1. What is a Hydraulic Cylinder Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the required flow rate (in gallons per minute) for a hydraulic cylinder based on its piston area and desired speed.

Purpose: It helps hydraulic system designers and maintenance technicians properly size pumps and select appropriate flow control components.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute, GPM)
• \( A_c \) — Cylinder piston area (square inches)
• \( S_c \) — Cylinder speed (inches per second)
• 60 — Conversion factor (seconds to minutes)
• 231 — Cubic inches per gallon conversion

Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of fluid needed to move the cylinder at the specified speed, converted to standard GPM units.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Proper flow rate calculation ensures optimal cylinder performance, prevents pump oversizing (saving energy), and helps avoid undersizing which could lead to sluggish operation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the cylinder piston area (π × radius² for circular pistons) and desired extension/retraction speed. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find the piston area?
A: For circular pistons, calculate π × (radius)² or π × (diameter)²/4. For non-circular pistons, use the actual cross-sectional area.

Q2: Why is 231 used in the formula?
A: 231 cubic inches equals 1 US gallon, which converts the volume calculation to standard hydraulic units.

Q3: Does this account for cylinder efficiency?
A: No, this is theoretical flow. For real-world applications, consider adding 5-10% to account for system losses.

Q4: Can I use this for double-acting cylinders?
A: Yes, but you'll need to calculate separately for both sides (rod side and piston side) as they have different areas.

Q5: What if my cylinder speed is in feet per minute?
A: First convert to inches per second (1 ft/min = 0.2 in/s) before using the calculator.