CFD Studies on the Radial Feeding in High-Speed Vane Pumps

The filling capability of a positive displacement pump is influenced by the geometry of the suction side. In this study, the effect of the lateral grooves manufactured on the stator of a variable displacement lubricating pump is analysed. The 3D CFD model of the pump developed with the tool PumpLinx® is presented. Different configurations of the stator are analysed. The model has been validated experimentally in terms of steady-state flow-speed characteristics at two different constant displacements. The study has brought to evidence that the increment of the suction flow area by means of additional lateral paths machined on the stator has a detrimental effect on the pump filling. The reason is the increment of the back flow generated by the centrifugal force, which decreases the net flow rate sucked by the variable volume chambers.