Fluid Power

Transmission
ME 40**
Hydraulic Pumps

Md. Mohiuddin
Lecturer
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
What a Pump is?

• A pump converts mechanical energy into

hydraulic energy.
• Hydraulic pumps raise the energy level of the
fluid. Pumping involves transferring fluid from the
low-energy supply in the reservoir to the closed
hydraulic system where high-energy fluid is used
to accomplish work.
• The mechanical energy is delivered to the pump
via a prime mover such as an electric motor.
Due to mechanical action, the pump creates a
partial vacuum at its inlet.
• The pump then pushes the fluid into the
hydraulic system.
 Types of Pump

Pumps

Non Positive Positive Unbalanced

Displacement Pump Displacement Pump
Gear
Fixed Variable Balanced
Centrifugal

Screw
Radial Vane
Axial Propeller
Swash Plate
Vane Swash Plate
Piston
Mixed Flow
Axial Bent Axis
Piston Bent Axis
Non Displacement Pumps

• This type is generally used for low-pressure, high-

volume flow applications.
• Because they are not capable of withstanding high
pressures, they are of little use in the fluid power field.
• They are not self-priming and must be located below
the level of the fluid or primed to start the pumping
action.
• Centrifugal pumps have their greatest application as
supercharging pumps, as liquid transfer pumps, and in
low-pressure hydraulic applications requiring high fluid
flow rates.
Non Displacement Pumps
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 The initial cost is less due to fewer moving  The flow of the pump will be dependent on the
elements system output resistance
 Operation and maintenance cost is less  Volumetric efficiency will be less
 Continuous flow Normally all types of liquids  Not suitable for higher-pressure application
could be transported  They are not self-priming and must be located
 Low production cost below the level of the fluid or primed to start the
 Simplicity of operation pumping action.
 High reliability
 Low noise level
 The ability to pump nearly all fluids without
damage to internal parts.
Positive Displacement Pumps

• A positive displacement pump makes a fluid move by trapping a fixed amount and forcing (displacing)
that trapped volume into the discharge pipe.
• This type is universally used for fluid power systems.
• These pumps are capable of overcoming the pressure resulting from the mechanical loads on the
system as well as the resistance to flow due to friction.

• Advantages are:
 Positive displacement pumps work for high-pressure applications, pressure might be up to 800 bar
 They are a compact unit, having a high power-to-weight ratio
 The positive displacement pump will have a high volumetric efficiency of approximately 98 %
 Small changes in efficiency throughout the design pressure range
 The great flexibility of performance, i.e., can operate over a wide range of pressure requirements
and speed ranges

 As the focus is on Fluid Power Transmission, our study in this course will mainly be on Positive
Displacement Pumps
Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive
Displacement Pumps

Gear Pumps Vane Pumps Piston Pumps

External Gear
Unbalanced Vane Axial Design
Internal Gear

Lobe Pumps

Balanced Vane Radial Design

Screw Pumps
External Gear Pump
• The gear pump consists of two gears: a driver gear Outlet Gear
connected to a drive shaft and a second gear that is
driven by the driver gear.
• Oil chambers are created between the gear teeth, the
pump housing, and the side wear plates.
• The suction side is where the gear teeth come out of the
mesh, causing expansion of volume. This expansion of
volume reduces the pressure below atmospheric
pressure. Since the oil supply tank is vented to the
atmosphere, the lower pressure in the suction side
causes atmospheric pressure to push oil into this space.
• Oil is trapped in the space between the gear teeth and
the casing. The oil is then carried from the lower
pressure and is delivered to the higher pressure side.
• The discharge side is where the gear teeth come in
mesh, reducing the volume between them. As the teeth
mesh, the oil is squeezed out of the chambers.
Inlet
 External Gear Pump

• The two sides are sealed by

the meshing teeth in the
middle.

• The maximum pressure that

can be developed depends
on the clearance and
viscosity of the oil.
 External Gear Pump

𝑄 𝑇 =𝑉 𝐷 × 𝑁

𝑄 𝐴=𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒

𝜂𝑣 =𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦

𝐷𝑜
𝐷𝑖 Half of the volume is filled by gear
teeth
External Gear Pump
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 They are self-priming.  The liquid to be pumped must be clean,
 They give constant delivery for a given speed. otherwise, it will damage the pump.
 They are compact and light in weight.  Variable speed drives are required to change
 Volumetric efficiency is high. the delivery.
 External gear pumps are capable of sustaining  If they run dry, parts can be damaged because
high pressures. the fluid to be pumped is used as a lubricant.

 Application

 They are commonly used for pumping water, light oils,

chemical additives, resins, or solvents.
 They are preferred in applications where accurate dosing
or high-pressure output is required.
 Internal Gear Pump
• The internal gear pump consists of an internal gear and a spur gear Spur Gear
enclosed within a housing. It also includes a crescent-shaped seal that Outlet
acts as a barrier between the suction and discharge ports.
• Power is applied to cause them to rotate within the housing. Inlet
• As the gears rotate, the gear teeth come out of the mesh and create a
cavity on the inlet side of the pump. This expanded volume allows fluid to
flow into the cavities and get trapped by the gear teeth. Fluid is trapped
between the gear teeth on both sides of the crescent-shaped spacer.
• The trapped fluid moves from the inlet side to the discharge side of the
pump while being carried by the rotating gears.
• On the discharge side, the teeth of the gears become interlocked,
reducing the volume of the cavity. This reduction in volume forces the fluid
to be expelled under pressure through the pump’s discharge port.
• Throughout the operation, the fluid is prevented from leaking back to the
suction side by the crescent-shaped seal. The seal acts as a barrier,
ensuring that the fluid is forced to enter the discharge port rather than
returning to the suction side. Internal Gear Crescent Seal
Internal Gear Pump
Internal Gear Pump
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 It can be used for high-viscosity fluids.  Medium Pressure limitation (lower than external
 Self-priming gear pump)
 Uniform discharge for a given speed irrespective  Uneven Load on the shaft bearing
of varying pressure
 It is a bi-directional pump.

 Application
 All varieties of fuel oil and lube oil  Food products such as corn syrup, chocolate,
 Resins and Polymers and peanut butter
 Alcohols and solvents  Paint, inks, and pigments
 Asphalt, Bitumen, and Tar  Soaps and surfactants
 Polyurethane foam (Isocyanate and polyol)  Glycol
Lobe Pump

• The lobe pump consists of two displacers, known as lobes, which

are externally driven and do not have any contact with each other. Casing
They rotate in opposite directions with minimal radial and axial
clearances.
• As the lobes rotate, they create expanding volume on the inlet side
of the pump. This expansion creates a low-pressure area, and the
liquid flows into the cavity and gets trapped between the lobes and
the casing.
• The liquid does not pass between the lobes but instead travels
around the interior of the casing in pockets formed between the
lobes and the casing.
• As the lobes continue to rotate, the meshing of the lobes forces the
trapped liquid through the outlet port. This meshing action reduces
the volume, causing an increase in pressure, and propels the liquid
toward the outlet.
• The external timing gears, located in the gearbox, ensure that the
lobes remain synchronized and prevent any contact between them.
Lobe
Lobe Pump

 The pump may have two or three lobe

Lobe Pump
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Lobe pumps can handle solids, slurries, pastes,  Lobe pumps may not perform as efficiently
and various types of liquids without causing when handling low-viscosity liquids. This is
damage to the product. because the design of lobe pumps, with their
 Lobe pumps operate without metal-to-metal non-contacting lobes and relatively larger
contact between the lobes, resulting in reduced clearances, may result in reduced pumping
wear and tear. efficiency for such liquids.
 Long-term dry run  When handling high-viscosity liquids, lobe
 Lobe pumps provide a steady and non-pulsating pumps typically require a reduction in speed to
discharge (The output may be slightly greater achieve satisfactory performance.
pulsation because of the smaller number of  They may not be as effective in handling high-
meshing elements) pressure
 Lobe pumps require external timing gears to
maintain the synchronization and proper
movement of the lobes.
 Lobe pumps typically require two seals, one for
each shaft
Lobe Pump

 Application

 Polymers.
 Paper coatings.
 Soaps and surfactants.
 Paints and dyes.
 Rubber and adhesives.
 Pharmaceuticals.
 Food applications.
 Gerotor Pump

• The key characteristic of a gerotor pump is that the inner

gear rotor has one fewer tooth than the outer gear rotor. This
difference in tooth count creates a space or void, which
determines the volumetric displacement of the pump.
• When the space is created by the extra tooth in the outer
rotor due to the unmeshing effect at the inlet side, it expands,
drawing in fluid at the inlet. As the rotors continue to rotate,
the pumping chamber reduces in volume due to the meshing
effect, compressing the fluid and causing it to be discharged
at the outlet.
• The inner gear rotor is power-driven, causing the outer gear
rotor to rotate along with it.
• As they rotate, the tips of the inner and outer rotors make
contact, effectively sealing the pumping chambers from each
other.
Internal Gear Pump
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 High Speed  Medium pressure limitations
 Constant and even discharge regardless of  No solids allowed
pressure conditions  Uneven load on the bearing
 Operates well in either direction
 Quiet operation

 Application
 Light fuel oils
 Lube oil
 Cooking oils
 Hydraulic fluid
Screw Pump

• The screw pump utilizes three rotating screws to

move fluids.
• The two symmetrically opposed idler rotors act
as rotating seals, which help to contain the fluid
within the enclosed spaces.
• These idler rotors float on a thin film of oil and
are in contact with the central power rotor.
• When the screws mesh together, they create a
rolling action that moves the fluid without
pulsations.
• Screw pumps operate on the principle of
progressive cavity action. As the screws rotate,
they trap and move a discrete volume of fluid
from the inlet to the outlet. The cavity formed
between the screw threads of the central power
rotor and idler rotors progressively moves along
the length of the screws.
Screw Pump
Screw Pump
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 They don't experience side thrusts, which can be  They are bulky and heavy.
a problem in gear and vane pumps  They are sensitive to viscosity changes of the
 They are quiet because the rolling action of the fluid.
rotors eliminate the noise and vibration  They have low volumetric and mechanical
 Nearly all fluids are compatible with the pump efficiencies.
because only minimum lubrication properties are  Manufacturing cost of precision screw is high.
necessary
 Only one main bearing is required at the pump
housing to support the drive rotor
 Fewer parts
 Highly reliable
 Self Priming
 Suitable for high speed application
 Rotor wear is eliminated
 They can handle liquids containing gases and
vapor.
Screw Pump

 Application

 These pumps have many uses in a variety of applications in industries like oil,

manufacturing, gas, and mining.

 Pumps are often used to move thick liquids like asphalt, as well as other types

of liquids such as oil and mixtures of liquid and steam.

 Some of the examples of these pumps used in systems include Multi-phase

Pumping, Lubrication, Hydraulic Systems, and Weighty Oil Pipeline.

Unbalanced Vane Pump
• The pump consists of a rotor, placed eccentrically, with radial
slots, which is splined to the drive shaft and rotates inside a cam
ring.
• Each slot contains a vane that can slide freely along the slot.
• Centrifugal force keeps the vanes in contact with the inner
surface of the cam ring as the rotor turns.
• During the first half of the rotor's revolution, the volume between
the rotor and cam ring increases. This expansion in volume
causes a reduction in pressure, creating a suction effect. The
suction process allows fluid to flow through the inlet port and fill
the void created by the expanding volume.
• As the rotor continues to rotate through the second half of its
revolution, the surface of the cam ring pushes the vanes back
into their slots. The reduction in volume, caused by the vanes
being pushed back, pushes the trapped fluid through the
discharge port.
• The continuous rotation of the rotor creates a cyclical suction and
discharge process, allowing the vane pump to deliver a constant
flow of fluid.
Unbalanced Vane Pump

 Fixed displacement unbalanced pumps permit pumping action on one side of the rotor only. This
places a side thrust on the rotor and support bearings and requires robust support from the driving
shaft and end bearings.
Balanced Vane Pump

• A balanced vane pump has an elliptical housing instead of a

circular cam ring, creating two separate pumping chambers on
opposite sides of the rotor.
• The rotor, with radial slots and vanes, is splined to the drive shaft
and rotates inside the elliptical housing.
• As the rotor turns, the vanes extend outward due to centrifugal
force and make contact with the inner surface of the elliptical
housing.
• There is an expansion in the volume of the pumping chamber
near the inlets as the vanes come out of slots. This expansion of
volume creates a low-pressure area, thus producing a suction
effect. The suction process allows fluid to flow through the inlet
port and fill the void created by the expanding volume.
• As the rotor continues to rotate, the surface of the cam ring
pushes the vanes back into their slots. The reduction in volume,
caused by the vanes being pushed back, pushes the trapped
fluid through the discharge port.
Balanced Vane Pump

• By having two separate pumping chambers and balancing the pressure ports, a complete hydraulic
balance is achieved in the balanced vane pump.
• The balanced design eliminates side loads on the rotor and support bearings, allowing for higher
operating pressures.
Vane Pump
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Gear pumps have a disadvantage of small  Relief valves are required to protect the pump in
leakage due to gap between gear teeth and the case of sudden closure of delivery.
pump housing. This limitation is overcome in  They require good seals.
vane pumps. The leakage is reduced by using  They require good filtration systems and foreign
spring or hydraulically loaded vanes placed in the particles can severely damage the pump.
slots of the driven rotor.
 Vane pumps are self-priming, robust, and supply
constant delivery at a given speed.  Application
 They provide uniform discharge with negligible
pulsations.  Aviation Service – Fuel Transfer.
 Vanes can be replaced easily.  Auto Industry – Fuels, Lubes, Refrigeration
 They are light in weight and compact. Coolants
 They can handle liquids containing vapors and  Bulk Transfer of LPG and NH3
gases.  LPG Cylinder Filling
 Volumetric and overall efficiencies are high.  Alcohols
 Discharge is less sensitive to changes in  Refrigeration – Freons, Ammonia
viscosity and pressure variations.
Vane Pump

𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐷 𝐷𝑐
𝑅

𝑄 𝑇 =𝑉 𝐷 × 𝑁
Bent Axis Pump
 Bent Axis Pump
• The pump consists of a cylinder block that rotates along with the drive
shaft. The cylinder block's centerline is set at an offset angle (θ)
relative to the centerline of the drive shaft. The cylinder block is
connected to the drive shaft through a universal link. The cylinder
block contains multiple pistons arranged in a circular pattern.
• Each piston is connected to the drive shaft flange through ball-and-
socket joints. As the distance between the drive shaft flange and the
cylinder block changes due to the rotation of the cylinder block, the
pistons are forced in and out of their respective bores.
• The movement of the pistons within their bores creates varying
volumes between the pistons and the cylinder block. These changing
volumes result in the suction and discharge of fluid.
• Consider the movement of a single piston. When the piston moves
over the suction area, the volume of the chamber increases. This
expansion of volume creates a suction effect, drawing fluid into the
chamber.
• After reaching a critical position, the piston begins to slide in the
opposite direction, resulting in an increase in pressure. Consequently,
the piston forces the fluid out through the discharge port.
Bent Axis Pump

• Upon reaching a second critical position, the movement of the

piston causes the volume of the chamber to increase again,
initiating suction once more, and thus the cycle repeats.
• The volumetric displacement of the pump varies with the offset
angle (θ) between the cylinder block and the drive shaft. When
the centerlines are parallel, no flow is produced. As the offset
angle increases, the displacement capacity of the pump also
increases.
• Bent-axis pumps are available in fixed displacement and variable
displacement configurations. Fixed displacement pumps typically
have a preset offset angle of either 23° or 30°. Variable
displacement units incorporate an external control mechanism to
adjust the offset angle.
In-Line Piston Pump (Swash Plate Design)
 In-Line Piston Pump (Swash Plate Design)
• The pump consists of a cylinder block and a drive shaft located on
the same centerline. The pistons are connected to a shoe plate,
which makes contact with an angled swash plate.
• As the cylinder block rotates, the pistons reciprocate due to the
sliding of the shoe plate on the angled surface of the swash plate.
The swash plate is typically inclined at an angle to provide the
necessary reciprocating motion to the pistons.
• The angled swash plate causes the pistons, to move back and forth.
As the cylinder block rotates, the pistons are pulled out from their
respective bores during the suction stroke, drawing in fluid through
the inlet port. During the compression stroke, the pistons are forced
back into their bores, pressurizing the fluid and pushing it toward the
outlet port.
• Swashplate in-line piston pumps can be designed with variable
displacement capability. This is achieved by mounting the swash
plate in a movable yoke.
• The maximum swash plate angle is typically limited to around 17°.
• The volumetric displacement of the pump varies with the angle (θ) of
the swash plate. Displacement increases with an increase in angle.
Axial Piston Pump

𝜃
𝐷
Axial Piston Pump

𝑄 𝑇 =𝑉 𝐷 × 𝑁
𝜃
𝐷
Radial Piston Pump

Inlet

Outlet
 Radial Piston Pump
• The pump consists of several key components, including a pintle
consisting inlet and outlet port, a cylinder barrel with pistons, a rotor
with a reaction ring, and suction and discharge ports.
• The pistons in the cylinder barrel remain in constant contact with the
reaction ring due to centrifugal force and back pressure.
• The reaction ring is located eccentrically with respect to the axis of
the cylindrical block.
• To initiate the pumping action, the cylindrical block is rotated and
due to the eccentric placement of the reaction ring, there creates a
varying distance between the pistons and the pintle.
• As the cylinder barrel rotates, the pistons on one side of the pump
move outward. This movement creates a larger volume within the
cylinders, which draws in fluid through the suction ports of the pintle.
• When a piston exceeds the point of maximum eccentricity, it is
forced inward by the reaction ring. This inward movement reduces
the volume within the cylinder and, consequently, forces the fluid to
exit through the discharge port of the pintle.
• In some models of radial piston pumps, the volumetric displacement
can be adjusted by changing the eccentricity of the reaction ring.
Piston Pump

Piston pumps are highly efficient and are capable of withstanding

significantly higher pressures compared to other pump types.
However, this enhanced performance comes with a higher cost.

Performanc $
e
Efficiency

 Volumetric Efficiency

 Mechanical Efficiency

 Overall Efficiency
Comparison

Speed Overall Flow Cost

Pressure
Pump Type Rating Efficiency Capacity (Dollars Per
Rating (PSI)
(RPM) (%) (GPM) HP)

External
2000-3000 1200-2500 80-90 1-150 4-8
Gear

Internal Gear 500-2000 1200-2500 70-85 1-200 4-8

Vane 1000-2000 1200-1800 80-90 1-80 6-30

Axial Piston 2000-12000 1200-3000 90-98 1-200 6-50

Radial
3000-12000 1200-1800 85-95 1-200 5-35
Piston
Pump Characteristic Curves
Pump Characteristic Curves

• The pump performance curve (net head versus

capacity) of a positive displacement pump is nearly
vertical throughout its recommended operating range
as the capacity is fairly constant regardless of load at a
given rotational speed.
• However, as indicated by the dashed blue curve at very
high values of net head, corresponding to very high
pump outlet pressure, leaks become more severe, even
for high-viscosity fluids.
• In addition, the motor driving the pump cannot
overcome the large torque caused by this high outlet
pressure, and the motor begins to suffer stall or
overload, which may burn out the motor.
• Therefore, pump manufacturers do not recommend the
operation of the pump above a certain maximum net
head.
Pump Selection

 The selection of a pump is a balance between performance and cost

 The following criteria need to be applied while selecting a pump for a hydraulic
power system.

 Select the actuator (hydraulic cylinder or motor) that is appropriate based on the
loads encountered.
 Determine the flow-rate requirements. This involves the calculation of the flow
$
rate necessary to drive the actuator to move the load through a specified %
distance within a given time limit.
 Select the system pressure. This ties in with the actuator size and the magnitude
of the resistive force produced by the external load on the system. Also involved
here is the total amount of power to be delivered by the pump.
Pump Selection (Cont’d)

 Determine the pump speed and select the prime mover. This, together with the
flow-rate calculation, determines the pump size (volumetric displacement).
 Select the pump type based on the application (gear, vane, or piston pump and
fixed or variable displacement).
 Select the reservoir and associated plumbing, including piping, valving, filters and
strainers, and other miscellaneous components such as accumulators.
 Consider factors such as noise levels, horsepower loss, the need for a heat
exchanger due to generated heat, pump wear, and scheduled maintenance
service to provide the desired life of the total system.
 Calculate the overall cost of the system.
Problem

A gear pump has a 75-mm outside diameter, a 50-mm inside diameter, and a 25-mm width. If the
volumetric efficiency is 90% at rated pressure, what is the corresponding actual flow rate? The
pump speed is 1000 rpm.

𝑄 𝑇 =𝑉 𝐷 × 𝑁
Problem

A vane pump is to have a volumetric displacement of 5 in3. It has a rotor diameter of 2 in, a cam
ring diameter of 3 in, and a vane width of 2 in. What must be the eccentricity?
Problem

A vane pump has a rotor diameter of 50 mm, a cam ring diameter of 75 mm, and a vane width of
50 mm. If the eccentricity is 8 mm, determine the volumetric displacement.
Problem

Find the offset angle for an axial piston pump that delivers 0.061 m 3/min at 3000 rpm. The pump
has nine 12.7 mm diameter pistons arranged on a 125 mm diameter piston circle. The
volumetric efficiency is 95%.

𝑄 𝑇 =𝑉 𝐷 × 𝑁
Problem

A pump has a displacement volume of 0.0001 m 3. It delivers 0.0015 m3/s at 1000 rpm and 70
bars. If the prime mover input torque is 120 Nm
a) What is the overall efficiency of the pump?
b) What is the theoretical torque required to operate the pump?

𝑄 𝑇 =𝑉 𝐷 × 𝑁