1. What is Hydraulic Cylinder Speed Calculation?

Definition: This calculator determines the extension or retraction speed of a hydraulic cylinder based on the flow rate and piston area.

Purpose: It helps hydraulic system designers and maintenance technicians predict cylinder movement speed for proper system operation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Cylinder speed (meters/second)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (cubic meters/second)
• \( A \) — Piston area (square meters)

Explanation: The flow rate divided by the piston area gives the linear velocity of the piston rod.

3. Importance of Cylinder Speed Calculation

Details: Proper speed calculation ensures optimal machine operation, prevents damage from excessive speeds, and helps in cycle time estimation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hydraulic flow rate in m³/s and the piston area in m². Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find the piston area?
A: For circular pistons, use \( A = \pi r² \) where r is the piston radius.

Q2: What if I know the diameter instead of radius?
A: Use \( A = \pi (d/2)² \) where d is the piston diameter.

Q3: How does rod diameter affect retraction speed?
A: Retraction speed is faster because the effective area is smaller (piston area minus rod area).

Q4: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses metric units (m³/s and m²). For other units, convert them first.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It gives theoretical speed. Actual speed may be slightly less due to friction, leakage, and other factors.