The hydraulics is the study referred to the analysis of oils used in special machines. Basically, fluids, depending on their viscosity, make a machine move and work; that's where hydraulics comes in, investigating fluids that can make this action much more reliable and better. The activity focuses on increasing the pressure of the liquid, through the use of a hydraulic circuit, with a cylinder in constant motion. The etymology of the word comes from the Greek “hydraulikós” , which is close to ὕδωϱ (water) and αὐλός (tube).
The development of hydraulics, mainly, dates back to the time of the old world, with examples such as the water wheel and the windmill, emphasizing the mechanisms for controlling water and its distribution, as well as structures that should be above she. Even Leonardo Da Vinci, in his writing on water flows and structures for rivers, detailed his observations regarding the hydraulic installations executed in Milan and Florence. Galileo Galilei, in 1612, produced one of the first reports on hydrostatics. The first structure dedicated to the transport of water was created in Rome, during the government of Emperor Claudius.
With the discovery of energy, the field of hydraulics became more focused on the production of electricity. The first hydroelectric power station was built in Great Britain in 1880. From there, the plants spread throughout Europe and, consequently, to America, making most of the individuals residing on the planet, today, dependent on it. It is classified in general and theoretical. However, it is also possible to identify it as classical or elemental.
Currently, hydraulics is applied in various processes. Air and oil under pressure is used to dig, lift and move different types of heavy machinery, such as tractors and cranes. In the industrial area, it is used to control machines. It is also used in the fields of automotive, aeronautics, naval and medicine.