What is hydraulic cylinder leakage?

As a key component of the hydraulic system, the sealing performance of the hydraulic cylinder has a decisive impact on the overall efficiency of mechanical equipment. However, due to the influence of various factors, leakage faults may occur in the hydraulic cylinder, which not only shortens its service life but also leads to a decline in production efficiency. To effectively solve this problem, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth analysis of the leakage types of the hydraulic cylinder and its main influencing factors.

Types of leakage in hydraulic cylinders.

Hydraulic cylinder faults can be classified into external leakage and internal leakage. External leakage usually occurs on external components such as the cylinder barrel and oil pipe interfaces, and the problem is relatively obvious and can generally be detected without special techniques. Internal leakage, on the other hand, occurs between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder, where high-pressure oil in the high-pressure chamber seeps into the low-pressure chamber. It is relatively concealed and requires professional judgment.

Hydraulic cylinder external leakage

External leakage of hydraulic cylinders refers to the leakage of hydraulic oil from the outside of the cylinder, which causes the cylinder to fail to function properly. It is usually caused by the following reasons: 1. Aging or damage of seals 2. Roughness or wear on the piston rod surface 3. Excessive working pressure 4. Improper use or installation.

Regarding the sealing issue, the unreasonable selection of sealing elements and aging and wear of the elements are the key factors. Firstly, if the selection of sealing elements fails to fully consider the actual requirements of system operation, resulting in deviations in structural design, then sealing problems may arise. Secondly, the aging problem of sealing elements cannot be ignored. During the long-term use of hydraulic cylinders, sealing elements inevitably age and wear. If these phenomena are not dealt with in time, it may cause damage to key components such as pistons, piston rods, cylinder barrels, and cylinder covers, thereby triggering sealing problems and creating potential hazards for cylinder leakage.

The piston rod is prone to wear and leakage due to the influence of environmental pollutants. During the production and use of hydraulic cylinders, the piston rod is exposed to the outside for a long time and in direct contact with the environment, which is easily affected by various pollutants and impurities, thereby accelerating the wear of components and expanding potential safety hazards.

Load deviation or formula application negligence leads to leakage. Load issues are one of the important reasons for cylinder leakage failures. This often results from the deviation in load calculation or negligence in formula application, causing the guide belt to fail to meet the requirements of the hydraulic cylinder, thereby triggering leakage problems.

Hydraulic cylinder internal leakage

Internal leakage of a hydraulic cylinder refers to the phenomenon where oil inside the cylinder flows from the high-pressure chamber through various gaps to the low-pressure chamber. This type of leakage is often concealed and difficult to observe directly, but it can be determined through the working condition of the system, such as insufficient thrust, reduced speed, unstable operation, or abnormal increase in oil temperature.

For the static sealing area between the piston rod and the piston, this can be improved by adding O-rings to the sealing surface; for the dynamic sealing area between the inner wall of the cylinder liner and the piston, for such leakage, the first step is to conduct a detailed inspection of all mating components. The repair of the cylinder liner often involves enlarging the inner diameter by boring and using a piston with a larger diameter.

In conclusion, the leakage problem of hydraulic cylinders is an important issue in the hydraulic system. By optimizing the sealing design, strengthening inspection and maintenance, improving manufacturing accuracy, and properly using and maintaining, the leakage problem of hydraulic cylinders can be effectively reduced, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of the hydraulic system.