• Full-Time Programs
• Working Professional Programs
• All Academic Programs
• Outstanding Facilities
• Academic Departments
• Study Abroad
• Research Centers
  • Applied Technology Center
  • The Rapid Prototyping Center (RPC)
  • Fluid Power Institute
  • Center for BioMolecular Modeling
  • Construction Science and Engineering Center
  • Photonics and Applied Optics Center
  • NanoEngineering Laboratory
  • The Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power
  • Research Experience for Undergraduates
• Student Projects
• Other Academic Resources
• The MSOE Guarantee

• Home
• Academics
• Research Centers
• Fluid Power Institute
• Fluid Power Institute Research and Testing

Serving industry since 1962, the FPI is one of the leading academic fluid power laboratories in the nation. Most projects are privately funded and are conducted in strict confidence.

The Fluid Power Institute's Fluid Power Laboratory has the horsepower to test hydraulic components under high-pressure and flow conditions. Plus it has the instrumentation and expertise to safely control and monitor 24/7 fluid power endurance tests. The capabilities of MSOE's Fluid Power Institute are unmatched by any other fluid power research facility:

• Unit #1 150 HP, 65 gpm, 5000 psi
• Unit #2 450 HP, 150 gpm, 6,500 psi
• Unit #3 200 HP, 65 gpm, 6,000 psi
• Unit #4 100 HP, High pressure impulse, fatigue and proof pressure test stand, 17 gpm, 20,000 psi
• Units #5 and 6 Impulse, fatigue and proof pressure test stands 8 gpm, 12,000 psi
• 70,000 psi burst pressure
• 1,000 collapse chamber

The institute has specialized equipment for pump, valve, motor, cylinder and filter testing. In addition, a fully instrumented fluid analysis laboratory is on hand to support research work and conduct separate analysis projects. All tests can be conducted in accordance with appropriate NFPA, ANSI, SAE, ISO and MIL standards. Customized test procedures can also be developed jointly between FPI and the project sponsor.

Typical FPI projects are estimated on a time and material basis. Written proposals include work scope, cost estimates, scheduling, and confidentiality agreements. Most projects are initiated simply with issue of a purchase order.

Typical Projects

• New Product Research and Design Consulting
• Performance & Endurance Testing
• Pressure Fatigue and Burst Pressure Evaluations
• Contamination Testing (Component Cleanliness, Particle Sensitivity, Dust Chamber)
• Troubleshooting and Failure Analysis
• System Design, Construction, and Installation
• Fluid Analysis (Filterability, Ferrography, Particle Count, KF, IR)

Advanced Projects

• Modeling and Simulation of Electrohydraulic Systems
• Component Design & Optimization using Solid Free Form Fabrication
• Finite Element Analysis of Fluid Power Components
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Hydraulic Motor Efficiency
• Noise and Leakage Control
• Water Jet Cutting