Educating Engineers for Fluid Power Engineering on Heavy Mobile Equipment

The differences between courses offered agricultural and mechanical engineers are examined. The topics in the courses are reviewed in some detail. The students start with a review of basic fluid mechanics followed by an introduction to bulk modulus. Governing equations for pumps motors and valves are introduced next. Course emphasis then diverges. The agricultural engineers cover the basics of control theory to cover a deficiency in their undergraduate curriculum. The mechanical engineers embark on more rigorous examination of the simulation of fluid power components. Students in both departments may elect to take a 1 cr. laboratory course. The laboratory exercises are discussed.