Investigation of cavitation inside the valve plate suction groove of an axial piston pump

Cavitation produces noise and vibration, which affects the efficiency and service life of the axial piston pump. For the valve plate suction groove of an axial piston pump, cavitation is simulated using DES (Detached Eddy Simulation) turbulent model and mixture multi-phase cavitation model. The cavitation region and vapour volume fraction are compared at different outlet pressures of 60MPa, 40MPa and 30MPa. Also the rotation speed is 2850r/min. The cavitation regions are compared at different contact area between the piston and the groove. The distributions of vapour, velocity and pressure are analysed. The mechanisms of cavitation and reduction are studied. The visual experiment is carried out. It is found that the larger cavitation region due to the higher outlet pressure. The fluid velocity is high, but the pressure is low in the cavitation region. The influence of inlet pressures on cavitation distribution is also discussed. It shows that a reducing cavitation with an increasing inlet pressure. The visual result present that the cavitation generates when the oil flow through the groove.