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Blog posts tagged with 'ifps'

All Around Us - Automotive Jacks
Squeezy McPressure Auto Mechanic

Squeezy McPressure here! I have a question for you. Have you ever changed a flat tire on your car or truck using one of these styles of jacks? One is a bottle jack, and the other is a rolling floor jack. Do you know how they generate enough force to lift a vehicle?
Bottle jackRolling floor jack

You guessed it — fluid power! Hydraulics, to be specific.

Hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston area in the bottle-jack style or to the cylinders that move the mechanical linkages in the floor-jack style. The manual lever pumps hydraulic fluid into the cylinder chamber.

And the principle that makes it all work? Pascal's Law.

            Force = Pressure • Area

Hydraulic jack demonstrating force pressure and area

Pressure is applied to the area of the piston. As fluid is pumped into the cylinder, the generated force exceeds the load from the car or truck, and as a result, the vehicle is raised.

The effort required at the handle is significantly reduced because of the difference in area between the small pumping piston and the larger output piston.

A small input force can produce a much larger output lifting force.

So, the next time you're changing a flat tire, take a closer look at that jack. You're putting fluid power to work!

Until next time! - Squeezy

Webinar Recap: Understanding Variable Pump Pressure Compensation (…and Why My Coffee Maker Isn’t One)
If you’ve ever wondered how hydraulic systems manage to stay cool, efficient, and quietly brilliant under pressure (unlike some of us on a Monday morning), this webinar delivers the answers with clarity—and a few “aha” moments along the way. Mark Redmond walks through the essentials of hydraulic pump operation, from the foundational idea that pumps create flow—not pressure—to the nuanced role of variable displacement systems in modern applications. Along the journey, we explore everything from swash plates (which sound more fun than they are, but are far more useful) to pressure compensators that act like the ultimate control freak—in a good way. With practical examples, real-world comparisons, and a healthy appreciation for efficiency (and avoiding unnecessary heat—both mechanical and emotional), this session breaks down complex concepts into something surprisingly digestible. Whether you’re a seasoned fluid power professional or just hydraulically curious, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how smarter systems save energy, reduce wear, and make everything run just a little smoother. Bonus: you may never look at a pump—or your coffee routine—the same way again.
5 Things You Didn’t Know Use Hydraulics (Yes, Even That One)
Hydraulics are everywhere—even in places you might not expect. This post highlights five everyday systems that rely on fluid power, from vehicle braking systems to garbage trucks and aircraft landing gear. Whether you’re new to fluid power or already familiar with the basics, these real-world examples showcase how hydraulics quietly deliver powerful, efficient, and reliable performance in daily life.