It may seem like a basic question to ask what is the purpose of a hydraulic pump but, even to some engineers in the industry the
answer is obscured, so:
WHAT DOES A HYDRAULIC PUMP DO?
A hydraulic pump is the component within a system that converts mechanical power into hydraulic energy. Hydraulic energy is a mixture of both pressure and flow, which enables the system to work. Hydraulic energy requires both pressure and flow in order for it to work correctly, performance cannot be achieved without both of them working together. In turn, the function of a hydraulic pump is to push fluid through the machine which in turn will move loads. A pump creates fluid movement, it doesn’t generate pressure. The key thing to remember about hydraulic pumps is that pumps produce flow, and pressure is resistant to flow.
TYPES OF HYDRAULIC PUMPS:
There is a varied range of hydraulic pumps available to suit your flow/pressure requirements and application type. The 3 most common pump types are; variable, fixed and gear pumps. Below we will briefly explain the functions of the most common hydraulic pumps.
VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT PUMP
Flow can be varied at a given shaft speed. Typically tend to be more energy efficient because flow and pressure more closely matches load. The most common types being variable piston pumps.
FIXED DISPLACEMENT PUMP
Flow only varies with shaft speed. Fixed displacement pumps are good for constant flow and pressure applications. The most common types being gear pumps and vane pumps.
GEAR PUMP
Flow is repeatedly moved due to interlocking cogs and gears enclosing a fixed volume and transferring it mechanically. There are two types of gear pumps, internal and external.
