Description

How They Work

A vane pump typically consists of a rotor with slots machined into it. These slots house sliding vanes that are held in place by centrifugal force. As the rotor turns, the vanes are forced outward by centrifugal force, creating chambers between the vanes and the casing. These chambers fill with fluid and are then carried around the rotor and discharged.

Types of Vane Pumps

• Internal gear vane pumps: Combine the features of gear pumps and vane pumps, with vanes sliding in the spaces between internal gears.
• External gear vane pumps: Similar to internal gear vane pumps, but the gears mesh externally.

Advantages of Vane Pumps

• Self-priming: Can operate without a full suction line filled with liquid.
• Handles viscous fluids: Efficient at pumping thick fluids.
• Variable displacement: Can be designed to provide variable flow rates by adjusting the eccentricity of the rotor.
• Handles solids: Can pump fluids containing solids, although the tolerance for solids is lower than for screw pumps.

Applications

• Hydraulic systems: Used in hydraulic systems to transfer hydraulic fluid.
• Chemical processing: Used to pump corrosive fluids.
• Food and beverage industry: Used for pumping viscous fluids like honey or syrup.
• Fuel transfer: Used in fuel transfer systems.
• Lubrication systems: Used to circulate lubricating oil.