BASIC HYDRAULIC THEORY
The basis for all hydraulic systems is expressed by Pascal's law which states the pressure exerted anywhere upon an enclosed liquid is transmitted undiminished, in all directions, to the interior of the container. This principle allows large forces to be generated with relatively little effort.
The simplest hydraulic circuit consists of a reservoir, pump, relief valve, 3-way directional control valve, single acting cylinder, connectors and lines. This system is used where the cylinder piston is returned by mechanical force. With the control valve in neutral, pump flow passes through the valve and back to the reservoir. With the valve shifted, oil is directed to the piston side of the cylinder, causing the piston to move, extending the rod. If the valve is returned to neutral, the oil is trapped in the cylinder, holding it in a fixed position, while the pump flow is returned to the reservoir. Shifting the valve in the opposite direction permits the oil to pass through the valve back to the reservoir. The relief valve limits the system pressure to a pre-set amount.
