Modeling the Axial Balancing Mechanism of Orbit Annular Hydraulic Machines

A customized combined methodology based on both 2D CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and lumped parameters numerical modeling, useful for simulating the hydraulic behavior of orbit annular machines, has been developed and here presented. More in details, the predictive capabilities of this CAE (computer-aided engineering) tool can be applied for the study of both roller and gerotor architectures and considering both pumping and motoring operating mode. First of all, an in-house developed 2D CFD methodology, based on the integration of the stationary form of the Reynolds equation for the determination of the pressure distribution inside the lateral clearances bounded by the sides of the stator-rotor group and the valve plate, as well as the internal manifold surface, is firstly presented and applied. The same computational procedure has been also involved for the investigation of the leakages through the clearance between the valve plate and the balancing ring. After that, a lumped and distributed parameters numerical model has been involved for the simulation of a typical orbit roller motor operation. In this case, particular care has been devoted to the modeling of the axial leakage clearances, adopting analytical interpolation functions deducted from the numerical results calculated applying the previously described 2D CFD methodology. Finally, the whole CAE approach has been validated by means of a comprehensive numerical versus experimental comparison, obtaining a general good accordance for the overall operating field of this particular type of hydraulic unit.