If you are considering the addition of a stabilizing
system to your yacht, you will want to know the answers to
a number of important questions. The first question would
be, "What are the relative merits of a pneumatic system
(air powered) to an hydraulic system(oil powered)"?
RELIABILITY
A pneumatic system is substantially safer and more reliable
than an hydraulic system. Proof of This assertion may be
inferred from recent actions taken both by the Interstate
Commerce Commission and the Pentagon.
The I.C.C. recently outlawed the use of hydraulic brake systems
because they are not sufficiently reliable for use on large
semi-trailers. They require instead that all brake systems be
pneumatic. This regulation has been promulgated as a result of
years of experience using both of these systems.
The Department of Defense for years has utilized hydraulic landing
gear in all of its planes. Because of occasional failures,
specifications have always called for a pneumatic "back-up system"
for use when the hydraulic system failed. The most recent
specifications for planes, however, prudently have eliminated the
use of the hydraulic system altogether and have called exclusively
for a pneumatic landing system. This, too, reflects the long
experience of the Pentagon in utilizing the hydraulic system.
The bottom line is clear. The hydraulic system is inferior to the
pneumatic system. Now, let's examine the technical reasons which
explain why this is so.
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