Fluid Power

Fluid power is a term describing hydraulics and pneumatics technologies. Both technologies use a fluid (liquid or gas) to transmit power from one location to another. With hydraulics, the fluid is a liquid (usually oil), whereas pneumatics uses a gas (usually compressed air).

Both are forms of power transmission, which is the technology of converting power to a more useable form and distributing it to where it is needed. The common methods of power transmission are electrical, mechanical, and fluid power.

Fluid power systems generally can transmit equivalent power within a much smaller space than mechanical or electrical drives can, especially when extremely high force or torque is required.

Fluid power systems also offer simple and effective control of direction, speed, force, and torque using simple control valves. Fluid power systems often do not require electrical power, which eliminates the risk of electrical shock, sparks, fire, and explosions.