Ramsay Hydraulics & Pneumatics Flashcards

A solenoid-operated directional control valve fails to shift when energized. The FIRST thing to check is:

Answer: Whether voltage is reaching the solenoid coil

Verifying electrical supply to the solenoid coil is the first diagnostic step — no voltage means no magnetic force to shift the valve spool.

Cavitation in a hydraulic pump is characterized by:

Answer: Noisy operation and loss of pump efficiency

Cavitation forms vapor bubbles that collapse violently inside the pump, causing noise, vibration, erosion, and reduced output.

In a pneumatic FRL unit, what does the 'R' stand for?

Answer: Regulator

FRL stands for Filter-Regulator-Lubricator; the Regulator sets downstream air pressure to the desired working level.

Pascal's Law states that pressure applied to a confined fluid is:

Answer: Transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid

Pascal's Law is the foundation of hydraulics: pressure applied at any point in a confined fluid transmits undiminished in all directions.

Which hydraulic pump type is most commonly used in industrial machinery due to its consistent flow and high efficiency?

Answer: Piston pump

Piston pumps (axial or radial) deliver high efficiency, variable displacement capability, and consistent flow at high pressures, making them ideal for industrial use.

A pneumatic system's air compressor runs continuously but system pressure never reaches the set point. The most likely cause is:

Answer: A significant leak in the pneumatic circuit

If the compressor cannot build pressure to set point, the system is leaking air faster than the compressor can supply it.

The purpose of a hydraulic system's return line filter is to:

Answer: Remove contaminants from fluid before it returns to the reservoir

The return line filter catches wear particles and contamination generated during system operation before they re-enter the reservoir and recirculate.