What is Bent Axial Piston Pump – Working, Construction, Material

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 cylinder block is inclined at angle with respect to drive shaft, it will produce to and fro motion required for pumping of oil. The cylinder block angle can be charged to vary the stroke and flow rate of the pumps.

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 pump consists of a cylinder block, pistons, universal link which keys block to drive shaft, shaft bearings and drive shaft.
The cylinder block is mounted at an angle with the drive shaft with inlet and outlet port.
The drive shaft is connected to the electric motor with the help of 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. It is maintained with the help of yoke and actuating control mechanism. The maximum angle is generally kept upto 30degree.
To reduce function between cylinder block and valve plate, an oil film is needed.
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

Bent axial piston pumps are commonly used in various industrial and mobile hydraulic applications due to their efficiency, compact design, and ability to handle high pressures. 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: Bent axial piston pumps are often found in construction machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and loaders. 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: In boats and ships, these pumps can be used 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: Bent axial piston pumps are commonly employed in hydraulic press machines used for various applications, including 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

Bent axial piston pumps are a type of hydraulic pump used in various industrial and mobile applications. Like any technology, they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

High Efficiency: Bent axial piston pumps are known for their high efficiency, which means they 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: These pumps tend to operate more quietly compared to some other types of hydraulic pumps, which is important in applications where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.

The range of pressure is wide and the pressure can be controlled without an impact on the rate of flow.

Piston pumps have a continuous rate of discharge.

Force can be managed without moving flow rate of pump.

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: While they offer advantages in terms of efficiency and performance, bent axial piston pumps can be more expensive upfront compared to some other types of hydraulic pumps. 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?
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.

What is a axial piston pump used for?
Axial piston pumps are used to power the hydraulic systems of jet aircraft etc.

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. Axial piston pumps may be further divided into in-line (swash plate) and bent-axis 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.

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