Pumping Away

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Date: 24.04.21
As the source of power in a hydraulic system, pumps are critical components. To keep them leak-free and operating effectively, seals are vital. Franco Marano, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Global Segment Director Fluid Power, explains why.- By Meghan Cloud Braunger

WE WORK WITH PUMP MANUFACTURERS

to maximize the performance of their products. Our engineers work directly with the customer to identify needs and recommend seals based on operating parameters and the media in the pump.


Meeting all pump sealing needs

Pumps are a vital component in any hydraulic system, and they come in a range of different sizes, depending on the demands of the equipment. For example, there are large, high-pressure pumps in mining equipment and delicate, miniature pumps in medical devices.


One function of seals in pumps is to prevent leakage of fluid being pushed through the pump to the rest of the hydraulic system under harsh conditions and high pressures. As hydraulic systems use various media, ensuring chemical compatibility is crucial in a hydraulic system to maintain integrity. For example, the Turcon® Varilip® PDR replaces radial oil seals in aggressive fluids to extend system life.


Supporting customers to develop new products

Many of the sealing solutions we offer for pumps are from our existing extensive seal and material portfolio. But when our customers are working on innovative pump technology, including novel designs or incorporating new media, we can work with them to develop alternative seal geometries and materials. Depending on customers’ needs, our global R&D facilities support with a full range of services, from product and material development to testing. We also offer rapid prototyping services with expedited delivery to provide our customers with seal prototypes for their own test procedures.

 

Digital tools to support the engineer

The best solutions are based on early consultation between customers and our engineers. Nowadays, when working relationships are more on-line, pump designers can benefit from using our digital tools, all of which are free-to-use. There are a few that I use frequently. Firstly, the Hydraulic System Calculator, which supports engineers with a wide range of calculations. The O-Ring Calculator is one of the most useful tools we offer. Not only does it help people calculate O-Ring and housing dimensions, but it also recommends O-Ring sizes and part numbers, making the specifier’s job easier.

TOOLS & APPS FOR DESIGN ENGINEERS

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Hydraulic System Calculator

The Hydraulic System Calculator supports people working with hydraulic cylinders, pumps, motors and pipes, and helps them design individual hydraulic components around single acting or double-acting cylinders. Specific to pump design, and in compliance with global standards, the tool supports the calculation of displacement, flow rate, electric motor power, Reynolds number, pressure drop across orifice and more.
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O-Ring Calculator

The O-Ring Calculator helps people easily calculate O-Ring dimensions and the appropriate housing layout in accordance with global standards, and it recommends O-Ring sizes and corresponding part numbers based on installation specifications. The O-Ring Calculator is relevant for a wide range of applications and particularly for fluid power components.

Pumping solutions

Pumps provide the source of power in hydraulic systems. They use rotation to create fluid flow and generate pressure, which delivers hydraulic energy to the rest of the system. A variety of seals within the pump prevent leakage and contamination from external media entering the hydraulic system. At the same time, they ensure uninhibited function of the pump with low friction and wear. Sealing solutions, optimized for pump applications, can potentially extend the service life of the pump and also the equipment it operates in.

Pumping Solutions

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1.Rotary seals are installed in the external drive shaft of an axial piston pump

Pump1

Typical seals: Radial oil seals prevent leakage from the drive shaft during pump operating cycles and exclude ingress of contamination with an externally facing dust lip.

Turcon® Varilip® PDR offers stick-slip-free running and is suitable for high surface speeds with low pressure. Turcon® material is compatible with a variety of media and operates in a wide temperature range. 

The HP20 rotary oil seal is an elastomeric seal suitable for sealing medium to high hydraulic oil pressure at low to medium shaft speeds. Available in FKM and HNBR for
standard and low temperature environments.
2. Piston seals prevent fluid flow between different sections of a pump. In an axial pump, the swashplate angle is adjusted by a positioning piston. As the flow rate of the pump is determined by this angle, it is critical that the position is precisely controlled.

Pump2

Typical seal: The Turcon® Glyd Ring® is a low friction, abrasion -resistant seal that allows the positioning cylinder to function reliably as needed over a long period of time.
3. Static seals feature at various places in the pump housing to prevent contamination of the system.

Pump3

Typical seals: O-Rings are available in a wide range of elastomer materials for both standard and special applications.
4.Gaskets installed on flanges prevent leakage at connection points, for example, where the pump connects to the pipes.

Pump4

Typical seal: HiMod® FlatSealTM 15, part of Trelleborg’s range of flat gaskets, offers exceptional performance in pump and other hydraulic component applications.