Hydraulic analogy

The electro - hydraulic analogy, also known as hydraulic analogy, representation, references in the laws between hydraulic and electrical systems. This allows the methods of the electrical circuitry hydraulic systems are described and developed and the usual electric circuit diagrams to be implemented in systems hydraulic counterparts, as well as the reverse direction Description of the hydraulic circuit diagrams in electric circuits is possible. The electro-hydraulic analogy goes back to work by the British physicist Oliver Heaviside under the name of drain -pipe theory, which used these relationships to represent the end of the 19th century novel electrical circuit technology with the help of piping and fluids contained therein vividly.

Analogy relations

In the hydraulic analogy electrical leads are described as pipes, which are flowed through by a liquid medium such as water. The electrical current in the electrical line corresponds to the flow rate of the fluid in the pipeline.

The potential difference or voltage between two points, such as point A and B in the opposite drawing entstprechen the pressure difference between two points. An electrical resistance can be modeled as an extension changes in pipe diameter, in which the liquid can flow only with lower rate. Voltage sources can be obtained by suitable pumps in the hydraulic model, electric switch by hydraulic gate valves, electrical appliances such as an electric motor through a turbine in the pipeline.

Special electrical components such as the capacitor corresponding to an elastic barrier in the pipe, which can bend to a certain pressure difference and not a continuous mass flow permitted through the conduit. The electrical inductance is described by the hydraulic inductance. The function of electronic components such as a diode, it can happen to the electric current in only one direction corresponds, in the hydraulic system of the non-return valve.

Not only individual components, can be realized, even lawful relationships can be prepared as an analogy. So corresponds to the one used in the electrical Ohm's Law, a relationship between the electrical voltage, current and the proportionality factor is thereby produced in the form of electrical resistance, the law of Hagen -Poiseuille.