Hello all.
I'm fairly new to this forum but noticed this interesting post and thought I would supplement it with some of my thoughts being that some answers have still yet to be shown. I believe the last remaining answer is whether or not equations are capable of being generated to prove such topics and the answer is YES they are, but NO they are not simple. So I will do my best to explain them.
Pressure:
The following mathematical equation has been developed to best represent characteristics of fluid passing through an orifice, which I believe our original post master has stated somewhere else in these forums:
Q = Kv * (deltaP)^0.5
The Kv value represents what people may associate with as "resistivity." However, this simple equation is not easily used in all fluid power instances. Further explanation must be validated to provide meaningful definement to this equation.
The true form of this mysterious Kv value is as follows:
Kv = Cd * A * (2/rho)^0.5
where:
Cd = orifice flow discharge coefficient
A = orifice area
rho = fluid density
The area and density are obvious and easy finds for this equation model, but the definement of the orifice flow is much more difficult. For now, since I can not post charts, I will refrain from discussion about transitional flow.
The Cd value is dependent upon the defined Reynolds number of the fluid. As the Reynolds increases so does the Cd value until reaching turblent flow, whereby, for the most part, it levels out to a constant value. The relationship between the Cd value and the Nr (Rey No) during laminar flow is as follows:
Cd = 0.125 * (Nr)^0.5
This value becomes fairly constant in turblent flow, which stays at about 0.61.
With this in mind, this equation answers your question regarding pressure being a resistivity of flow. It can be correlated that as flow increases so does pressure across the orifice and vice versa. Its understanding the mathematical relationship to better define the actual characteristics and identifing the necessary test conditions.
For your second question of whether or not flow makes it go, the over all answer is YES. Everyone should be able to calculate the expected flow rate leaving a pump based upon volumetric displacement and rotational shaft speed and adjusting the value due to mechanical and volumetric efficiencies within the pump. So the answer there would be that pumps produce flow not prsesure.
Specifically for your "flow makes it go" statement, if you have a cylinder in your circuit, one would want velocity and force. To develop a force from your cylinder you need pressure due to the simple equation of F=P*A, likewise to "make it go" you need flow to create a velocity, whereby Q=V*A. Assuming that your area remains constant and that there are no resistive forces acting against your cylinder, your velocity would be proportional to the flow divided by the acting area. Additionally, your force would be the product of your pressure against the acting area.
I hope this answers your "loaded" questions and that the above equations are suitable for what you were looking for.
Personal Note:
My background stints from having the opportunity to work with Dr. Fitch, the founder of the Fluid Power Research Center and Dr. Hong, his protege, specializing in hyrdaulic system design, service assurance and contamination control.
Regards
Andrew