End Plate Balance in Gear Pumps

Abstract

This paper presents a computer aided approach to the design of fixed and floating end plates in gear pumps. Account is taken of the relative tilt of the plates and gears and of the hydrodynamically and hydrostatically generated pressures between the gears and end plate. Criteria for achieving load and moment balance are outlined and the effects of cavitation discussed. It is shown that the approach leads to an understanding of the behaviour of wear plates and enables the effect of changes in plate design to be assessed.