Experimental Research of the Hydrodynamic Processes of an Axial Piston Water Hydraulic Pump

Water hydraulic components and systems play pivotal roles in the development of modern hydraulics. Sustainable development and environmental protection cannot be imagined without the use of water as a working medium in modern hydraulic systems. An axial piston pump is the main component of these systems. This paper presents analytical and experimental methods for the development of an axial piston pump. The presented mathematical model is rooted in numerous research results in the literature and in our own experience. It is based on mathematical modelling of hydrodynamic processes of a water hydraulic axial piston pump which, combined with experimental research, provides a great tool to analyse the influence of different factors on the operating process and to optimise the pump parameters. The experimental equipment used in our tests simulates a real hydraulic installation, and the obtained results are very close to the actual operating parameters. This research included a modification of the swash plate in order to achieve ideal operating parameters and, thus, extend the service life of the pump. Water has a number of advantages over conventional hydraulic oils. It is a sustainable, environmentally friendly resource, more readily available than oil (lower transportation costs), cheaper to dispose of, non-flammable and non-toxic, and its high thermal conductivity aids in cooling.