The influence of gear micropump body asymmetry on stress distribution

The paper presents the results of numerical calculations of stress distributions in the gear micropump body for applications in hydraulic systems, especially in the marine sector. The scope of the study was to determine the most favorable position of bushings and pumping unit in the gear pump body in terms of stress and displacement distribution in the pump housing. Fourteen cases of gear pump bushings and pumping unit locations were analyzed: starting from the symmetrical position relative to the central axis of the pump, up to a position shifted by 2.6 mm towards the suction channel of the pump. The analysis of the obtained calculation results has shown that the most favorable conditions for pump operation are met when the bushings are shifted by 2.2 mm towards the suction channel. In this case the maximal stress was equal to 109 MPa, while the highest displacement was about 15μm. Strength and stiffness criteria in the modernized pump body were satisfied.