Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Gaseous Cavitation in Lubricating Vane Pumps: On Metering Grooves for Pressure Ripple Optimization

Abstract

This paper addresses the topic of balanced vane pump simulations for pressure ripple optimization by means of metering grooves at the leading edge of delivery ports. It presents a computational fluid dynamics case study based on a transient three-dimensional model developed using an up-to-date commercial software tool. Special attention is dedicated to gaseous cavitation and the impact of the related modeling choices on predictions. The effect of groove dimensions and interaction with the precompression features of the cam ring of the pump are addressed. Experimental data obtained using a dedicated test rig are presented for comparison with numerical results in terms of delivery pressure ripple and volumetric flowrate. A validation strategy based on tuning of the dynamic cavitation model adopted for simulations is proposed. The results demonstrate the critical importance of gas release modeling for the simulation of porting details in the case of significant aeration effects.

Microstructural Investigation and Impact Strength of Sinter-Hardened PM Steels: Influence of Ni Content and Tempering Temperature

“…On the industrial scale, PM steels can compete with conventional steels and are broadly employed in gear manufacturing, where wear, fatigue and dynamic resistance are crucial [5]. Ongoing efforts are mainly devoted to the reliability of engineering systems [6][7][8] and improvements in materials' properties [9][10][11]. For instance, in the case of machinery operating with contaminated fluids, erosion and deposition phenomena [12][13][14] induce long-term alterations in the material's structure, resulting in performance deterioration, heightened noise and vibration, and ultimately, premature and unforeseen component failure [15][16][17].…”