Knowledge
Air Driven Hydraulic Pumps: Power and Efficiency
2024/ 08/ 20
Air driven hydraulic pumps generate hydraulic pressure from compressed air. On machines that need hydraulic pressure for clamping or holding, they can take the place of an electric hydraulic power unit, using the compressed air that is already available in the plant.
Key Features of Air Driven Hydraulic Pumps
- Runs on shop air: no electric pump motor is needed at the machine.
- Compact: the unit can be installed close to the machine or fixture it serves.
- Holds pressure without running: once the set pressure is reached, the pump stops and only restarts when pressure drops.
- Configurable: multiple control valves can be combined in one unit for several hydraulic circuits.
How Do Air Driven Hydraulic Pumps Work?
Compressed air drives a large air piston back and forth, and the piston drives a small hydraulic plunger that pumps oil into the circuit. The output pressure is set by the air pressure and the area ratio between the air piston and the plunger. As the hydraulic pressure approaches the set value, the forces balance and the pump stalls; it holds pressure without cycling, and starts again automatically when pressure falls.
Where They Are Used
- Machine tools and fixtures: hydraulic workholding that must hold clamping force for long cutting cycles.
- Presses and assembly equipment: pressing, bending and fitting operations that need hydraulic force from a compact source.
- Replacing small hydraulic power units: where a motor-driven pump would spend most of its time idling just to hold pressure.
HINAKA's AHP Air-Driven Hydraulic Pump Units
HINAKA's AHP units are air-driven hydraulic pump units designed for industrial machines that need hydraulic pressure for clamping and holding.
- Automatic operation: the pump stops when the hydraulic pressure reaches the set value and restarts if pressure drops.
- Proven pressure holding: in HINAKA's 168-hour holding test, the pressure drop stayed below 10%.
- No motor heat while holding: because the pump stalls rather than running continuously, it avoids the heat that builds up in an idling motor-driven pump.
- High and low pressure: the AHPT version combines high- and low-pressure output for large oil flow and short approach times.
- Recognised for energy saving: the AHP received the first Excellence in Energy Saving Award for fluid power products in Taiwan.
Why Choose HINAKA?
- Engineering focus: HINAKA, founded in 1988, designs and manufactures its own pneumatic and hydraulic components in Taiwan.
- Customization: valve combinations and pressure settings are configured for your circuit.
- Comprehensive support: from selection to installation and maintenance.
Conclusion
An air driven hydraulic pump gives a machine hydraulic pressure for clamping and holding without a motor-driven power unit, and holds that pressure without running continuously. Contact us with your required pressure, oil flow and number of circuits to discuss the right AHP configuration.
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