Fluid power has the highest power density of all conventional power-transmission technologies. Learn the benefits and limitations of fluid power, how to analyze fluid power components and circuits, and how to design and simulate fluid power circuits for applications.
In this course, you will be introduced to the fundamental principles and analytical modeling of fluid power components, circuits, and systems.
You will learn the benefits and limitations of fluid power compared with other power transmission technologies; the operation, use, and symbols of common hydraulic components; how to formulate and analyze models of hydraulic components and circuits; and how to design and predict the performance of fluid power circuits.
This course is supported by the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, and is endorsed by the National Fluid Power Association, the leading industry trade group in fluid power.
Fundamentals of Fluid Power
Offered By
University of Minnesota
About this Course
4.8
426 ratings
Skills you will gain
EnergyHybrid Vehicle ManufacturingHydraulicsMechanical Engineering
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
Week 1: Fundamentals of Fluid Power
This week: An overview of the course, introduction to hydraulics and pneumatics, and introduction to fundamental concepts of fluid power through the cylinder.
9 videos (Total 60 min), 10 readings, 1 quiz
9 videos
Course Overview 5m
What is fluid power?4m
Hydraulics and Pneumatics3m
Fluid Power compared to Electric Motors1m
Introducing the Cylinder10m
Fluid power variables and units11m
Theory: Two fundamental laws, important to fluid power10m
Efficiency10m
10 readings
Start Here!10m
Syllabus10m
Simscape Fluids (formerly SimHydraulics) Information10m
Learning objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Homework problems10m
1 practice exercise
Week 1 Quiz10m
Week
22 hours to complete
Week 2: Components and Concepts: Part 1
This week: circuit diagrams, the written language of fluid power, and how fluid flows through conduits. We hope that you find the hydraulic circuits on the mowing machine as interesting as we did.
5 videos (Total 46 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Introducing Conduits4m
Fluid Viscosity8m
Pressure Drop in Pipes10m
Pressure Drop in Fittings4m
7 readings
Objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Homework problems10m
1 practice exercise
Week 212m
Week
34 hours to complete
Week 3: Components and Concepts: Part 2
This will be a busy week diving into valves and pumps. We will discuss how basic valves function, how to use them in hydraulic circuits, and how to calculate pressure drop for a given flow rate, or vice versa. The videos will directly address the discussion on the forum about seeing hydraulic components working in real world circuits. In our discussion of pumps we will look at many different positive displacement pumps, exploring flow ripple and pump efficiency, look at the supporting components that form a hydraulic power supply, and see how we can make a transmission with a hydraulic pump and a motor. We are now into the heart of this course; we hope you enjoy seeing the components come together into useful circuits.
9 videos (Total 97 min), 10 readings, 1 quiz
9 videos
Theory: Orifice flow16m
Check Valves7m
Introducing Pumps9m
Library of Pumps12m
Pump Flow Ripple5m
Pumping Efficiency16m
Basic Hydraulic Power Supply10m
Pump Application: Hydrostatic transmission11m
10 readings
Objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Objectives10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Homework Problems10m
1 practice exercise
Week 310m
Week
42 hours to complete
Week 4: Predicting Performance Through Simulation
This week is entirely devoted to you learning how to use Simscape Fluids (formerly SimHydraulics), the fluid power simulation application that we use in the course. The lecture provides an introduction to computer-based, object-oriented simulation, and goes through a demo of using Simscape Fluids. The homework assignment contains the real work because this is where you will learn to use Simscape Fluids. The homework ends with an open-ended problem that encourages you to branch out on your own and create and run simulations based on examples listed in the course Simscape Fluids resource page or on any other fluid power system that interests you. We will be monitoring the discussion boards to help you with any technical problems with Simscape Fluids.
*NOTE: The lecture videos were created using an earlier version of SimHydraulics; some small difference exist with the most recent version of Simscape Fluids, but the general approach is the same.
*THERE IS NO QUIZ THIS WEEK as we recognize that a few of you may not be able to get Simscape Fluids running on your computer. Happy simulating!
1 video (Total 28 min), 6 readings
1 video
Simulation27m
6 readings
Objectives10m
Download and install Simscape Fluids10m
Video Slides10m
Background Material10m
Homework problems10m
Week 4 Quiz: *THERE IS NO QUIZ FOR THIS WEEK.10m
4.8
124 Reviews36%
started a new career after completing these courses
35%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
21%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top Reviews
Good course with basic review of Fluid mechanics in pipe flow, hydraulics component and application as well as basics in Simscape. More intensive version of this course would be great
Teachers were great and made the subject quite interesting. The accumulator portion will aid me in further understanding the operation of fluid equipment at work. Thanks for this!
Instructors
James D. Van De Ven, PhD
Assistant ProfessorMechanical Engineering
Will Durfee, PhD
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching ProfessorMechanical Engineering
About University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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