Pressure Adaptive Piston Pump Design

Swashplate-type axial piston machines are a favorite in fluid power applications because of their ability to operate at high pressure and their versatile control. The piston/cylinder interface of an axial piston machine contributes significantly to the machine's net energy dissipation due to leakages and viscous friction. Current solutions typically require micron-level machining which increases manufacturing costs.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new design for the piston/cylinder interface with a circumferential groove which reduces leakage, improving the interface's sealing function without requiring advanced manufacturing techniques. From simulation, they have demonstrated that this design is able to achieve net energy dissipation at nominal clearance levels that is equivalent to the baseline unit operating at a 15 percent reduced clearance. These lessened tolerance requirements will reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, costs will be reduced by the simplicity and macro-scale of the grooved design compared with other techniques such as micro-surface shaping. This technology can be implemented into any existing swashplate-type axial piston machine via an inserted bushing.

Advantages:

-Cost efficient

-Increased energy efficiency

-No need for advanced manufacturing techniques

Potential Applications:

-Manufacturing

-Agriculture

-Construction

-Automotive

-Aviation

-Defense

TRL: 3

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Swashplate axial piston machine, piston cylinder interface, circumferential groove, reduced leakage, energy dissipation, fluid power, cost efficient design, increased energy efficiency, reduced manufacturing costs, inserted bushing