The Fluid Power Elements and Systems Made of Plastics

The Fluid Power Research Group from Wroclaw University of Technology have been concentrating their research and development activity on the application of plastics for the construction of hydraulic components. Their work focuses primarily on the gerotor pump, the pressure relief valve, the manifold and the hydraulic cylinder. The paper presents the theoretical basis of designing those elements, examples of the design solutions, as well as the experimental research results. A prototype of the hydraulic system featuring the plastic elements has been assembled and tested, and it proves to work properly.