Title: Academic fluid power research in the USA

Authors: Kim A. Stelson

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, University of Minnesota, 111 Church Street, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

Abstract: With the formation of the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP) in 2006, there has been a resurgence of academic fluid power research in the USA. The centre's vision is to make fluid power the technology of choice for power generation, transmission, storage, and motion control. To address fluid power's key technical barriers, the CCEFP research strategy supports and coordinates pre-competitive research in three thrust areas: efficiency, compactness and effectiveness, where effectiveness means making fluid power safer, easier to use, leak free and quiet. This paper reviews some of the most important results from the first decade of CCEFP research.

Keywords: fluid power; hydraulics; efficiency; compactness; rheology; tribology; seals; Stirling engine; free piston engine; hydraulic pumps; hydraulic motors; valves; digital hydraulics; energy harvester; acoustic silencer; accumulator; displacement control; hydraulic hybrid excavator; orthosis; hydrostatic transmission; wind power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2018.090310

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2018 Vol.1 No.1, pp.126 - 152

Received: 05 Dec 2017
Accepted: 08 Jan 2018
Published online: 09 Mar 2018 *

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