Lifetime extension of axial piston pumps

Research Task/Objectives

Axial piston pumps are universal displacement machines that are used in a vast variety of applications. Their high pressure resistance and ease of operation make them very popular, especially in mobile applications. Some applications require more robust pumps with an extended lifetime, particularly those that operate in remote environments such as the marine type or mining operations. Therefore, this project, in cooperation with Parker Hannifin GmbH, investigates the effects that have an impact on the lifetime of axial piston pumps. The primary goal is to be able to pinpoint and quantify the critical effects in the lubricating gaps, which lead to wear of the parts and induce failures. Ultimately, those findings will help improve the design of future pumps to increase their lifetime.

Approach

The crucial lifetime factors are to be determined in simulations as well as in measure-ments. In cooperation with the Purdue University gap simulations of a 90 cc pump were made using Caspar FSTI. These simulations were used to predict crucial gap heights and temperature distributions in various operating conditions.
With the assistance of the simulation results gap, pressure and temperature sensors were placed in the most important areas of the “Transparent Pump” prototype. The resulting measurements will give a deeper look into the inner workings of the lubricating gap of an axial piston pump. This information can be used to further understand lifetime affecting conditions and designs, which can be used to improve current pump designs for an extended lifetime.

This research was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (Ref. No. 03SX382B). The authors are responsible for the content of this publication.