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The use of mechanical, electrical, electronic, computer, and control engineering concepts combined in a particular machine or process is occurring at an increasingly rapid pace. The integration of these concepts is referred to as mechatronics. Engineers and technicians now must have knowledge and skills in all of the areas mentioned. Mobile machines have always incorporated knowledge from a variety of areas as needed to incorporate desired features and work functions. However, the time has come to make a more formal recognition of this integration of ideas.

Analysis of a fluid power system with the use of a mathematical model can provide much useful information for good design and safety of a machine. Analysis of a system may cover flow distribution, component operation, or a combination of both. A method is described in this paper, that allows inclusion of all aspects of a fluid system in a single mathematical model. The method may be used to predict circuit flow division simultaneously with component behavior.

The success of agricultural and construction machinery owes a great deal to the effective use of fluid power. Most fluid power systems are configured with a positive displacement fluid pump that is large enough to meet the flow requirements of many work circuits. Different work functions require a variety of fluid flow and pressure values to provide the desired operation. System branches, therefore, must include specialized flow and pressure regulating valves. The development of a mathematical model of a fluid flow control valve follows.

The success of mobile construction machinery owes a great deal to the proper use of hydraulic power. Hydraulic power systems are usually configured with a positive displacement hydraulic pump. Different work functions require a variety of hydraulic flow and pressure values to provide the desired operations. System branches, therefore, must include a variety of specialized flow and pressure regulating valves. The correct configuration of these valves can be accomplished by building and testing variations of a valve until desired conditions are achieved. However, since machinery build programs are expensive; the use of mathematical modeling of a fluid power component is often well worth the time required to establish the model. Use of the model to study the operation of a component will then lead to fewer hours of shop testing. This example discusses the design and mathematical model of a pressure control valve that provides priority to selected circuits on a mobile machine.