Updating an elastodynamic model of gear pumps to helical gear prototypes

A non-linear kineto-elastodynamic model for the dynamic analysis of external gear pumps for automotive applications has been presented and experimentally assessed in previous works. The model takes into account the most important phenomena involved in the operation of gear pumps with spur gears, there being gear meshing, pressure distribution around the gears and journal bearing behaviour. In this paper this model has been updated for the application to a new virtual pump prototype with helical gears in order to evaluate gear accelerations and dynamic forces before the hard prototype is available. The results of the simulations referring to the new pump are compared with the simulation results of the previous pump in terms of dynamic forces and gear accelerations. Finally, the model is also used in order to determine the causes of discontinuities in the dynamic forces and acceleration peaks.