An investigation into the performance of hydrostatically loaded end-plates in high pressure pumps and motors: movable plate design

Abstract In this paper an attempt is presented to investigate the performance of the movable (floating) end-plates in a number of designs of gear pumps. It is shown that hydrodynamically generated load and moment on the end-plates must balance the hydrostatic load and moment acting at the rear of the plates. From theoretical studies on different pump designs it appears that this load and moment balance is not generally achieved. The inclusion of boundary lubrication between the tooth tips and the end-plates in the theoretical model enabled the experimentally observed results to be predicted.