Conventional vs Synchronous Pumps: What’s the Difference?
Conventional and Synchronous Pumps are commonly found on any jobsite that requires jacking a load. Some common conventional pumps include the Hydraulic Hand Pump, Gasoline Hydraulic Pump, and Electric Hydraulic Pump.
Unlike these conventional options, a Synchronous Lifting System ensures synchronous lifting and jacking by providing equal flow to each of its circuits. Safety and efficiency are always the primary concern on a job site, but equipment budget and availability are a huge factor in what tools make it to the table. While Synchronous Pumps feature increased safety and efficiency over conventional non-unified pumps, they may not always be available. It is important to understand the hydraulics being used to operate your Jacks or skidding system to ensure a safe and successful move.
Conventional Pumps
What is a conventional pump? A conventional pump has a single oil supply circuit. It may be split into more than one outlet port. but they are connected and thus act as one. The pressure will remain constant in all lines but the flow rates may be different.
Considerations when using a Conventional Pump:
If the load is heavier on one side, the cylinder with the least load will advance faster than the cylinder on the heavier side. What this means during a move is that when jacking, it is necessary to jack only one end at a time (end-to-end jacking) to ensure that the load can never tip. When skidding, it is necessary to ensure that both cylinders advance at nearly the same rate. Hydra-Slide’s conventional power units are equipped with flow control valves to help control the flow rates to each push cylinder.
Synchronous Pumps
Synchronous power units contain multiple independent oil circuits. The circuits are not connected to each other and will give equal flow to each line, regardless of the weight of the load or the pressure in that circuit. We accomplish this by using specially designed piston pumps, valves and control devices. This allows the user to raise almost any load straight up, safely and equally at all points. This eliminates the fear that one side will raise faster than the other. We have also employed counterbalance valves on the return side to ensure that the load can be lowered evenly and synchronized. The load will be always be lowered slowly and under control, even in the case of a crushed block pile or hose rupture.
Considerations when using a Synchronous Pump:
The Enerpac Synchronous Pump System allows for true computerized synchronous lifting and jacking. You have control of up to 24 lifting points, data storage, recording, and use with standard single or double-acting cylinders. When jacking a load with an offset center of gravity, pressure readings on each circuit may be different but each will provide the same flow rate, allowing simultaneous jacking of multiple points without end-to-end jacking, greatly increasing the speed and safety of the operation.
About LGH
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