The Portable Fluid Power Demonstrator (PFPD)
Figure 1. Students using the Portable Fluid Power Demonstrator (PFPD) during a workshop at Purdue University. Once they understand how the system operates and put it together, they compete to move specific pieces of material.Copyright 2009 Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, Purdue University
Working in teams, students learn the basics of fluid power design using the PFPD as their investigative platform. They investigate the similarities and differences between using pneumatic and hydraulic power in the PFPD. With the main components of the PFPD already assembled, student groups determine the correct way to connect the valves to the actuators using colored, plastic tubing. Once connected, they compete in timed challenges to test their abilities to separate material out of containers using the PFPDs. NOTE: No special pre-requisite knowledge is required for students to be successful in this activity.
Over the years, engineers have applied the many benefits of fluid power to a wide variety of everyday purposes (as discussed in the associated lesson). Many people are familiar with the pneumatics found under office chairs and the hydraulics in heavy machinery at construction sites. In what other ways can fluid power be used to benefit people in our society? Engineers are currently designing and testing the use of fluid power to create powerful and lightweight rescue robots and innovative hydraulic hybrid vehicles.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify devices that utilize fluid power.
- Identify and explain basic components and functions of fluid power devices.
- Differentiate between the characteristics of pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
- Create and test a hydraulic and/or pneumatic device using a provided kit.