# Analysis of Different Guide Elements' Designs in Hydraulic Cylinders
## 6 Conclusions  
A modular hydraulic cylinder with displacement sensor was designed and manufactured. It allows the replacement of heads with three different design types of guide systems: guide rings, labyrinth seals, and hydrostatic bearings. Friction measurements were carried out for all three different designs of piston rod guide systems. Based on the detailed analysis and comparative study of frictional forces in hydraulic cylinders with different designs of guide elements, we can conclude that the choice of guide element plays a crucial role in optimising the performance and efficiency of hydraulic systems. This study provides important insights into the frictional behaviours of guide rings, labyrinth seals, and hydrostatic bearings at different pressures, velocities, and radial loads. Guide rings are effective and reliable but exhibit the highest frictional forces, especially under higher pressures and radial loads, which may lead to increased wear and energy consumption in long-term operations. Labyrinth seals, on the other hand, exhibit significantly lower frictional forces, making them preferable for applications where the focus is on reducing friction and extending the service life of components. The hydrostatic bearings are complex systems which needs fluid under pressure for appropriate operation. In the case of proper operation, significantly low friction forces can be achieved. Their complexity and need for precise control might limit their application to specialized cases. The results of this study not only improve the understanding of friction in hydraulic systems, but also provide practical guidelines for the selection of the most suitable designs of guide elements based on the specific operating conditions. By carefully considering these factors, engineers can achieve better performance, longer life, and higher energy efficiency in hydraulic systems. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term effects of these three different designs of guide elements in real-world applications, as well as the potential for further innovation to reduce friction and improve hydraulic cylinder performance. This comprehensive analysis provides a solid basis for improving the design of hydraulic cylinders, contributes to advances in the field of fluid power engineering, and offers valuable recommendations for industrial applications.  
Figure 21: Maximal friction force values of each guide element used: guide ring, labyrinth seal, and hydrostatic bearing at different pressures and radial loads.  
**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, J.P., U.B. and F.M.; methodology, J.P.; software, J.P. and V.T; validation, J.P., A.T., M.P. and U.B.; formal analysis, J.P.; investigation, J.P. and V.T.; data curation, J.P., U.B. and F.M.; writing--original draft preparation, J.P.; writing--review and editing, V.T., M.P., A.T. and F.M.; visualization, J.P. and U.B.; supervision, F.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
**Funding:** This work was supported by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency as part of the research program no. L2-50083.  
**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.  
**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.  
**Data Availability Statement:** Data available on request from the authors.  
**Acknowledgments:** We would like to thank [PERSON], who took part in the measurement.  
**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.