Computational Valve Plate Design in Axial Piston Pumps/Motors

Abstract

Many industries utilize axial piston machines for the compact design, highoperating pressures, variable displacements, and high efficiencies that faroutweigh the machines’ manufacturing costs. For all axial piston machines,the valve plate functions as an essential determinant of performance. Theaim of this research is to develop a design methodology generalizable to alltypes of valve plates while remaining accessible to users without advancedtechnical knowledge. The proposed design methodology is organized to fit theform of the standardized optimization problem statement. This organizationenables the use of any modern optimization algorithm. Specifically, the designmethodology utilizes a previously developed computer model, which is basedon the main physical phenomena influencing the design of flow passagesfrom the pump port to the displacement chambers and vice versa. The chosendesign methodology allows the precise optimization of the valve plate designby simulations rather than expensive trial and error processes. A recent casestudy demonstrated the strong positive correlation between application of themethodology and improved performance of the valve plate design.