Research on the cavitation characteristics of axial piston pump based on computational fluid dynamics models

Axial piston pumps typically operate under high-pressure and high-speed conditions, making them prone to cavitation, particularly in the piston chambers and grooves of the valve plate. When cavitation bubbles are carried into the high-pressure region by the oil flow, their collapse generates intense pressure pulsations and fluid excitation forces, which significantly affect the working stability of the pump. To study the cavitation characteristics of the axial piston pump, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed in this paper, taking into account key flow characteristics. Meanwhile, a cavitation visualization test rig is presented to validate the effectiveness of the simulation model. By investigating the gas-phase volume fraction and jet flow velocity at different locations within the pump, generation mechanisms and dynamic characteristics of cavitation in the piston chambers, grooves, and slippers under various operating conditions are systematically revealed under various operating conditions. Moreover, comparative studies are conducted to examine the evolution of cavitation behavior under different pressures and rotational speeds. The findings elucidate the significant influences of these parameters on cavitation dynamics in axial piston pumps. This work provides a theoretical basis for developing effective strategies to suppress cavitation and enhance pump reliability.