RAM TYPE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER

We were discussing hydraulic actuators and its various types in our previous post. We have also seen the fundamentals of single acting hydraulic cylinders, double acting hydraulic cylinders, differential and non-differential hydraulic cylinders in our previous post.

Today we will see here the fundamentals of ram type of hydraulic cylinders with the help of this post.

Ram type hydraulic cylinders

Ram type of hydraulic cylinder is considered as simplest type of hydraulic actuator. A ram type of hydraulic cylinder will have a piston within its cylindrical housing. Cross sectional area of piston rod will be more than ½ of cross-section area of piston head. There are other design variations in ram type of hydraulic cylinder, where cross sectional area of piston rod and piston head will be similar.

Ram type of hydraulic cylinders is generally used for providing the vertical motion such as lifting the load in vertical direction. Such type of hydraulic cylinder is also used in providing the motion in horizontal direction but need attention and suitable guides in order to guide the motion. 

Usually ram type of hydraulic cylinders are widely used for pushing action. Hydraulic jacks are the best example of ram type of hydraulic actuators. However ram type of hydraulic cylinders could also be used for pulling action such as in case of hollow hydraulic jack. Hollow hydraulic jack is used for pulling the pin from any assembly and we must note it here that hollow hydraulic jack could also be used for pushing action.

Types of ram type of hydraulic actuators

Ram type of hydraulic actuator is basically classified in to three types as mentioned here

1. Single acting ram-type of hydraulic cylinder
2. Double acting ram-type of hydraulic cylinder
3. Telescopic ram type hydraulic cylinder

Following figure displayed here indicates the single acting ram type of hydraulic cylinder, and as it indicates single acting ram type of hydraulic cylinder hence such type actuator will have one port i.e. cap end port and will be operated hydraulically in one direction only.

Following figure displayed here indicates the double acting ram type of hydraulic cylinder, where there will be two ports i.e. cap end port and rod end port. Double acting ram type hydraulic cylinder, as name indicates, will be operated hydraulically in both direction i.e. forward direction and return direction.

Ram types of hydraulic cylinders are basically used in hydraulic jacks, automobile hoist and elevators.

We will see “Telescopic ram type hydraulic cylinder” in our next post. 

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Image Courtesy: Google

Reference: Industrial hydraulic maintenance manual 

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