Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders
Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders may also be referred to as telescoping or multi-stage telescopic hydraulic cylinders. These cylinders consist of a succession of aluminum or steel tubes of progressively smaller diameters set within one another, which allows for significant extension.
Quick links to Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders Information
Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinder Features
The collapsed length of the cylinder is usually 20% to 40% of the completely extended length. Of course, this depends on how many stages are included in the design. Though telescopic hydraulic cylinders may be custom designed for optimum extension and other features, the maximum number of stages is usually restricted to six. The largest, outermost sleeve is the barrel or the main, while the inner sleeves are called the stages, and the smallest is often referred to as the plunger or piston rod.
Generally, the cylinders are anchored in machinery by pivot mounts welded to the barrel's body and the end of the piston rod. They can tolerate hydraulic pressure at a maximum of 2000-3000 psi. No matter the application, it is crucial that telescopic hydraulic cylinders be used in a way that avoids side loads from pushing on the actuator. This pressure can cause excessive wear and sometimes severe damage. At full extension, they are even more susceptible to side forces. Therefore, telescopic hydraulic cylinders should always be considered force-generating devices, never as stabilizing devices.
Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinder Applications
Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders are used in various applications, including construction equipment like dump trucks, large capacity marine cranes, and oil field drilling rigs. In these demanding settings, the cylinders are usually used to raise and lower pieces of equipment, as with the dumping action of the dump truck or to erect the mast of a mobile drilling rig.
Types of Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders
There are many manufacturers of telescopic hydraulic cylinders, and many offer custom design options to suit specific applications. Double-acting cylinders and single-acting cylinders are also an option when it comes to these cylinders. Double-acting cylinders are extended and retracted by using hydraulic pressure in both directions. Some even use both single and double-acting technology, where the piston is double-acting, and the rest of the stages are single-acting. Telescopic cylinders are often used in heavy machinery, but smaller bore designs are also used in lighter applications. There is a range of specific designs, features, and capabilities that can be considered and employed in telescopic hydraulic cylinders.