What does increasing the pipe diameter do to the hydraulic fluid velocity?

When the diameter of a pipe is increased in a hydraulic system, the cross-sectional area available for the fluid to flow through also increases. According to the principle of continuity in fluid dynamics, when fluid flows through a pipe with varying diameters, the product of the cross-sectional area and the fluid velocity must remain constant along the pipe, assuming incompressibility and steady flow.

Therefore, if you enlarge the pipe diameter, the velocity of the hydraulic fluid must decrease to maintain that constant flow rate. This is akin to how a river slows down as it widens; the same volume of water must spread out over a larger area, resulting in reduced speed.

This understanding is crucial in hydraulic design and systems management, as it impacts flow rates, pressure drops, and overall efficiency in the transport of hydraulic fluid throughout the system.