Lecture 8

HYDRAULIC PUMPS [CONTINUED]

1.7 Vane Pumps

There are two types of vane pumps:
1. Unbalanced vane pump: Unbalanced vane pumps are of two varieties:

Unbalanced vane pump with fixed delivery.

Unbalanced vane pump with pressure-compensated variable delivery.
2. Balanced vane pump.

1.7.1 Unbalanced Vane Pump with Fixed Delivery

A simplified form of unbalanced vane pump with fixed delivery and its operation are shown
in Figs. 1.12 and 1.13. The main components of the pump are the cam surface and the rotor.
The rotor contains radial slots splined to drive shaft. The rotor rotates inside the cam ring.
Each radial slot contains a vane, which is free to slide in or out of the slots due to centrifugal
force. The vane is designed to mate with surface of the cam ring as the rotor turns. The cam
ring axis is offset to the drive shaft axis. When the rotor rotates, the centrifugal force pushes
the vanes out against the surface of the cam ring. The vanes divide the space between the
rotor and the cam ring into a series of small chambers. During the first half of the rotor
rotation, the volume of these chambers increases, thereby causing a reduction of pressure.
This is the suction process, which causes the fluid to flow through the inlet port. During the
second half of rotor rotation, the cam ring pushes the vanes back into the slots and the trapped
volume is reduced. This positively ejects the trapped fluid through the outlet port. In this
pump, all pump action takes place in the chambers located on one side of the rotor and shaft,
and so the pump is of an unbalanced design. The delivery rate of the pump depends on the
eccentricity of the rotor with respect to the cam ring.

Figure 1.12Simple vane pump

1.7.4 Pressure-Compensated Variable Displacement Vane Pump (an Unbalanced Vane

Pump with Pressure-Compensated Variable Delivery)

Figure 1.14 Operation of a variable displacement vane pump

Schematic diagram of variable displacement vane pump is shown in Fig.1.14.Variable
displacement feature can be brought into vane pumps by varying eccentricity between the
rotor and the cam ring. Here in this pump, the stator ring is held against a spring loaded
piston.The system pressure acts directly through a hydraulic piston on the right side. This
forces the cam ring against a spring-loaded piston on the left side. If the discharge pressure is
large enough, it overcomes the compensated spring force and shifts the cam ring to the left.

This reduces the eccentricity and decreases the flow. If the pressure continues to increase,
there is no eccentricity and pump flow becomes zero.
1.7.5 Balanced Vane Pump with Fixed Delivery
A balanced vane pump is a very versatile design that has found widespread use in both
industrial and mobile applications. The basic design principle is shown in Fig. 1.15. The rotor
and vanes are contained within a double eccentric cam ring and there are two inlet segments
and two outlet segments during each revolution. This double pumping action not only gives a
compact design, but also leads to another important advantage: although pressure forces
acting on the rotor in the outlet area are high, the forces at the two outlet areas are equal and
opposite, completely canceling each other. As a result, there are no net loads on shaft
bearings. Consequently, the life of this type of pump in many applications has been
exceptionally good. Operating times of 24000 h or more in industrial applications are
widespread. In more severe conditions encountered in mobile vehicles, 500010000 h of
trouble-free operation is frequently achieved.

Figure 1.15 Operation of a balanced vane pump

1.7.2 Advantages and disadvantages of Vane Pumps
The advantages of vane pumps are as follows:
1. Vane pumps are self-priming, robust and supply constant delivery at a given
speed.
2. They provide uniform discharge with negligible pulsations.
3. Their vanes are self-compensating for wear and vanes can be replaced easily.
4. These pumps do not require check valves.
5. They are light in weight and compact.
6. They can handle liquids containing vapors and gases.
7. Volumetric and overall efficiencies are high.
8. Discharge is less sensitive to changes in viscosity and pressure variations.
The disadvantages of vane pumps are as follows:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Relief valves are required to protect the pump in case of sudden closure of delivery.
They are not suitable for abrasive liquids.
They require good seals.
They require good filtration systems and foreign particle can severely damage pump.

Advantages and disadvantagesofbalancedvane pumps

The advantages of balanced vane pumps are as follows:
1. The balanced pump eliminates the bearing side loads and therefore high operating pressure
can be used.
2.The service life is high compared to unbalanced type due to less wear and tear.
The disadvantages of balanced vane pumps are as follows:
1. They are fixed displacement pumps.
2. Design is more complicated.
3. Manufacturing cost is high compared to unbalanced type.

1.7.4 Expression for the Theoretical Discharge of Vane Pumps

Let DC be the diameter ofa cam ring in m, DRthe diameter of rotor in m, L the width of rotor
in m, e the eccentricity in m, VD the pump volume displacement in m3/rev and emax the
maximum possible eccentricity in m.
From geometry (Fig.1.13) the maximum possible eccentricity,
D DR
emax C
(1.1)
2
Themaximum value of eccentricity produces the maximum volumetric displacement

(1.2)
VD(max) ( DC2 DR2 ) L
4
Using Equation (1.1), Equation (1.2) can be simplified as

VD(max) ( Dc Dg )( Dc Dg ) L
4
VD(max)

( Dc Dg )(2emax ) L
4
The actual volumetric displacement occurs when emax e . Hence,

<

VD(max)

( DC DR )e L m3/rev

2
When the pump rotates at N rev/min (RPM),the quality of discharge by the vane pump is
given by
QT vD N
Theoretical discharge

QT

( DC DR )e L m3/min

Example 1.6
A vane pump has a rotor diameter of 63.5 mm, a cam ring diameter of 88.9 mm and a vane
width of 50.8 mm. What must be eccentricity for it to have a volumetric displacement of
115cm3?
Solution: Volumetric displacement is

D DR
VD C
Le
2

whereDcis the diameter of the cam ring, DR is the diameter of the rotor, e is the eccentricity
and L is the width of the vane pump. So we have
0.0889 0.0635
115 106
e 0.0508
2
Therefore eccentricity
e 9.456 103 m 9.456 mm

1.8Piston Pumps
Piston pumps are of the following two types:
1. Axial piston pump:These pumps are of two designs:

Bent-axis-type piston pump.

Swash-plate-type piston pump.

2. Radial piston pump.

1.8.1Bent-Axis-Type Piston Pump
Schematic diagram and detailed cut section of bent axis type piston pump is shown in
Fig.1.16. It contains a cylinder block rotating with a drive shaft. However,thecenterline of the
cylinder block is set at an offset angle relative to the centerline of the drive shaft.Thecylinder
block contains a number of pistons arranged along a circle.The piston rods are connected to
the drive shaft flange by a ball and socket joints. The pistons are forced in and out of their
bores as the distance between the drive shaft flange and cylinder block changes. A universal
link connects the cylinder block to the drive shaft to provide alignment and positive drive.
The volumetric displacement of the pump depends on the offset angle . No flow is produced
when the cylinder blockis centerline.can vary from 0to a maximum of about 30.For a
fixed displacement, units are usually provided with 23 or 30 offset angles.

1.8.2 Swash-Plate-Type Piston Pump

Schematic diagram of swash plate type piston pump is shown in Fig. 1.17. In this type, the
cylinder block and drive shaft are located on the same centerline. The pistons are connected
to a shoe plate that bears against an angled swash plate. As the cylinderrotates,the pistons
reciprocatebecausethe piston shoesfollow the angled surface of the swash plate. The outlet

andinlet ports are located in the valve plate so that the pistons pass theinlet as they are being
pulledout and pass the outlet as they are being forced back in. This type of pump can also be
designed to have a variable displacementcapability. The maximumswash plate angle is
limited to 17.5 by construction.

Figure 1.17Operation of a swash-plate-type piston pump

1.8.4 Volumetric Displacement and Theoretical Flow Rate of an Axial Piston Pump
Figure 1.19(a) shows in and out position of the pistons of axial piston pump.Figure1.19(b)
gives schematic diagram of stroke change with respect to offset angle.
Let be an offset angle, S the piston stroke in m, D the piston circle diameter, Y the number of
pistons, A the piston area inm2, N the piston speed in RPM and QT the theoretical flow rate in
m3/min.

(Maximum displacement)

(Partial displacement)

(No displacement)

(No stroke)

(b)
Figure 1.19Stroke changes with offset angle
From a right-angled triangle ABC [Fig. 1.19(b)]
BC S
tan

AB D
S D tan
The displacement volume of one piston = ASm3
Total displacement volume of Ynumber of pistons = YASm3
VD YAS
From Eqs. (1.3) and (1.4), we have
VD YAD tan m3 /rev
Theoretical flow rate is
QT DANY tan m3 /min

(1.3)

(1.4)
(1.5)

Example 1.7
What is the theoretical flow rate from a fixed-displacement axial piston pump with a ninebore cylinder operating at 2000 RPM? Each bore has a diameter of 15 mm and stroke is 20
mm.
Solution: Theoretical flow rate is given by
QT Volume RPM Number of pistons

D2 L N n
4

2000
= 0.0152 0.02
9
4
60
= 10.6 103 m3 /s

 1.06 LPS = 63.6 LPM

1.9Comparison of Hydraulic Pumps

Pump design with a wide range of operating characteristics are available. A designer must
select carefully to achieve a circuit design that meets the functional objective while
minimizing total cost which includes both ownership cost and operating cost over the life of
component. Pump selection is important decision in circuit design. Designer must compare
the various options available and then choose the optimum pump. Table 1.2 gives a typical
comparison of all pumps.
The major factor in adopting a pump to a particular system is the systems overall needs. It
would be wrong to use a pump with high delivery in a system that requires only a
lowdelivery rate. On the contrary, using a pump that must produce at its peak continuously
just to meet the minimum requirements of the system is equally wrong. Making either of
these mistakes produces a poor system due to excessive initial pump costs or maintenance
cost.
One should use a pump that is suited to the system, whether a gear pump which has fewer
moving precision parts or a piston pump whichhas many parts fitted to close tolerance and is
therefore more expensive.

Table 1.2
Pressure
(Bar)

Discharge(LPM) MaximumSpeed
(RPM)

Overall
Efficiency

Gear pump

20175

7570

18007000

7590

Vane pump

20175

2950

20004000

7590

Axial piston pump

70350

21700

6006000

8595

Radial piston
pump

50250

20700

6001800

8092

1.10Pump Performance
The performance of a pump is a function of the precision of its manufacture. An ideal pump
is one having zero clearance between all mating parts. Because this is not possible, working
clearances should be as small as possible while maintaining proper oil films for lubrication
between rubbing parts. The performance of a pump is determined by the following
efficiencies:
1. Volumetric efficiency ( v ):It is the ratio of actual flow rate of the pump to the
theoretical flow rate of the pump. This is expressed as follows:

Actual flow rate of the pump

Theoretical flow rate of the pump
Q
A
QT

Volumetric efficiency (v ) =

Volumetric efficiency ( v ) indicates the amount of leakage that takes place within the
pump.This is due to manufacture tolerances and flexing of the pump casing under designed
pressure operating conditions.
For gear pumps, v = 80%90%.
For vane pumps,

v = 92%.

For piston pumps, v = 90%98%.

2. Mechanical efficiency ( m ): Itis the ratio of the pump output power assuming no leakage
to actual power delivered to the pump:

Mechanical efficiency (m ) =

Pump output power assuming no leakages

Actual power delivered to the pump

Mechanicalefficiency( m ) indicates the amount of energy losses that occur for reasons other
than leakage. This includes friction in bearings and between mating parts. This includes the
energy losses due to fluid turbulence. Mechanical efficiencies are about 90%95%. We also
have the relation
p QT
m
TA N

wherep is the pump discharge pressure in Pa or N/m2, QT is the theoretical flow rate of the
pump in m3/s, TA is the actual torque delivered to the pump in Nm and N is the speed of the
pump in rad/s.
It ( m ) can also be computed in terms of torque as follows:
Theoretical torque required to operate the pump
Actual torque delivered to the pump
T
T
TA
The theoretical torque ( TT ) required to operate the pump is the torque that would be required
if there were no leakage.
The theoretical torque ( TT ) is determined as follows

m =

VDN 3 N
m 2 = N m
2
m
The actual torque ( TA ) is determined as follows
TT (N m)

P N m/s

Nm
rad / s
where = 2N/60. HereNis the speed in RPM.
Actual torque TA (N m)

3. Overall efficiency (o ):It is defined as the ratio of actual power delivered by the pump to

actual power delivered to the pump

Actual power delivered by the pump

Actual power delivered to the pump
Overall efficiency ( o ) considers all energy losses and can be represented mathematically as
follows:
Overall efficiency (o ) vm
Q
pQT
o A
QT TA N
Overall efficiency (o )

Example 1.8
A gear pump has an outside diameter of 82.6 mm, inside diameter of 57.2 mm and a width of
25.4 mm. If the actual pump flow is 1800 RPM and the rated pressure is 0.00183 m3 /s, what
is the volumetric efficiency?
Solution: We have
Outside diameter Do 82.6 mm
Inside diameter Di 57.2 mm
Width d 25.4 mm
Speed of pump N = 1800 RPM
Actual flow rate = 0.00183 m3 /s
Theoretical flow rate

N
QT ( Do 2 Di 2 ) d
4
60

1800
= (0.08262 0.05722 ) 0.0254
4
60
= 2.125 10 3
Volumetric efficiency is
0.00183
v =
100 86.11%
2.125 103

Example 1.9
A pump having a volumetric efficiency of 96% delivers 29 LPM of oil at 1000 RPM. What is
the volumetric displacement of the pump?
Solution:

Volumetric efficiency of the pump v = 96%

Discharge of the pump = 29 LPM
Speed of pump N 1000 rpm
Now
Q
Actual flow rate of the pump
v =
A
Theoritical flow rate of the pump QT
29
0.96
QT
QT 30.208 LPM
Volumetric displacement
Q
30.208 103 60
VD T
N
60 1000
30.208 106 m3 / rev 0.0302 L / rev
Example 1.10
A positive displacement pump has an overall efficiency of 88% and a volumetric efficiency
of 92%. What is the mechanical efficiency?
Solution: Theoverall efficiency is
o m v

88
m o = 100 = 95.7%
v 92
Example 1.11
Determine the overall efficiency of a pump driven by a 10 HP prime mover if the pump
delivers fluid at 40 LPM at a pressure of 10 MPa.
Solution:

Output power pQ
m3 /s
1 min
10 10 N/m 40 L/min

1000 L/s 60 s
6

6670 W
Input power 10 HP

746 W
7460 W
1 HP

Now

Pump output power

Pump input power
6670

0.894 89.4%
7460

Example 1.12

How much hydraulic power would a pump produce when operating at 140 bar and delivering
0.001 m3/s of oil? What power rated electric motor would be selected to drive this pump if its
overall efficiency is 85%?
Solution:
Operating pressure of the pump = 140 bar
Flow rateQ = 0.001m3/s. Now
Power of pump Pressure Flow rate
140 105 0.001
14 kW
Overall efficiency of pump o 85%
Power to be supplied is
Power of pump
14 kW

16.47 kW
o
0.85
Example 1.13
A pump has a displacement volume of 98.4 cm3. It delivers 0.0152 m3/s of oil at 1000 RPM
and 70 bar. If the prime mover input torque is 124.3 Nm. What is the overall efficiency of
pump? What is the theoretical torque required to operate the pump?
Solution:
Volumetric discharge 98.4 cm3
Theoretical discharge is
N
1000
QT VD
98.4
1.64 103 m3 /s
60
60
Volumetric efficiency is
1.52 103
v
100 = 92.68 %
1.64 103
Overall efficiency is
Q pressure 1.52 103 70 105 60
100 = 81.74%
=
o A
124.3 2 1000
T
The mechanical efficiency is

81.74
mechanical overall
88.2
volumetric 92.78
Now
Theoretical torque = Actual torque mechanical = 124.3 0.882 = 109.6 Nm
Note: Mechanical efficiency can also be calculated as
pQT
m
T
70 105 N/m 2 0.00164 m3 / s

1000
124.3 (N m)
2 rad/s
60
0.882 88.2%