Bent Axial Piston Pump

Bent axial piston pump

If the axis of the cylinder block is made to form an angle with the axis of the drive shaft to obtain reciprocating movement of pistons for pumping of oil. It is called as bent axis axial piston pump.
When the drive shaft is at an angle with respect to the cylinder block, the oil pump creates a to-and-fro motion. The pumps can vary the stroke and flow rate by charging the cylinder block angle.

Element of Bent axial piston pump

The bent axis piston have number of elements. The major elements of bent axis piston pump are pistons, connecting rods,
universal joint, flanges, input shaft, output shaft, bearings and motor.

Construction and working

BENT AXIS AXIAL PISTON PUMP

Bent axis pump consists of a cylinder block, pistons, universal link which keys block to drive shaft, shaft bearings and drive shaft.
The cylinder block is connected to the drive shaft at an angle, with the inlet and outlet ports facing accordingly.
The electric motor connects to the drive shaft with a coupling.
As the drive shaft rotates it causes rotation of the cylinder block. Thus pistons inside the box also get to and fro motion.
The rotating cylinder block bores are open to inlet and outlet slots of the valve plate which is fixed.
During rotation of cylinder block, the pistons are pulled to suck the oil through inlet and get pushed during next rotation for pumping of oil through discharge port.
The angle of cylinder block may be fixed or variable. With the help of a yoke and actuating control mechanism, it is maintained.  One keeps the maximum angle generally at 30 degrees.
The cylinder block and valve plate require an oil film to reduce friction between them.
Bent axis pump can generate pressure upto 700 bar with flow rate maximum upto 800 liters/min.

Materials

The materials used to design the piston-pumps mainly depend on the application of a pump. The casing and cylinder materials must have sufficient strength as well as they have to hold up adjacent to the operating environment conditions.

Some type of materials used in this pumps are

Cast iron offers high tensile power, robustness, and scratch resistance equivalent to high force ratings.
Plastic materials are cheap as well as offer a wide resistance toward rust as well as chemical attack.
Stainless steel alloys and steel give safety.
Other types of materials used to design the pump mainly include aluminum, brass, bronze, ceramics, and nickel-alloy.

Application

In industrial and mobile hydraulic applications, axial piston pumps with bent designs are frequently used for handling high pressures, providing compact size, and ensuring efficiency. Some common applications of bent axial piston pumps include:

Axial piston pumps are used to power the hydraulic systems of jet aircraft, being gear-driven off of the turbine engine’s main shaft, The system used on the F-14 used a 9-piston pump that produced a standard system operating pressure of 3000 psi and a maximum flow of 84 gallons per minut.

Construction Equipment: Construction machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and loaders often use axial piston pumps with a bent axis. These pumps provide the hydraulic power needed to operate the various hydraulic systems on these machines, including the lifting arms, buckets, and steering mechanisms.

Material Handling Equipment: Forklifts and other material handling equipment rely on bent axial piston pumps to power their hydraulic systems for lifting, tilting, and transporting heavy loads.

Industrial Machinery: Various types of industrial machinery, including presses, machine tools, and injection molding machines, use bent axial piston pumps to provide the hydraulic power required for their operations.

Marine: Boats and ships can use these pumps for steering control, winch and crane operation, and other hydraulic systems on board.

Automotive Industry: Some high-performance and specialty vehicles may use bent axial piston pumps in their hydraulic systems, such as those for power steering or active suspension systems.

Hydraulic Presses: Hydraulic press machines commonly use bent axial piston pumps for metal forming, forging, and stamping processes.

Mobile Hydraulics: Many types of mobile hydraulic equipment, including cherry pickers, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms, use bent axial piston pumps for their hydraulic functions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bent Axial Piston Pump

In various industrial and mobile applications, axial piston pumps bend their axes to function as hydraulic pumps. Like any technology, they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

High Efficiency: Active voice: Axial piston pumps, with bent axes, are efficient and can convert a significant portion of input energy into hydraulic power. This efficiency leads to reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs.

Compact Design: These pumps are typically more compact and lightweight compared to other types of hydraulic pumps, making them suitable for applications where space and weight constraints are critical.

Variable Displacement: Many bent axial piston pumps offer variable displacement capabilities, allowing you to adjust the flow rate according to the specific requirements of the hydraulic system. This feature can help optimize energy usage and improve system performance.

High Pressure Capability: Bent axial piston pumps can handle high-pressure applications effectively, making them suitable for systems that require high force or power output.

Quiet Operation: In applications with low noise levels, these hydraulic pumps produce quieter operation than some other types.

Over a wide range, you can control the pressure without affecting the flow rate.

Piston pumps have a continuous rate of discharge.

An individual can manage the flow rate of a pump without having to force it.

The rate of flows and Pressure changes has a small outcome on the act.

Disadvantages

Complex Design: Bent axial piston pumps have a more complex design compared to some other types of pumps, which can make them more challenging to manufacture and maintain. This complexity can also lead to higher initial costs.

Sensitivity to Contamination: These pumps can be sensitive to contamination in the hydraulic fluid. Even small particles or impurities can damage the pump components and reduce its lifespan. Proper filtration and maintenance are crucial to prevent issues related to contamination.

Limited Viscosity Range: Bent axial piston pumps may not be suitable for applications with extremely high or low viscosity fluids. They perform best within a specific range of fluid viscosities, and using fluids outside this range can affect their efficiency and performance.

Cost: Bent axial piston pumps may be more expensive upfront, but they provide advantages in terms of efficiency and performance. However, their long-term operational benefits may outweigh the initial cost.

Maintenance Requirements: Maintaining bent axial piston pumps can be more labor-intensive and costly compared to simpler hydraulic pump designs. Regular inspections, lubrication, and component replacement are necessary to ensure their reliability and longevity.

Maintenance cost, & operating is higher than other pump usually bulky and heavy.

They handle only lesser flow rates.

Piston pumps are heavy due to their large size and the weight of the crankshaft that drives the pump.

FAQ

What is bent axis axial piston pump?
The drive shaft’s axis forms an angle with that of the cylinder block’s axis to achieve reciprocating movement of pistons for oil pumping. It is called as bent axis axial piston pump.

What is a axial piston pump used for?
Axial piston pumps power jet aircraft and other hydraulic systems.

What is the difference between axial piston pump and radial piston pump?
A radial pump has the pistons arranged radially in a cylinder block while the pistons in the axial units are parallel to each other and to the axis of the cylinder block. In-line (swash plate) and bent-axis axial piston pumps are the two types.

What is volumetric efficiency of pump?
Volumetric efficiency is the actual amount of fluid flowing through a pump, rather than its theoretical maximum.

What is the pressure of Bent axis axial piston pump ?
Bent axis pump can generate pressure upto 700 bar with flow rate maximum upto 800 liters/min.

You may also like

By Aditya

Hi, I’m Aditya Sharma, a professional blogger from Gurgaon, India and I launched this blog called aadityacademy on July 2021. aadityacademy.com is a mechanical Project-oriented platform run by Aditya sharma and I got the motivation to start aadityacademy blog after seeing less technical education information available on google.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *