Hydrostatic drives

A hydrostatic drive is a type of transmission that is often used on heavy equipment. Hydrostatic
transmissions use oil pressure from a hydraulic pump to power hydraulic motors.
How does hydrostatic drive work?
Hydrostatic Operation
Usually powered by a standard engine, the hydrostatic pump uses pressurized oil to move
pistons in the hydrostatic drive system. The movement of the pistons transfers power to the
hydrostatic motors, which then engage the drive wheels on your lawn mower.

Is a hydrostatic transmission better?

A hydrostatic transmission works like an automatic transmission, but uses fluid rather than
belts to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. This transmission offers a smoother ride,
requires less maintenance and lasts longer.

Early hydrostatic transmissions were intended primarily for low-cost applications such as farm
equipment and garden tractors. But improved designs -- particularly in controls -- have made
these transmissions suitable for a broad range of applications.

Hydrostatic drives are widely recognized as an excellent means of power transmission when
variable output speed is required. Typically outperforming mechanical and electrical variable-
speed drives and gear-type transmissions, they offer fast response, maintain precise speed under
varying loads, and allow infinitely variable speed control from zero to maximum.

Unlike gear transmissions, hydrostatics have a continuous power curve without peaks and
valleys, and they can increase available torque without shifting gears. But despite the superior
performance of hydrostatics, a major drawback has been higher cost compared to their
mechanical counterparts.

A basic hydrostatic transmission is an entire hydraulic system. It contains pump, motor, and all
required controls in one simple package. Such a system provides all the noted advantages of a
conventional hydraulic system -- such as stepless adjustment of speed, torque, and power; plus
smooth and controllable acceleration; ability to be stalled without damage; and easy
controllability -- with the convenience of single-package procurement installation.

As a result, light-duty units (less than 20 hp) are being used on equipment such as lawn tractors,
golf-course maintenance equipment, and small machine tools; medium-duty units (25 to 50 hp)
on skid-steer loaders, trenchers, harvesters, and other such vehicles; and heavy-duty
transmissions (approximately 60 hp and higher) on agricultural and large construction
equipment.

Part of the reason for the increasing attractiveness of hydrostatic transmissions is improved
design of pumps and motors -- particularly higher flow and pressure ratings in a more compact
package. For example, several years ago, most pumps could be expected to deliver about 0.125-
gpm flow per pound of pump. Currently available pumps deliver about 0.5 gpm/lb, a 400%
increase. Similarly, older motors provided about 0.5 hp/lb of motor; new motors provide about
2.5 hp/lb.

Performance: Hydrostatic transmissions are commonly available with at least three standards of
output performance:

 Variable-power, variable-torque transmissions are based on a variable-displacement

pump supplying a variable-displacement motor. They can provide a combination of
constant torque and constant power. These units are adjustable, flexible, and expensive.
 Constant-torque, variable-power transmissions are based on a variable-displacement
pump supplying fluid to a fixed-displacement motor under constant load. Speed is
controlled by varying pump delivery. This is considered the best general-purpose drive,
with wide speed ranges, up to 42:1, and simple controls.
 Constant-power, variable-torque transmissions are based on a variable-displacement pump with
a power limiter, driving a fixed-displacement motor. The forte of this unit is efficiency, but speed
range is usually limited to 4:1.

Drive configurations: Hydrostatic transmissions usually take one of two general configurations,
split or close coupled. A split transmission consists of a power unit with the hydraulic pump, heat
exchanger, filters, valves, and controls mounted on a reservoir. The hydraulic motor is remotely
mounted and connected to the power unit through hose or tubing. Split transmissions are
typically used in heavy-duty applications because they offer wide flexibility in configuring a
system for the most efficient use of space or best weight distribution.

Integrated, or close-coupled, transmissions have a hydraulic pump and motor that share a
common valving surface. This arrangement provides an extremely short oil-flow path,
eliminating high-pressure oil leaks either to the reservoir or to the environment. A cast casing or
housing provides a self-contained oil reservoir, structural support for the rotating elements, and
heat dissipation. They are usually bolted directly to a mechanical differential axle to form a
hydrostatic transaxle. Close-coupled transmissions are typically found in light-duty applications,
where tight space constraints require compact units, while high-volume production mandates
easy assembly.

Transmission sizing: Hydrostatic transmission size normally is based on the corner horsepower
of the work function. Corner horsepower is the product of the maximum force and maximum
speed required by the function, even though these two conditions rarely occur simultaneously.
Corner horsepower for vehicle propulsion is

Hc = ( Ft * V ) / 3,600n

where Hc = corner horsepower, kW; Ft = maximum vehicle tractive force, N; V = maximum

vehicle speed, km/h; and n = final drive efficiency, %.

Transmission corner horsepower, Ht, is the product of maximum output torque (generally at a
specified maximum pressure) and maximum output speed:
Ht = ( Tt * N ) / 9,550

:where T = theoretical torque at maximum system pressure, N-m; t = torque efficiency, %; and N
= maximum transmission speed, rpm.

Initial transmission selection is made by comparing the results of these calculations. Selection is
refined by considering the effects of duty cycle, final-drive ratio, rolling radius, primer-mover
speed, and design life.

Electronic controls: Control capabilities for hydrostatic transmissions have advanced from
simple remote electrical actuators to packages that offer complete optimization of machine
performance. For example, electronics on paving equipment not only controls the transmission,
including speed and rate of acceleration and deceleration, but also steering, paving height, rate of
material flow, road crown, slope on curves, and so on.

While not currently economical for every application, proportional controls offer a reasonable
payback in most traction drives and propel systems through fuel savings and increased
productivity. Acceptance will quicken when the added benefits in addition to primary control are
recognized. One such feature is performance monitoring, another is system diagnostics -- relating
when servicing is needed, when failure is imminent, or where a failure has occurred. Such
features are relatively easy to add into software because many of the variables needed are already
measured for control.

What's the difference between automatic and hydrostatic?

The biggest difference between the two is that you've got pistons creating the hydraulic flow in
a hydrostatic application, while automatic transmissions use a torque converter. Automatic
Transmissions are progressive speed transmissions that are controlled by a torque converter.

What is the advantage of hydrostatic transmission?

In addition to increased maneuverability, a hydrostatic drive vehicle offers several other
advantages: 1. It operates over a wide range of torque/speed ratios. Once a gear ratio is selected
with a direct-drive transmission, the only speed variation available is that achieved by
controlling engine speed.

Hydraulic pumps
What drives a hydraulic pump?
A hydraulic pump is a mechanical source of power that converts mechanical power into
hydraulic energy (hydrostatic energy i.e. flow, pressure). It generates flow with enough power to
overcome pressure induced by the load at the pump outlet. ... Hydrodynamic pumps are more
frequent in day-to-day life.

What is difference between hydraulic pump and motor?

Hydraulic pump is connected with the prime mover, and the pump shaft has no additional radial
load; while hydraulic motor is connected with the load, such as sprockets, pulleys, gears and so
on, its main shaft will bear a higher radial load. ... The low pressure chamber of the hydraulic
pump is usually vacuum.

Can you use a hydraulic pump as a motor?

For this reason, some hydraulic pumps with fixed displacement volumes may also be used as
hydraulic motors. A hydraulic motor works the other way round as it converts hydraulic energy
into mechanical energy: a rotating shaft. It uses hydraulic pressure and flow to generate the
required torque and rotation.

How does a hydraulic motor works?

Hydraulic motors are rotary actuators that convert hydraulic, or fluid energy into mechanical
power. They work in tandem with a hydraulic pump, which converts mechanical power into
fluid, or hydraulic power. ... Fixed-displacement motors drive a load at a constant speed while a
constant input flow is provided.

What is the most efficient hydraulic pump?

Piston pumps, such as this Hengli America, are some of the most efficient hydraulic pump
designs available.
What are the different types of hydraulic pumps?
Three different types of hydraulic pumps exist: gear pumps, piston pumps and vane pumps

What does a hydraulic pump do?

A hydraulic pump is a mechanical device that converts mechanical power into hydraulic
energy. It generates flow with enough power to overcome pressure induced by the load. When a
hydraulic pump operates, it performs two functions.
Where are hydraulic pumps used?
Generally speaking, hydraulic pumps are used more frequently in cases where the application is
severe. Hydraulic pumps are most commonly found in steel mills, foundries, lifts, conveyors,
injection molding machines, shear and stamping presses, mixers, forklifts, pallet jacks and more.
Where are hydraulic pumps used?
Generally speaking, hydraulic pumps are used more frequently in cases where the application is
severe. Hydraulic pumps are most commonly found in steel mills, foundries, lifts, conveyors,
injection molding machines, shear and stamping presses, mixers, forklifts, pallet jacks and more
How does a hydraulic piston pump work?
Piston pumps and plunger pumps use a mechanism (typically rotational) to create a
reciprocating motion along an axis, which then builds pressure in a cylinder or working barrel to
force gas or fluid through the pump. The pressure in the chamber actuates the valves at both the
suction and discharge points.
How does a hydraulic pump and motor work?
A hydraulic pump converts mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. When a hydraulic
pump operates, it performs two functions. ... Second, its mechanical action delivers this liquid to
the pump outlet and forces it into the hydraulic system. A pump produces liquid movement or
flow: it does not generate pressure.
Which motor is used in pumps?
Most of the centrifugal pumps are powered by an induction motor. A squirrel cage induction
motor is used in a water pump that comes with a 3 phase AC supply. Such motors are less
efficient as they are standardized and not individually designed for specific applications.
Do pumps create pressure?
When the liquid slows down in the pump casing, some of the kinetic energy is converted to
pressure energy. It is the resistance to the pump's flow that is read on a pressure gauge
attached to the discharge line. A pump does not create pressure, it only creates flow. Pressure
is a measurement of the resistance to flow.

Pumps are classified into three different ways

I. Classification based on displacement:

1. Non-positive displacement pumps
2.Positive displacement pumps
II. Classification based on delivery:
1. Constant delivery pumps.
2. Variable delivery pumps.
III. Classification based on motion:
1. Rotary pump.
2. Reciprocating pump.
Differences between positive displacement pumps and non-positive displacement pumps
Positive Displacement Pumps Non-positive Displacement Pumps
1. The flow rate does not change with head. 1. The flow rate decreases with head.
2. The flow rate is not much affected by the 2. The flow rate decreases with the viscosity.
viscosity of fluid.
3. Efficiency is almost constant with head. 3. Efficiency increases with head at first and
then decreases

Function hydraulic motor

Hydraulic motors are rotary actuators. However, the name rotary actuator is reserved for a
particular type of unit that is limited in rotation to less than 360 degree. A hydraulic motor is a
device which converts fluid power into rotary power or converts fluid pressure into torque.
Classification of Hydraulic Motors
1. Gear motors. 2. Vane motors. 3. Piston motors:
i. Axial piston-type motors.
ii. Radial piston-type motors