Formula 1 Hydraulic Systems

VHS Hydraulic Components Complete Hydraulie Campanent Supply FORMULA 1 HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS During modern day Formula 1 racing commentary, it is common to hear hydraulic issues being raised. F1 first started testing hydraulics in racing cars in 1982 and implemented them into car racing in 1983. Today's technology features complex hydraulic control systems, used for power density and to improve overall efficiency. Below we provide an overview of how hydraulics are used in F1 cars. SYSTEM OUTLINE The control system hinges around two key factors, which are the control valves and the oil pressure. Control comes from the servo-valves taking input from the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and converting them into changes in hydraulic pressure. The output from the valve is translated into motion by pressure acting on a piston inside a cylinder and pressure in the hydraulic fluid comes from a pump driven off the engine. Alongside all of this, there is a maze of pipework and manifolds that direct the pressurised fluid to the servo-valve/actuators dotted around the vehicle. The fluid then needs to return to the pump once it has served its purpose. The functions controlled by a hydraulic system are labelled in the diagram below: DRS SELECTOR BARRELS WASTEGATE VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL BRAKE BY WIRE REVERSE CLUTCH THROTTLE HYDRAULIC PUMP HYDRAULIC FLUID NITROGEN HYDRAULIC PUMP LOW PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR To ensure the force can operate the control functions rapidly, it is vital that there is a high fluid pressure in the system, which comes via a special pump attached to the engine. Needing to deliver some 250 bar of pressure, a small but robust pump developed from the aerospace industry is employed. waluoil FLUID POWER EMOTION VHS Hydraulic Components is a stockist of many hydraulic component brands including Walvoil - a leading global manufacturer of hydraulic valves and complete mechatronic systems. Walvoil manufacture sectional valves that are used for agricultural machines, industrial vehicles, construction and earth moving machines as well as lifting and transport equipment. For more information, please see www.hydraulic-components.net Unit 2 Carley Drive Sheffield S20 8NQ United Kingdom VHS Hydraulic Components Complete Hydraulic Compon ent Supply Tel: 01142 764430 Fax: 01142 472526 email: [email protected] www.hydraulic-components.net