A radial piston pump uses a drive shaft to move pistons in and out of cylinders to pump fluid. It differs from an axial piston pump in the arrangement of pistons and cylinders. The pump can be fixed or variable displacement and is used in various industries for its reliability and low noise.
A radial piston pump uses a drive shaft to drive pistons in and out of cylinders arranged perpendicular to the shaft to pump fluid. The back and forth motion of the pistons pumps fluid through the pump. A radial piston pump differs from an axial piston pump in the way the pistons and cylinders are arranged parallel to the crankshaft.
In this type of pump, multiple pistons and cylinders are housed in a cylinder block spaced evenly around the drive shaft. Typically there is a bearing ring, off center from the crankshaft, which causes these pistons to reciprocate. The springs keep the pistons in contact with this ring as they move back and forth. The position of the ring determines how far the piston travels and therefore determines the amount of fluid that can be drawn in and out in one cycle. The more fluid that can be pumped, the more off-centre this ring is.
The pumping cycle takes place in two stages. During piston ascent, fluid is drawn into the cylinder. As the ring moves and the piston position changes, fluid is forced out of the cylinder.
The two basic types of pistons used in these pumps are those in the shape of a cylinder or a ball. Valves in each cylinder control the inlet and outlet of the pumped fluid. Other design variants include options for remote maintenance via computer and on-board electronics for volume and pressure control.
A radial piston pump can be fixed displacement or variable displacement. In a fixed displacement pump, a certain amount of fluid is pumped in each cycle and cannot be changed. The amount of fluid pumped in a variable displacement design is adjustable. This can be achieved in radial piston pump designs by changing the position of the ring, blowing out one or more pistons, or some other method.
Given its reliability, low noise and suitability in high pressure situations, many operations make use of a radial piston pump. Manufacturing applications include the use of radial piston pumps in heavy machinery such as metalworking tools and test and simulation equipment. They can be used in power generation and transmission operations, both on land and at sea. Their high performance at relatively low speeds also make them a good choice for use in cranes and agricultural equipment.
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