Numerical simulation of fluid-structure interaction in the design process for a new axial hydraulic pump

With the help of numerical simulation a new high-pressure hydraulic axial pump has been developed at Gdansk University. Its unique feature is the total independence of a pressure switching mechanism, which saves weight and provides the possibility to control the pump by computer. To avoid noise and possible damage of the pump through harmful pressure peaks an additional chamber equipped with an elastic wall was introduced. Numerical simulation of the fluid-structure interaction occurring at the elastic wall proved to be very insightful for the development of the new pump. Results of the coupled simulation-using Fluent, Abaqus and Fraunhofer SCAI's multiphysics software MpCCI-are presented in this paper.