Measurement of Fluid Bulk Modulus Using Impedance of Hydraulic Circuits

Certain properties of fluid change with pressure, temperature and other operating system conditions. In automotive hydraulic systems driven by pumps, air usually enters the system as dissolved matter or very small bubbles. Such air will change certain properties of the fluid like the density, bulk modulus and viscosity. Measuring these properties for evaluating system performance in real operating conditions is one of the big challenges that face engineers.

In this paper, the bulk modulus of certain power steering fluids is measured using standard impedance and flow ripple tests for pumps. The effects of pressure, temperature and speed on the bulk modulus are studied thoroughly.