1.

the distribution plate is represented, connecting all cylinders with the suction and
delivery channels.

The distribution plate presents two port connection. The left one is composed of a
single cavity, while the right one is divided in 5 holes, in order to increase the
stiffness of the plate.

2.All pistons, as well as the groove within each cylinder, have a

diameter d = 17 [mm] and the clearance between them is equal to 200 [µm];

OIL COMPRESSIBILITY AND LEAKAGE LOSSES

The actual behavior of the pump differs from the ideal one because of the friction losses,
compressibility of the oil and leakages. In this section the two latter effects are discussed, being
the main ones influencing the volumetric efficiency of the pump.

At the beginning of the delivery stroke, the volume of the cylinder decreases, causing the
increase of the oil pressure. This phenomenon is positive because the outlet pressure is very
high, compared to the suction pressure and the pressure jump cannot be too abrupt. It is
convenient also because of the design requirement to avoid a sharp passage from the suction to
the outlet pressure and vice versa. The reduction of the flow rate due to the compressibility is
just one of the causes. Another effect reducing the flow rate is the leakage due to the internal
gaps.

We can distinguish three main leakages:

piston/cylinder,

slipper/swash plate and

distribution plate leakages

The leakage due to piston/cylinder clearance is caused by two main sources.

One of them is the piston movement pushing the oil into the gap between piston and cylinder.

The second source of leakage is due to the pressure gradient through the gap between the
internal and external regions of the cylinder.

This effect is negligible during the suction phase, but it is important during the delivery phase,
when the pressure gradient is maximum. It is possible to evaluate the flow rate associated to the
linear velocity profile assuming a mean velocity equal to the piston mean velocity.

3.2. Leakage

For an axial piston pump, leakage occurs at barrel port plate, swash plate, slipper bearing or
between piston and barrel. Leakage benefits the relative motion with less friction and heat
generation, but sometimes leads to lack of pressure building and low volumetric efficiency.

It is demonstrated in common that over 94% of the leakage in piston pumps is in the slipper-
swash plate and the barrel port plate.

The cylinders are open to the discharge port of the valve plate (9) as the pistons move

upwards and expel fluid from the cylinder to pump’s pressure line. The fluid expelled

from this port is referred as the pump’s supply flow. As the pistons travel downwards,

the cylinders are open to the suction port (10) of the valve plate and draw fluid in from

the pump’s suction line.

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Principle of operation Pressure Compensator :-

2. A pressure-compensated flow control valve typically consists of a variable orifice and a

pressure compensator within a single valve body.

3. The overall path that fluid takes through the pressure-compensated valve is from the
supply through the inlet and compensator orifice, around the compensator spool,
through the variable orifice and out the outlet.

4. The desired flow rate is set on the variable orifice by adjusting the pass-through area
 of the orifice. This adjustment can be made manually by means of a knob, screw or
lever on the valve or remotely with electronic signals to a solenoid actuator attached
to the variable orifice. The pressure compensator automatically adjusts the size of the
orifice between the inlet flow and compensator spool, modulating the flow of fluid
that enters the valve to maintain a constant pressure drop across the variable orifice,
providing a constant flow rate through the valve.

5. The variable orifice consists of a valve stem with a pointed end that moves toward and
away from a seat to adjust the size of the opening through which fluid can pass. When
the stem tip is in full contact with the seat, the orifice is closed and no fluid can pass.
As the stem tip is moved away from the seat, the orifice opening is made progressively
larger, allowing more fluid to pass.

6. The pressure compensator consists of a spool valve anchored by a spring. The

compensator spool is comprised of a plunger that slides in a cylindrical barrel. The
plunger has thin and wide sections along its length. The wide sections, known as lands,
match the diameter of the barrel and block fluid flow if the plunger is positioned so
that the lands are adjacent to the ports. The narrow, waisted sections allow fluid to
pass through the spool.

7. The spool is anchored at one end to the valve housing by a spring, which applies a
force to that end of the spool. Fluid from past the variable orifice near the valve’s
outlet is ported to the anchored end of the spool to apply an additional force
corresponding to the load pressure. The load pressure is the pressure in the line
leading from the pressure-compensated flow control valve to the load, such as a
hydraulic motor or cylinder.

8. Fluid that has passed the inlet and compensator orifice but has not yet reached the
variable orifice is ported to the other end of the spool (the far end opposite the end
attached to the spring). The fluid at this end applies a force to the spool that opposes
the force on the spool from the load pressure plus the spring pressure. These opposing
forces cause the spool to move in the barrel, modulating the size of the opening of the
orifice through which fluid flows from the flow supply until the forces on either end of
the spool are balanced.

9. Thus, fluid flows from the supply, around the compensator spool and through the
variable orifice, while the pressure drop across the variable orifice is kept constant,
enabling the valve to output a constant flow rate independent of a changing pressure
drop between flow supply and load on either end of the pressure-compensated valve.
Principle of operation Variable displacement Axial Piston Pump :-

How Does it Work?

10. When the pressure at the outlet port reaches the compensator setting then the
compensator spool moves over against the spring force.

11. This allows the pump outlet pressure to have a path to the internal servo piston.

12. Do to the surface area of the servo piston and the pressure exerted on that area, a
force is generated that pushes the swash plate of the pump to a lower degree of stroke
angle.

13. Causing the piston travel in the rotating group to be reduced, thus a lower flow rate of
fluid is produced at the outlet port of the pump.
 14. Once the pressure in the system drops below the compensator setting, the
compensator spool is forced back the other direction via the spring force.

15. This allows the oil in the servo piston chamber to exhaust into the case of the pump,
where it is returned to tank via a case drain line.

16. The servo piston force that was holding the swash plate at a low angle is now reduced
and the bias spring pushes the swash plate back on stroke at full angle and flow

17. The pump tries to maintain compensator setting pressure, and will provide whatever
flow (up to it’s maximum flow rate) that is necessary to reach that pressure setting.

Sero Piston @ working Condition

Sero Piston @ no work Condition