HYDRAULIC PUMPS

2-1 Comparison of the Pumps

2-2 Piston Pumps
Axial Piston Pumps, Radial Piston Pumps
2-3 Vane Pumps
Fixed Displacement: Single Pumps, Multiple Pumps
Variable Displacement: Single Pumps, Multiple Pumps
2-4 Gear Pumps
2-5 Screw Pumps
2-6 Reciprocal Pumps

Hydraulic pumps convert mechanical energy, such as the rotations of motors or engines, to fluid energy. They are
called positive displacement pumps and are distinguished from the centrifugal types, such as water pumps and fans,
because flow and pressure energies are generated in a closed space.

2-1 Comparison of the Pumps

Typical hydraulic pumps fall into three categories: piston, vane, and axial. Tables 2.1 and 2.2 show characteristics
and structures and specifications of the respective pumps.

Table 2.1 Characteristics of the Pumps

Type Piston Pumps Vane Pumps Gear Pumps

Cam Ring Discharge

Discharge
Gear
Port
Vane

Structure
Shaft
Suction
Valve Swash Plate Port Shaft
Plate
Rotor Suction
Cylinder Block Piston

Expansion and compression of Movement of volumes between

Operation Expansion and compression of a volume
volumes between the vanes and the tooth spaces and the casing (the
Principle in a cylinder block with the piston stroke
cam ring external gear pump is shown.)
・Generally the highest. ・Generally low.
・Generally low.
Efficiency ・The valve plate is easily damaged and ・Can be compensated when the vane
・Drops as the gear wears out.
efficiency drops as the plate wears out. wears out.
Susceptible to foreign substances
Contamination Highly susceptible to foreign substances Susceptible to foreign substances in
in oil, but hardly susceptible when
Resistance in oil. oil, but less so than piston pumps.
the pumps are low pressure types.
Suction Ability Low. Middle. High.
Variable Can be converted by changing the
Easy to convert by changing the angle of
Displacement eccentricity of the cam ring for the Difficult.
the swash plate or bent axis.
Type unbalanced type.
Size and price Generally large, heavy, and expensive. Smallest and relatively inexpensive. Small, light, and inexpensive.

5 ■ HYDRAULIC PUMPS
 Table 2.2 Specifications
Max. Operating Press. Max. Displacement Max. Shaft Speed Overall Efficiency
MPa (psi) cm3/rev (cu.in./rev) r/min ％
Axial Piston Pump 45 (6 527) 1 000 (61.0) 5 600 85∼95
Radial Piston Pump 70 (10 153) 500 (30.5) 2 900 80∼92
Vane Pump 40 (5 802) 350 (21.3) 4 200 75∼90
Gear Pump 35 (5 076) 500 (30.5) 6 000 75∼90
Source: Shinban yuku-atsu binran [Revised hydraulics handbook], 1989, edited by the Japan Hydraulics and
Pneumatics Society, published by Ohmsha ltd.
Some of the maximum working pressure and rotation speed values are cited from the latest catalogue.

2-2 Piston Pumps

These pumps assure high performance in high pressure operation, compared to the other types, and are easy to
convert to the variable displacement type. Thus, they can operate with various control types. The piston pumps
provide advantages including: (1) high efficiency; (2) ease of operation at high pressure; (3) ease of conversion to the
variable displacement type, and; (4) various applicable control types.
The pumps are categorized into axial, radial, and reciprocal piston types. This section explains the axial piston type,
which is most widely applied in industrial machinery, from low-/middle-pressure general industrial machines to high-
pressure press machines and construction machines.

2-2-1 Axial Piston Pumps alternate suction and discharge strokes. Some of the
These pumps have pistons installed in parallel, or axially, swash plate type axial piston pumps have a fixed cylinder
with the pump shaft. The pumps are subcategorized into block and a rotating swash plate, which rotates so that the
the swash plate type and the bent axis type according to the piston moves. This type uses a check valve in each
piston stroke mechanism, as shown in Figs. 2.1 and 2.2. cylinder to switch suction and discharge.
The displacement of the piston pumps can be changed by
Piston Cylinder Block
adjusting the angle of the swash or bent axis. The swash
plate type allows easier adjustment of the angle; thus, it is
d generally used as a variable displacement piston pump.
Figure 2.3 shows the appearances of the swash plate type
θ2 variable displacement pumps (A and A3H series) and a
d2 Shaft
graphic symbol of the variable displacement piston pump.

A Series
Valve Plate
Swash Plate (Stationary)

Fig. 2.1 Swash Plate Type

Piston
Cylinder Block

d1

A3H Series
θ1

Shaft
d

Valve Plate
(Stationary)

Fig. 2.2 Bent Axis Type

For both the types, pump displacement depends on the

stroke of the pistons in the cylinder block. The displace-
ment at the maximum angle of the swash plate or the
bent axis represents the pump size. The pumps operate M
with the cylinder block rotating on the shaft. The cylinder O
block contacts with and rotates on the valve plate (or port Graphic Symbol
plate), which is fixed opposite to the piston, to provide
Fig. 2.3 Swash Plate Type Variable Displacement Pumps

HYDRAULIC PUMPS ■ 6
 2-3 Vane Pumps

These pumps intake and discharge fluid according to the change of space enclosed by the vanes and the cam ring that
rotates by means of the rotor. Vane pumps in a low/middle pressure range from approximately 7 to 25 MPa (1 015
to 3 626 psi) and with middle displacement; for example, the single middle-pressure type has a displacement of
approximately 300 cm3/rev (18.3 cu.in./rev). These pumps provide the following advantages: (1) minimized discharge
pressure pulsation; (2) compactness and light weight for high output; (3) less efficiency degradation due to vane wear,
and; (4) reliability and ease of maintenance.
The pumps are quieter because of the structure and are less susceptible to working fluid contamination than piston
pumps. Therefore, they are conveniently used in a wide range of applications. The pumps typically have a structure
where the vane is pressed against the cam ring by inducing pressurized flow to the bottom of the vane. With the
improved structure, pumps capable of operating at a high pressure of up to 42 MPa (6 092 psi) are also commercially
available.
Vane pumps are categorized into fixed and variable displacement types. Each type is further subcategorized into single
and multiple pumps. With vane pumps, it is easy to construct double and triple pumps by mounting pump elements
(components such as rotors, vanes, and cam rings) in tandem to the pump shaft. Such multiple pumps with
displacements of 300 to 500 cm3/rev (18.3 to 30.5 cu.in./rev) have been commercialized.
Variable displacement type vane pumps, with changing ring eccentricity, are also available. These pumps, with displace-
ments of 30 cm3/rev (1.83 cu.in./rev) or less, are widely used as hydraulic pressure sources for small machine tools.

2-3-1 Single Vane Pumps (2) Middle Pressure Vane Pumps

(1) Low Pressure Vane Pumps These pumps operate at 16 to 21 MPa (2 321 to 3 046
These low pressure vane pumps, operated at 5 to 7 psi). The PV2R series, specially designed to reduce the
MPa (725 to 1 015 psi), are supplied as the PVL1, 50T, noise level, are available in four sizes, ranging from 6 to
150T, 250F, and 500F series. The pumps are available 237 cm3/rev (.366 to 14.46 cu.in./rev). The pumps have
in the displacement of 1.5 to 498 cm3/rev (.092 to 30.4 a plate with a pressure loading, which changes the
cu.in./rev). They have a simple structure: clearances clearance between the rotor and the vane side
between the rotor and the vane side are maintained according to the pressure. Figures 2.9 and 2.10 show a
with a fixed plate. The inner space of the cam ring is PV2R series pump and its typical characteristics.
structured with an oval circle and complete round The simplest vane lift mechanism is the straight type; it
circle. The curved and connected space between the introduces the discharge pressure to the base to
circles is where the vanes make the elevation counterbalance the discharge pressure applied to the
movement. The pumps have two pairs of suction and bottom of the vane. Other mechanisms, such as the
discharge areas and balance the internal radial force intra vane type where small vanes are embedded into
with the discharge pressure; thus, these pumps are the vanes and the pin type where vanes are pushed
called the pressure balanced type (Table 2.1). with pins, as shown in Fig. 2.11, are available.
These two types have better mechanical efficiency than
the straight type because they need less force to lift the
vanes from the base. The pin type pumps operating at
25 to 28 MPa (3 626 to 4 061 psi) have been commercially
supplied.

Graphic Symbol
Fig. 2.8 Low Pressure Vane Pump Fig. 2.9 Middle Pressure Vane Pump

11 ■ HYDRAULIC PUMPS
 ● PV2R2-41 (3) High Pressure Vane Pumps
These pumps operate at 31.5 to 40 MPa (4 569 to 5 802
Pressure-Output Flow and Input Power Characteristics
psi). The PV11R series pumps are available in two
75
1 800 r/m sizes, ranging from 2 to 22 cm3/rev (.122 to 1.34
in Output
70 Flow cu.in./rev). Some of them have the pressure loading
mechanism, while the others are provided with a unique
Output Flow

60 1 500 r/m valve structure that decreases and introduces the

in
pressure to the vane base to reduce the sliding friction
between the vane and the cam ring. Those with
50
1 200 r/m the unique valve structure are used in high-pressure
L/min in
press machines, etc.
40 1 000 r/m
in

30 30

Input Power
r 20
we
Po
put
In
10 kW

0
0 3.5 7.0 10.5 14.0 17.5 21.0

Pressure MPa

● PV2R2-41

Noise Level
65

Fig. 2.12 High Pressure Vane Pump

60
Noise Level

in ● PV11R10-12
55 r/m
2 00
1
22
dB (A) 1 800 r/min
in Output Flow
50 r/m
0 20
00
1
Output Flow

18 1 500 r/min
45
0 3.5 7.0 10.5 14.0 17.5 21.0
Pressure MPa 16

Fig. 2.10 Typical Characteristics of the PV2R2 Pump L/min

14 1 200 r/min

12 1 000 r/min 20
Cam Ring

10 16
Vane
Input Power

12
r
o we
u tP
Inp 8
kW

0
0 10 20 30 40
Small Vane Rotor Pin
Pressure MPa
●Intra Vane Type ●Pin type
Fig. 2.13 Pressure-Output Flow and Input Power
Fig. 2.11 Vane Lift Mechanism Characteristics of the PV11R10 Series Pump

HYDRAULIC PUMPS ■ 12
2-3-2 Multiple Vane Pumps 2-3-3 Variable Displacement Vane Pumps
These pumps are categorized into double and triple types. Vane pumps can be transformed to the unbalanced type
The double pump has two sets of cartridge kits on one by making the center of the round cam ring eccentric to
shaft, and each of the kit works independently. Generally, the rotating shaft; this type provides a pair of suction and
this type contains a combination of low-pressure large- discharge processes. The pumps can also be transformed
volume and high-pressure low-volume pump elements. to the variable displacement type by making the cam ring
The triple pump has three sets of cartridge kits and forms at the maximum eccentricity concentric with the shaft
a circuit to sum up the output pressures for applications (the output flow continuously reduces to zero). The
requiring a larger displacement. Figure 2.14 shows a PV2R variable displacement type is not pressure balanced and
series double pump. Figure 2.15 shows circuit examples has a greater force in the radial direction than the fixed
of low-pressure/large-volume and high-pressure/small- displacement type.
volume combinations for press machines. Figure 2.16 shows the appearance and cross sectional
view of a typical small-sized variable displacement vane
pump. It is a pressure compensator type with a mechanism
that uses a spring to make the cam ring eccentric to the
maximum level at a low pressure. However, when the
pressure reaches a preset level, the hydraulic power
exceeds the spring force to reduce the eccentricity.
The variable displacement vane pumps that offer
displacements of 8 to 22 cm3/rev (.488 to 1.34 cu.in./rev)
and operate at 7 MPa (1 015 psi) or less are widely used
in small machine tools because of inexpensiveness and
low noise level. Those that offer a displacement of
160 cm3/rev (9.76 cu.in./rev) and operate at 16 MPa (2 321
psi) or less are also available.
Similar to the piston pumps, large-volume variable
displacement pumps with load sensing control are
commercially supplied; however, the variable displacement
pumps are generally used in low/middle pressure ranges.

Graphic Symbol

Fig. 2.14 PV2R Series Double Vane Pump

Fig. 2.16 Small-sized Variable Displacement Pump

Fig. 2.15 Application Examples of the Double Pump

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 2-4 Gear Pumps

These pumps operate with two gears engaged with each other and rotating to feed a hydraulic fluid from the suction
area to the discharge area. They all have fixed (constant) displacement capacities. They are categorized into external
and internal gear pumps; the internal type generally has smaller discharge pulsation and lower noise level than the
other. The gear pumps are relatively resistant to working fluid contamination. Pumps operate at 20 to 25 MPa (2 901
to 3 626 psi) and offer a displacement of 100 cm3/rev (6.10 cu.in./rev) for the single type. Similar to vane pumps,
double type gear pumps are easy to construct.
High pressure gear pumps often adopt involute gears, which allow highly accurate processing, bringing about high
system operation efficiency. Contacting with each other at two points, the gears rotate to entrap oil in the engaging
parts, resulting in vibration and noise, which are reduced by a groove on the side plate allowing the oil to escape.
Some low pressure gear pumps use trochoid gears. Figures 2.17 and 2.18 show the external and internal gear
pumps.
The displacement of external gear pumps is determined by a chamber between the neighboring gear teeth and the
inner surface of the casing; the displacement of the internal gear pump is determined by a chamber between the
external and internal gears and a dash board. The crescent-shaped dash board (filler piece) separates the suction and
discharge areas. For both the types, the sides of the gear teeth are sealed with side plates. The high pressure external
gear pumps have a movable side plate by which high pressure flow is led to the rear side to press against the gear
and keep a suitable clearance.
Gear pumps consist of relatively simple parts. They offer high suction performance at a low cost and are used in
various fields: forklifts, industrial platform vehicles, construction machines such as excavators and wheel loaders, and
supporting pumps for primary pumps. Compact packages containing the gear pump, safety and check valves, oil
reservoir, and DC motor are popular in automobiles.

High Pressure Low Pressure High Pressure High Pressure

Area Area Area Movable Bush Area
Driven Gear

Driving Gear Movable Bush

Fig. 2.17 External Gear Pump

Internal Gear Pinion Shaft

Stopper Pin

Filler Piece

Radial Piston High Pressure Chamber

Fig. 2.18 Internal Gear Pump

HYDRAULIC PUMPS ■ 14