Hydraulic Force: Input & Output of Multiple Pistons

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Hydraulic systems demonstrate mechanical advantage by using a small piston to exert force on a larger piston, resulting in a greater output force over a shorter distance. In the discussed example, applying 100 lbs of force to a 3" diameter piston yields an output of 33 lbs on a 1" diameter piston, with the travel distances being inversely proportional. When multiple output pistons are involved, the input force and travel distance remain consistent, but the output force is divided among the pistons based on their sizes. Calculating the area of each piston is crucial for accurate force and pressure assessments, as the pressure varies with diameter. Understanding these principles is essential for optimizing hydraulic systems effectively.
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Most examples of hydraulic mechanical advantage display a little force on a small piston traveling a long distance to move a bigger piston a short distance with a lot of force.

With the inverse, if we have an input of:
100 lbs of force on a 3" diameter piston traveling 1"
the output would be
33 lbs of force on a 1" diameter piston traveling 3"
and this is true for single pistons.

What happens if the output is forked into 2 or more pistons as my illustration shows?
To have the same travel & force on the small diameter output pistons, would the travel & force on the input piston need to change at all? Or will it stay the same (as with a single output cylinder)?
Thanks in advance.
 

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wolfy3 said:
With the inverse, if we have an input of:
100 lbs of force on a 3" diameter piston traveling 1"
the output would be
33 lbs of force on a 1" diameter piston traveling 3"

I might be a bit rusty but are you sure about this example?

100lbs on a 3" diameter piston is 14psi
33lbs on a 1" diameter piston is 38psi
 
You can't use just the diameter of the pistons. You have to calculate the area of each piston.

Piston A = 3 square inches
Piston B = 1 square inch

Applying force to Piston A to move it 1 inch will move Piston B 3 inches, with 1/3rd the output force.
Applying force to Piston B to move it 3 inches will move Piston A 1 inch, with 3 times the output force.
 

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