Hydraulics

What is a Hydraulic System?

A hydraulic system is when fluids are pressurized to power engines.

What are examples of the use of hydraulics in the real world?

www.explainthatstuff.com — crane using hydraulic rams and cables

A crane is one example of hydraulic usage in the world. A hydraulic pump is powered by the engine of the crane, which creates pressure on an oil or fluid. Because oil can’t be compressed, the oil transfers this force into other parts of the crane.

How do spiders use hydraulics?

https://petroleumservicecompany.com/ — how spiders work

Spiders have muscles to flex their limbs inward. On the other hand, they use hydraulics to extend their legs outward. A hydraulic system is when fluids are pressurized to power engines. To extend their legs, spiders create a rise in pressure in their cephalothorax (round midsection where all the legs connect to). This causes the hemolymph (blood) to be sent to the legs which makes the legs extend. This is how spiders use hydraulics.

There are many uses of the hydraulic system in the world, and these are just a few of them that are applied to animals, and engines.

These next two videos show how hydraulics can be used in DIY projects and how they are helpful in daily life.

This first one is a hydraulic lift. It can be used to lift up heavy objects from one level to another. The materials used were Popsicle sticks, skewers, brads, tape, hot glue, and syringes.

This second project is a robotic syringe hand.

The fingers of the hands move because when the syringes are pulled the string attached at the end of it will pull down the fingers. The items used for this project were index cards, syringes, string, cardboard, scissors, hot glue, tape, and paint (optional).