Using ISO Standards to Address Component Power Losses

This is the second article in a series to keep our members better informed about Standards development and to also report on the progress of this energy efficiency initiative as it relates to ISO Standards. John Berninger, TC 131 chairperson and Parker Hannifin retiree, has led national and international discussion groups to suggest proposals for adding component power loss measurement to current standards.

Click here to read the first article, Using ISO Standards to Drive Energy Efficiency Improvements.

Last month the international technical experts of ISO Technical Committee 131 – Fluid power systems came together in London to discuss the importance of developing standards to address component power loss issues.  During the week, TC 131 chairman John Berninger attended some of the working group meetings to propose adding component power loss measurements to current standards. There were a total of five proposals in all, addressing the following components:

1. Hydraulic filters: a proposal to revise ISO 3968 has been introduced to SC 6/WG 2;
2. Hydraulic valves: a proposal for possible revision to ISO 4411 was reviewed by SC 5/WG 2;
3. Pneumatic valves: a proposal for possible revision to ISO 6358-1 was reviewed by SC 5/WG 3;
4. A proposal for a new hydraulic cylinder standard to measure power loss and energy efficiency was reviewed by SC 3/WG 1; and
5. Hydraulic pumps: a proposal for possible revision to ISO 4409 was reported to be under review in the USA at this time. It already includes methods for energy efficiency, but it needs improvement. The standard is also overdue for reconfirmation – the 2010 ballot was inconclusive and its working group, SC 8/WG13 is inactive. (This will be reactivated over the next few months and participants are sought to join a reorganized working group).

A proposal for pneumatic cylinders is also being studied.

In addition to the subcommittee meetings, TC 131 technical experts came together to discuss energy efficiency in regards to customer issues and competition from the electrical and mechanical industries. The general opinion of the technical experts was that energy issues of fluid power systems were more important than the power loss ratings of any component; so proposals for systems will be developed next.  The group suggested that such a proposal may need a duty cycle, and that this might perhaps be a university project.

Over the course of the next year, proposals will be developed by a USA TAG committee and offered to the several ISO committees for further development. Participation is welcome.

Please watch this space for regular updates on the progress of the energy efficiency standards development initiative. If you would like to become involved in this activity, please contact Denise Rockhill.