Suction performance of axial piston pumps
Research Task/Objectives
The suction performance of axial piston pumps has significant influence on their general
performance. High pressure losses in the suction duct cause decreased efficiency, reliability and lifetime as well as increased pressure pulsation and noise emission. Cavitation induced by pressure losses is one of the main reasons for the self-priming speed limit. The project’s objective is to gain a better understanding of the highly transient flow on the pump’s suction side and the deviation of constructive improvements in order to increase the self-priming speed limit.
Approach
The analysis of the suction flow is done by means of computational fluid dynamics. The
stationary flow through the suction duct as well as transient effects induced by interaction with the rotating kit are taken into account. The numeric approach is accompanied by experimental investigations. The modification of the flow path based on
the natural pathway of meandering rivers is a good opportunity to reduce pressure
losses. The integration of a Helmholtz resonator into the suction duct allows a reduction
of the pressure pulsation.
Identification of major losses and deviation of design improvements
The presented research activities are part of the project “Improvement of the pressure reversion of external gear pumps using the numerical flow calculation (CFD) ” (Ref. No. He2715/9-1). The authors would like to thank the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the financial support.
Funded by:
