Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator
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Hydraulics

Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator

Compute extension force, retraction force, piston velocity, flow rate, hydraulic power, and seal pressure rating. Adjust bore, rod diameter, pressure, and flow for instant results.

Cylinder Geometry
Bore Diameter D 100 mm
Typical range: 25–320 mm
Rod Diameter d 56 mm
Typically d ≈ 0.5–0.7 × D
Stroke Length L 500 mm
Operating Conditions
Working Pressure p 14.0 MPa
Industrial: 7–21 MPa / High: up to 70 MPa
Flow Rate Q 20.0 L/min
Back Pressure pback 0.5 MPa
Mechanical Efficiency η 95 %
Seal Design
Safety Factor S.F. 2.0 ×
Extension Force [kN]
Retraction Force [kN]
Extension Speed [mm/s]
Retraction Speed [mm/s]
Hydraulic Power [kW]
Seal Rating [MPa]
Pressure vs Force Characteristic

Core Equations

Piston area and annular area:

$$A_{bore} = \frac{\pi D^2}{4}, \quad A_{ann} = \frac{\pi (D^2 - d^2)}{4}$$

Forces (with back-pressure and efficiency):

$$F_{ext} = (p \cdot A_{bore} - p_{back} \cdot A_{ann}) \cdot \eta$$ $$F_{ret} = (p \cdot A_{ann} - p_{back} \cdot A_{bore}) \cdot \eta$$

Velocity: $v_{ext} = Q / A_{bore}$, $v_{ret} = Q / A_{ann}$

Hydraulic power: $P = p \times Q$

CAE Note: FEM stress analysis of cylinder barrels uses thin-wall hoop stress σ = pD/(2t) as a starting point. For high-pressure cylinders (>35 MPa), Lamé's thick-wall cylinder equations are required. Rod buckling is checked against Euler's critical load with appropriate end conditions.
Force & Speed vs Bore Diameter Matrix
Design Tip: Larger bore increases force but reduces speed at the same flow rate. Increasing the rod-to-bore ratio raises the speed differential; a differential circuit can achieve rapid advance at reduced force (approximately half of normal extension force).