Text 3. Hydraulic Fluids

Hydraulic fluids make possible the transmission of pressure and energy. They also act as a lubricating medium, thereby reducing the friction between moving parts and carrying away some of the heat.

There are three principal types of hydraulic fluids: vegetable-base fluids, mineral base fluids, and fire-resistant fluids. Vegetable-base fluids are usually mixtures containing castor oil and alcohol and are coloured blue, blue-green, or almost clear. They are still used in some brake systems but are not generally found in hydraulic-power systems.

Mineral-base fluids consist of a high-quality petroleum oil and are usually coloured red. They are used in many systems, especially where the fire hazard is comparatively low. Mineral-base fluids are less corrosive and less damaging to certain parts than other types of fluid.

Fire-resistant fluids used in transport aircraft are usually of the phosphate ester type. These fluids are coloured light green, blue, and purple. Great care must be taken to see that the units installed in the hydraulic system are of the type designed for fire-resistant fluid.

Fire resistant hydraulic fluid will soften or dissolve many types of paints, lacquers, and enamels. For this reason, areas which may be contaminated with this type of fluid must be finished with special coatings. When any of the fluid is spilled, it should immediately be removed and the area washed.

Exercise 25. Translate the following words and word combinations.

Brake system, hydraulic power system, comparatively low, mineral-base fluid, coating, extensively used, to take great care, reduce friction, transmission of pressure and energy, assure, wheel brakes, increased fire resistance, dissolve, advantage, fire hazard.

Exercise 26. Find English equivalents in text 3.

Зменшення тертя, збільшений опір виникнення пожежі, передавання тиску та енергії, перевага, відносно низький, гальмівна система, ризик виникнення пожежі, розчинятися, рідина на мінеральній основі, гідроенергетична система, піклуватися, покриття, запевняти, забезпечувати, рідина на рослинній основі, розчиняти фарбу, лак.

Exercise 27. Give antonyms to the following words. Consult a dictionary, if necessary.

High-quality, increase, advantage, liquid, small, usual, usually, possible, reduce, extensively, resistant, positive, approved, soften, contaminated, coloured.

Exercise 28. Translate the following “noun + noun” clusters:

Vegetable-base fluid, castor oil, brake system, hydraulic power system, transport aircraft, Teflon fluorocarbon resin, high-quality petroleum oil, petroleum base liquid, butyl rubber, wheel brakes, mineral-base, hydrocarbon fluid, fire hazard, phosphate ester type.

Exercise 29. Match adjectives (I) with nouns (II) and translate the word combinations formed.

1. Great, small, hydraulic, certain, resistant, special, corrosive, low, principal.

2. Parts, care, coating, aircraft, power, fluids, pressure, fire, coating, type, system, hazard, corrosion.

Exercise 30. Say whether the statements are right or wrong and correct the wrong ones.

1. There are three principal types of hydraulic fluids.

2. Vegetable-base fluids are usually mixtures containing castor oil and water.

3. Vegetable-base fluids are widely used in hydraulic-power systems.

4. Mineral-base fluids consist of a high-quality petroleum.

5. Mineral-base fluids are extremely corrosive and damaging to certain parts.

6. Fire-resistant fluids are coloured red, orange and yellow.

7. Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids can dissolve many types of paints, lacquers and enamels.

8. Mineral-base fluids are used in many systems where the fire hazard is very high.

9. Seals, gaskets and hoses used with the fire-resistant fluids are made of butyl synthetic plastic.

10. When any of the fluid is spilled, it may remain untouched as it is absolutely harmless.

Exercise 31. Complete the following sentences with the word from text 3.

1. There are three principal types of hydraulic fluids:…

2. Vegetable-base fluids are coloured…

3. Mineral-base fluids consist of …

4. Small aircraft wheel brakes, flaps and landing gear usually use ..

5. Great care must be taken to see that the units installed in the hydraulic system are of the type…

6. … will soften or dissolve many types of paints, lacquers and enamels.

7. Areas which may … must be finished with special coatings.

8. Vegetable-base fluids are not found in…

9. Fire-resistant fluids used in … are usually of the phosphate ester type.

10. When any of the fluid is spilled, it should immediately … .

Exercise 32. Translate into English.

1. Гідравлічні рідини, як і мастила, знижують тертя між частинами, що рухаються.

2. Гідравлічні рідини, які є сумішшю касторової олії та спирту, все ще використовуються в деяких гальмівних системах.

3. Рідини на мінеральній основі використовуються на маленьких літаках, оснащених силовими гідравлічними системами.

4. У гальмівних пристроях коліс, закрилках і шасі використовуються гідравлічні системи.

5. Протипожежні рідини мають світло-зелений, блакитний або багряний колір, вони часто використовуються в транспортній авіації.

6. Поверхні, що можуть бути забруднені протипожежними рідинами, мають бути покритими спеціальним захисним шаром.

7. У разі потрапляння на поверхню гідравлічної протипожежної рідини, її треба негайно змити з поверхні.

Exercise 33. Answer the questions on text 3.

1. What do hydraulic fluids make possible?

2. Where are vegetable-base fluids used?

3. Where are mineral-base fluids used?

4. Why should care be taken while replacing gaskets, seals, and hoses?

5. What areas must be finished with special coatings?

6. What should be done when any of the fluids is spilled?

Exercise 34. Compose dialogues on “Hydraulic fluids”.

Exercise 35. Read, translate and entitle text 4.