1. What is Hydraulic Cylinder Capacity?

Hydraulic cylinder capacity refers to the volume of fluid required to fully extend the cylinder. It's calculated based on the cylinder's bore (diameter) and stroke length, representing the displacement volume of the cylinder.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the hydraulic cylinder capacity formula:

Where:

• \( Bore \) — Diameter of the cylinder (inches)
• \( Stroke \) — Length of piston travel (inches)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.14159)

Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of a cylinder (πr²h) where radius is half the bore and height is the stroke length.

3. Importance of Capacity Calculation

Details: Knowing the cylinder capacity is essential for proper hydraulic system design, pump selection, and determining fluid requirements for full cylinder extension.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bore diameter and stroke length in inches. Both values must be positive numbers. The result is in cubic inches.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I convert cubic inches to gallons?
A: Divide the cubic inch result by 231 to get US gallons (since 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches).

Q2: Does this account for the rod volume in double-acting cylinders?
A: No, this calculates total cylinder volume. For net fluid displacement in double-acting cylinders, you'd need to subtract the rod volume.

Q3: What's the difference between bore and stroke?
A: Bore is the cylinder's internal diameter, while stroke is the distance the piston travels from fully retracted to fully extended.

Q4: Can I use metric measurements?
A: This calculator uses inches. For metric, use cm or mm for measurements and adjust the formula accordingly.

Q5: How does capacity relate to force output?
A: While capacity measures volume, force output depends on pressure (Force = Pressure × Piston Area). They're related but different measurements.