Vane tip detachment in a positive displacement vane pump

Abstract

This paper reports on the theoretical study of the transient chamber, pressure and vane motion in a positive displacement vane pump which widely used in the automotive power steering systems. For analyzing the vane detachment, dynamic equation of vane motion and flow continuity equations are derived and then solved simultaneously using the numerical integration. Vane detachment is shown to be a function of the chamber pressure, rotational speed, and the design geometry of pump. Vane detachment occurs due to excess compression of chamber volume, and it can be reduced by adjustment of design parameters. Specially, silencing V-groove in side plate and radius reduction ratio of compression zone in the cam ring are important design factors for reducing the vane detachment.