric flow rate Q divided by the piston area A (V = Q/A), so the faster the fluid can be moved in and out, the faster the piston travels. Viscosity and temperature affect how easily fluid flows (changing resistance and required pressure) but mostly influence speed indirectly rather than setting it directly. The piston diameter changes the moving area, so for a given flow rate a larger diameter yields slower motion. In short, the direct determinant is how quickly the fluid can be moved into and out of the cylinder.

The speed of a hydraulic actuator is determined by the flow rate into and out of the cylinder. The piston velocity is the volumetric flow rate Q divided by the piston area A (V = Q/A), so the faster the fluid can be moved in and out, the faster the piston travels. Viscosity and temperature affect how easily fluid flows (changing resistance and required pressure) but mostly influence speed indirectly rather than setting it directly. The piston diameter changes the moving area, so for a given flow rate a larger diameter yields slower motion. In short, the direct determinant is how quickly the fluid can be moved into and out of the cylinder.