Size is not important... Threat is! Improving Fluid Power System Reliability

摘要

The paper identifies a historical misinterpretation in measuring hydraulic system reliability, namely that fluid cleanliness is judged by measuring the size of the particulate contaminant removed from the system rather than by the ultimate threat posed by the contaminants material composition.rnIt will outline the historic approach to contaminants prevalent in the fluid power industry and introduce an important potential for improvement that has, up to now, been underappreciated. It will then explain how filtration technologies have inherent limitations that force compromises in the design, manufacture and use of fluid power systems. Over time these limitations have driven industry practice and thinking and possibly contributed to a limited view of the problem and potential solutions.rnThe paper will then explore an innovative approach that provides a very simple alternative technology that will deliver improvements in efficiency and performance for new fluid power & lubrication systems.