Modelling, Monitoring and Diagnostic Techniques for Fluid Power Systems

Today, fluid power systems, hydraulic and pneumatic, in alliance with advanced electronics, provide the world with an unprecedented array of applications and systems from heavy-lifting equipment to spray painting, injection moulding, motion control and product assembly. In common with other facets of modern industrial operation, fluid power systems must be examined with a view to obtaining:

• the highest product quality;
• optimised efficiency;
• improved safety;
• maximum profitability.

Modelling, Monitoring and Diagnostic Techniques for Fluid Power Systems covers the background theory of fluid power and indicates the range of concepts necessary for a modern approach to condition monitoring and fault diagnosis in a readable an understandable fashion. The theory is constantly leavened by 15-years-worth of practical measurements by the author, working in association with major fluid power companies, and real industrial case studies – hot-strip-mill monitoring in conjunction with Corus p.l.c. being just one example.

The comprehensive reference for its subject, this book gives the first integrated exposition of the fluid power applications of many of the techniques it describes: time-encoded signal processing; artificial neural networks and expert systems among others. Advantages and limitations of the different paths are presented to emphasise that the reader should consider the gamut of methods leading to positive decision-making regarding fault diagnosis. Four parts combine to produce a thorough and all-embracing whole:

• an introduction to component behaviour;
• a guide to the modelling methods employed for circuit analysis;
• methods for doing condition monitoring;
• common faults and breakdowns.

Modelling, Monitoring and Diagnostic Techniques for Fluid Power Systems tells practicing fluid power engineers all they need to know about keeping track of the "health" of their equipment, processes and products. With nearly four hundred references to provide a good overview of the subject and to stimulate further research, this reference will also be invaluable to graduate and senior undergraduate students entering the field.