Hydraulic Tests of the PZ0 Gear Micropump and the Importance Rank of Its Design and Operating Parameters

Abstract

This article presents the results of hydraulic tests performed for a prototype gear micropump of a new design. The development of modern hydraulic systems is following two directions: the integration of hydraulic and electronic engineering and a reduction in the mass and the dimensions of the system. The scope of this research involved identifying static characteristics of the prototype gear pump, i.e., its efficiency, torque and power. The tests were performed for PZ0 pumps with the following specific deliveries (which are their design parameters), 0.25 cm3/rev, 0.315 cm3/rev, 0.5 cm3/rev, 0.8 cm3/rev, and 1.0 cm3/rev—with two different types of hydraulic oils, Azolla ZS 22 and HL 68. The operating parameters included the rotational speed, the discharge pressure and the flow rate. The obtained research results suggest an application of the decision tree induction-based classification method for identifying the most important design and operating parameters and their values influencing total efficiency. In addition, the article investigates the influence of rotational speed and specific delivery on total efficiency. The total efficiency translates indirectly into the energy consumption of the solution. The criterion of energy consumption is a key parameter for ecological and economical reasons, related mainly to future operating costs.

Keywords

• gear micropump
• microhydraulics
• optimization
• entropy
• decision support systems
• total efficiency