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Research activities
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Hybrid mobile hydraulics for excavators
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0D models of axial piston pumps/motors
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CFD studies on conical poppet valves
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CFD analysis of gerotor pumps
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Lumped parameter models of crescent pumps
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Lumped parameter models of vane pumps
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Lumped parameter models of gerotor pumps
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Coupled simulation of telehandler hydraulics
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Modelling of brake booster vacuum pumps
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Absorbed energy in ICE lubricating pumps
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Multi-body simulation of axial piston pumps
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Development of variable flow lubricating pumps
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Optimization of ICE lubrication gerotor pumps
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Publications
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Research projects
CFD analysis of gerotor pumps (2014-2016)
Using Simerics PumpLinx (now Simerics MP+), 3D dynamic models of gerotor pumps have been developed. All models have been validated experimentally on our test rig.
In particular, an in depth analysis of the behaviour in conditions of incomplete chambers filling has been carried out. In figure 1 the complete model of a pump developed in PumpLinx is reported. To verify the ability of the software to take into account a variation of the pipe geometry, two restrictors R1 and R2 have been inserted. The three configurations analysed are: 1 without the restrictors, 2 with the restrictor R1 only and 3 with both.
Figure 1
In figure 2 the model validation as function of the speed is shown. Tests were performed on the lubricating pumps test rig. We can observe two typical regions: low speed, linear behaviour that means complete filling; high speed, the flow rate tends to saturate, that means incomplete filling.
Figure 2
The pump was also tested in closed circuit, with the possibility to increase and decrease the inlet pressure. In figure 3 the flow rate is shown at three different speeds as function of the suction pressure measured inside the inlet volume. It is interesting to notice that at 2500 rpm it is possible to reduce the pressure as low as about 0.25 bar absolute without any reduction of the flow rate.
Figure 3
The influence on the pump filling of some geometric parameters has been analysed. For instance, by changing the eccentricity “e” of the reference gears, it is possible to modify their axial height “H” at equal pump displacement. The new profiles are shown in figure 4.
Figure 4
In conditions of defective filling (high speed), the volumetric efficiency is significantly increased by the reduction of the axial thickness (figure 5).
Figure 5
More analyses and details are available in:
ALTARE G, RUNDO M, 2017: Advances in simulation of gerotor pumps: An integrated approach