Numerical analysis of a hydraulic gear micro motor

Abstract

This study investigates the critical parameters that have the most impact on the structural capacity of hydraulic gear micro motors, namely, motor configuration, output torque, and speed. Seven different motor configurations were evaluated in terms of output speed and torque, which depend on the number and size of gears. During motor operation, reactive loads generated by drag forces, viscous damping forces, and oil pocketing within two adjacent teeth in contact were numerically calculated. Stress analysis using the finite element method was also performed to evaluate the structure of the aforementioned gear motor configurations. The results demonstrated that the structural capacity of a hydraulic motor does not necessarily increase when using larger gears or by increasing the number of gears. Reactive loads increase as rotational speed and gear size increase. Higher lubricant pressure is also required to attain the required output torque and velocity.