Growing crops in the calf gives many advantages to the summer resident, saving him from a lot of trouble. Heat-loving plants are protected from the harmful effects of the environment, developing in optimal conditions. Designs and materials for modern greenhouses create the most comfortable humidity and temperature conditions for growth, however, the full provision of a favorable environment is impossible without ventilation. Hydraulic cylinders for greenhouse air vents, which work automatically and independently of a person, help to solve this problem. The presence of such a device makes the operation of a summer cottage convenient and effective in terms of obtaining a decent environmentally friendly crop.
The principle of operation of the hydraulic cylinder
A classic example of a greenhouse hydraulic cylinder is a factory-installed automatic system that provides ventilation inside the structure. The operation of this device is based on the movement of the piston, which is activated as a result of the expansion of the liquid in the cylinder under the action of solar heat. In the process of lowering the temperature, the hydraulic cylinder for greenhouses closes the window, since the liquid assumes the initial state with a smaller volume. Such devices are universal, but you will have to pay for them.
In addition, there are non-standard designs of greenhouses, which require machines with special characteristics. For example, if you need to ensure the rise of a massive window in the greenhouse, you will need a more powerful hydraulic cylinder for greenhouses, which is better to do yourself. Designing such devices, you can make various additions. In particular, the glued foil increases the heating rate of the device, which speeds up the process of opening the window. Conversely, if you turn the sun-sensitive element back (without foil), it will take more time to reach the moment of activation of the system.
What to make a hydraulic cylinder from?
For this purpose, usually use a pneumatic shock absorber from the car, which is installed on the hood or rear door. There are no special requirements for the technical condition of the mechanism - the main thing is that there is pressure in it. This can be verified by the working stem. Even the hydraulic cylinder for the greenhouse from the shock absorber from the old car is able to work for several years, which is a good result, given the intensity of operation.
At the end of the cylinder, the ball must be cut so that as much as possible the length of the holder remains. Then the cylinder is clamped with a vise, but you need to do this through the ends so that the working element itself is not damaged. In a securely fixed cylinder, a 3-mm hole is made with a drill. At the time of opening of the hole in the stump, air will begin to escape under the action of pressure. A small “zilch” is possible and the risk of chips getting into the eyes is not excluded - in this case, you must initially prepare glasses or a mask. After threading in hemp, the hydraulic cylinder for greenhouses will be ready. Next, a thread is formed on the stump. As you can see, all operations are carried out exclusively with the outer surfaces of the shock absorber, so there is no need to penetrate into its internal structure.
Tank for hydraulic cylinder
The hydraulic cylinder must also include a fluid reservoir. This part is also recommended to be made from automobile spare parts. In this case, from a gimbal, in which the so-called ears are cut off. Cutting should be done strictly according to the calculated length for a particular greenhouse, and then brew the end. Two holes are made at the other end. The first will serve as a connection, and the second to provide a convenient air vent. The most difficult stage at which a hydraulic cylinder for a greenhouse is made from a shock absorber with its own hands is threading. Moreover, it is not the severity of the procedure that is important, but the responsibility - any violation in symmetry can make the part unsuitable for further use. The parameters for the calculation are as follows: the length is 80 cm and the diameter is 7 cm. The total volume reaches 3 liters. If a larger tank is used, it is advisable to fill the excess space with metal elements.
Connecting hose and spring
As a connecting element of the system, you can use a car brake hose. Again, there are no special requirements for it - it is important that the thread comes together. Depending on the characteristics of the hose, the corresponding threads on the tank and cylinder are cut. The optimal parameters are a height of 1 cm in increments of about 1.25 cm. Home-made hydraulic cylinders for ventilating greenhouses from shock absorbers are able to withstand a load of 100 kg. This is enough not only for maintenance of the window, but also for the entire structure of the greenhouse. The only problem is that independent return of the rod to its original position is impossible - the system draws air through the seals. Therefore, a spring is needed, especially if the transom is underweight.
The spring must cope with a weight of at least 5 kg so that back pressure is applied to the stem. Since the balance of the transom is adjustable in weight, a standard door spring can be used. With its help, it is possible to service several sections with parameters of 1x2 m. To simplify the design, the vents are combined into a single system, the operation of which will be provided by a hydraulic cylinder for a greenhouse with sufficient traction. It is desirable to design the flaps themselves so that ventilation is carried out from the upper part, since hot air is collected from this side.
Which liquid to use?
Any liquid is suitable for the hydraulic cylinder, but oil is the best option. Many people mistakenly believe that ether or alcohol increases the efficiency of the mechanism, but in reality this is not so. Conventional automotive oil, including engine oil, is sufficient. The simplest hydraulic cylinder for a greenhouse with your own hands can be filled with a flushing composition. If you don’t have the appropriate fluid at hand and you have to go to the store, then oil products like M8 are suitable for both price and performance.
Hydraulic cylinder assembly
When all the elements are ready individually, you can start assembling. First of all, with the help of a medical syringe, liquid is poured into the shock absorber. You can use a funnel, adding oil to the brim. After this, you need to let the air bubbles come out - this will happen within a few hours. Next, the hydraulic cylinder for the greenhouse is connected to the hose by twisting. The stem is pressed in so that the oil escapes through the hose and releases air. From the point of view of structural expediency, air should not remain in the device, however, it is better not to leave the system completely without bubbles, otherwise there will be a risk of cylinder rupture. The air will act as a damper and compress as the stem extends.
Hydraulic cylinder installation
There is nothing complicated in the installation, but the process itself is individual. Much will depend on the number and parameters of the windows, as well as on the structure of the structure itself. If the hydraulic cylinder for the greenhouse with its own hands was made strictly to the size of specific windows for ventilation, then there will be no problems. The main thing is to find the reference point and from it open the frames for the hydraulic cylinder. The tank itself must necessarily have direct access to the sun, otherwise the mechanism will not work.
Cylinder adjustment
For optimal adjustment, the device must be taken to the place of operation, wait for the tank to heat under the sun and release excess oil. In this way, the hydraulic cylinder for greenhouses is adjusted for use in a structure with leaflets of a certain mass. It will not work in advance to calculate the load, so the adjustment is already made in practice upon use. If the pressure is not enough, then the air is discharged and the liquid is added again, and if it is enough above the norm, then, on the contrary, the oil is drained.