Water-Cooled Hydraulic Cylinders: Design, Applications, and Benefits

Key Design Features

• Cooling Jacket: A double-walled structure surrounding the cylinder tube allows coolant flow without contact with hydraulic oil.
• High-Integrity Sealing: Critical to prevent coolant leakage into the hydraulic system, which could cause fluid emulsification or corrosion.
• Corrosion-Resistant Materials: Often made from stainless steel or coated alloys to withstand prolonged exposure to water.
• Inlet/Outlet Ports: Standardized ports for connecting to an external cooling loop (e.g., chiller or heat exchanger).

Common Applications

1. Metallurgy & Steel Production
   Used in continuous casting machines, rolling mills, and forging presses where ambient temperatures exceed 100°C and duty cycles are near-continuous.
2. Plastic & Die Casting Machinery
   In high-cycle injection molding or die-casting equipment, where rapid cycling generates significant heat in the clamping and ejection systems.
3. Heavy Manufacturing & Press Systems
   Large hydraulic presses for forming, stamping, or compaction benefit from temperature control to ensure consistent performance and seal longevity.
4. Marine & Offshore Equipment
   Onboard ships or offshore platforms where space constraints limit airflow, making passive cooling insufficient.
5. Test Rigs & Simulation Systems
   Fatigue testers or dynamic load simulators that operate for extended periods require thermal stability to maintain accuracy and repeatability.

Advantages Over Standard Cylinders

• Extended Service Life: Reduced thermal stress on seals and rods minimizes wear and leakage.
• Improved System Reliability: Stable oil viscosity ensures consistent response and control.
• Higher Duty Cycles: Enables uninterrupted operation in applications where standard cylinders would overheat.
• Reduced Downtime: Less frequent maintenance due to lower degradation rates of hydraulic components.