Advances in simulation of gerotor pumps: An integrated approach

The paper describes a multi-domain simulation of a gerotor oil pump. Three different analysis tools have been used in synergy to predict the pump flow rate, in both conditions of complete and incomplete filling, and the pressure ripple. The computational fluid dynamics software PumpLinx® has been used for the determination of the discharge coefficients, while a finite element model analysis performed with ANSYS® has allowed the evaluation of the deflection of the pump cover under the action of the delivery pressure. The data calculated with the 3D tools have been utilized as input for a lumped parameter model of the pump developed in LMS Amesim® with customized libraries. The aim of the study is to supply the guidelines for tuning the models using a reduced number of computational fluid dynamics simulations. The results collected in the experimental campaign have demonstrated that a lumped parameter approach can be suitable, if properly calibrated, to predict the pressure oscillations in conditions of defective filling. Moreover, it was found that the cover deflection has a significant importance not only on the leakages, but also on the pressure ripple.