Abstract
We herein propose a systematic design method of hydraulic pipes used in heavy construction equipment. We found that even though many design studies have been conducted regarding major hydraulic components such as pumps, cylinders, and control valves, studies regarding the optimal design of hydraulic pipes are scarce. In this study, the design of four types of pipes is considered: two high-pressure and two low-pressure pipes. First, fluid flow analysis was conducted based on oil flow and pressure for various radii of curvature. For a check-valve pipe, we considered the location of an inlet pipe. We could visualize fluid flow inside the pipe according to the flow velocity and pressure distribution. Based on fluid flow analysis, we conducted a structural analysis that revealed the stress distribution and concentration for each pipe design. We selected the best design parameters for each pipe design, fabricated the pipes, and subsequently tested them for validity.
