Design for Thermofluidic Applications module (GA23005)
Study the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and hydraulic system design. You'll gain the skills to design hydraulic circuits and select components
Design for Thermofluidic Applications gives you a solid grounding in fluid mechanics basics. You'll study how fluids behave under different conditions. These include laminar and turbulent flow, viscosity, shear stresses, and pressure dynamics.
From these foundations, you'll move into hydraulic power systems. You'll learn how pumps, motors, cylinders, and valves work together. You'll also learn to read and produce hydraulic circuit diagrams.
The module has a strong design focus. You'll bring together technical knowledge and practical judgement to select components, calculate power requirements, and build safe and efficient hydraulic systems.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the key principles of fluid mechanics
- understand how hydraulic fluid power systems work
- apply your knowledge to the design phase of hydraulic systems
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- show an understanding of the basic laws of fluid mechanics, including Bernoulli's equation and conservation of mass and momentum
- select suitable pumps, cylinders, motors, and valve apertures for hydraulic machines
- calculate the power needed to perform specific mechanical functions
- read and interpret hydraulic circuit diagrams
- evaluate when hydraulic or pneumatic operation is the right choice for a mechanical system
- apply safety and cost considerations to the design of hydraulic systems
Assignments / assessments
- Coursework 1: Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals (Class Test: 50%)
- Coursework 2: Fluid Power System Design (50%)
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction; Properties of Fluids, terminology, pressure measurement |
| 2 | Conservation of Momentum, continuity equation |
| 3 | Energy Conservation – Bernoulli's Equation as applied to pipes, nozzles, diffusers |
| 4 | Steady Flow Energy Equation and its applications |
| 5 | Introduction to Fluid Power systems, positive displacement hydraulic machines |
| 6 | Analyses of hydraulic pumps and motors |
| 7 | Loss Co-efficients, effects of laminar vs turbulent flow; Reynolds Number |
| 8 | Class Test held within lecture slot |
| 9 | Regenerative Hydraulic Circuits |
| 10 | Hydrostatic Drives – introduction to valve loss co-efficients |
| 11 | Valves, types, applications and analysis methods |
Tutorials are held fortnightly on even numbered weeks. Following the conclusion of the GA23004 (Maths IV) module - additional tutorials are arranged on an 'as required' basis.
Module lead
- Type
- Person
