The global population is constantly on the rise which exerts a lot of pressure on the industrial sector. Industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and construction are being forced to perform on overdrive to meet the increasing needs of the growing population. Stakeholders have, thus seen a need to increase production rates, while at the same time try to balance the costs involved with the increased production. It is in line with this requirement that players in these industries are innovating machines such as auto and vane pumps that will increase energy production while consuming limited natural resources. So, how do these vane pumps work to improve automotive and supercharger efficiency?
Vane Pump Mechanism
Rotary vane pump, or simply vane pump works on the principle of positive displacement. This pump is made up of an installed rotor, outlet, inlet valve, and vanes that are all contained in a pump housing. They all converge at the center under a spring force. The inlet valve is a vacuum safety device. The pump utilizes an electromagnetic motor. The device can achieve great volumes every minute and get higher vacuum at a fast rate depending on the size of the rotor and cylinder. The machine uses a special kind of oil to run smoothly and attain high and maximum vacuums.
The vanes are fixed at a central drive shaft that allows them to rotate within the chamber. The vanes are variable in length and slide in and out within the chamber maintaining contact with the chamber's housing. The vanes rotation creates chambers that vary in size. Fluids are forced in via the largest chamber, then the vanes retract as they continue rotation reducing the size of the chambers. The fluids are then forced out via the smallest chamber through the discharge port. Each revolution in the chamber displaces a constant volume of fluid.
Advantages
The design of this system has various advantages in supercharging efficiency. The pump can handle Low viscosity fluids like LPG, refined fuels, liquid carbon dioxide, and refrigerants among others at high pressures, can dry run for short periods and can develop a good and high vacuum.
As mentioned earlier, the aim is to increase the amount of energy produced while balancing it with the amount of fuel consumed. The rotating vanes can self-adjust in a way that they maintain internal clearances. This mechanism ensures that very low energy is wasted and the production of more power at limited levels of energy consumption. The result is powerful engines with more horsepower, reduced emissions of greenhouse gasses and more output.
Relation to Superchargers
In a supercharger, the pressure or density of air is increased while being supplied to the combustion engine. This allows more oxygen into the engine enabling it to burn more fuel and increase its power. With a positive displacement pump such as a vane pump, the amount of air delivered per revolution is nearly fixed at all speeds thus maintaining the required power.
In the automotive industry, vane pumps are vital. The pumps play important roles in the braking system, automatic transmission, braking in addition to supercharging.
