Although steam is also a fluid, steam power is usually classified separately from fluid power (implying hydraulics or pneumatics). Fluid power is conventionally subdivided into hydraulics (using a liquid such as mineral oil or water) and pneumatics (using a gas such as compressed air or other gases). Use of fluids under pressure to generate, control, and transmit power Illustration of force multiplication by linked hydraulic cylinders, a fundamental feature of fluid power.įluid power is the use of fluids under pressure to generate, control, and transmit power.
