What kind of pump is this?

[epoxyman]

Recently, my boss replaced the electric fuel pump in his '89 corvette. He dismantled the old pump and brought pieces to work. It appears to consist of two stages. The first stage is a fixed straight vane pump (plastic).

The second stage (this is the part I need more info on)is metalic, consisting of five hollow rollers guided by a rotating, slotted hub. Slotted plates on both ends capture the rotating elements. The slots provide the suction and discharge for this stage. This stage appears to have features of vane pumps, internal gear pumps, gerotor and centrifigal pumps. There are no springs to keep the rollers in contact with the housing as a vane pump would have.

1)Does this type of pump have its own "type"?

2)Does anyone know if it is manufactured by someone who makes the pump as part of their regular product line? In other words, is this type of pump used in applications besides electric automotive fuel pumps?

My interest is in circulating oil in a non automotive application. A Delphi web site shows some performance curves for different variations of electric fuel pump assemblies. My application may need higher flow rates, and possibly higher pressures. The metal design would help us withstand relatively high temperatures. The compact size is adaptable to my application.

I have no need for the motor portion of the pump, as I have rotating shafts that can drive the pump.

 

[Snork]

What you are looking at is called a roller vane pump. They are fairly common in automotive fuel pump applications. The pump is positive displacement and should handle light oil just fine - I'm not sure about heavier oils. The issue is that the pump volumetric efficiency curve drops off with higher viscosity liquids - they just don't flow into the pump as well - so you'll have to try with your oil. You didn't say what speed you will be running the pump. Slower would help efficiency up to a point - assuming your oil is more viscous than gasoline - but run too slow leakage around the pump elements will become an issue.

 

[epoxyman]

Thanks ScottMc,

My shaft rpm is 60 hz, or about 3600. My oil viscosity varies by application (temperature). Viscosity is usually fairly low at operating temperatures(poors easily). Do you know if this type of pump is used exclusively in the auto. industry? Any sources?

Thanks,
Epoxyman