A NEW NUMERICAL MODEL FOR A DOUBLE FRONTAL

VISCOUS PUMP
Radu-Mircea Carp-Ciocârdia, Mihai Schiaua, Andrei Dragomirescu

University Politehnica of Bucharest

carp@meca.omtr.pub.ro

ABSTRACT
The paper deals with the study of an original double frontal viscous pump. An
original numerical model for theoretical investigation, based on finite difference
method, are prezented. In the model the active surfaces of the pump are regarded as
pressure compliant. It is considered that the relative motion between the rotor and
the stator is one of translation, but the variation velocity with radius must be taken
into account.

KEYWORDS: Tribology, Lubrication, Viscous Pump, Compliance

1. Nomenclature  - rotational angular velocity

BL - dimensionless width of stator, B L  b / l Subscripts

E - Young modulus
H - dimensionless film thickness, 1 - for domain with h1 film thickness
H  h / h1  h2  2 - for domain with h2 film thickness
I - knot number in x direction
K - coefficient of compliance,
J - knot number in z direction
K  klu m / h1  h2 3 e - exit
N - number of knots i - enter
P - dimensionless pressure, p - pumping
P  ph1  h2 2 / u m l  x - in x direction
z - in z direction
Q - dimensionless flow rate,
Q  q / bu m h1  h2  2. Introduction
U - dimensionless velocity, U  u / u m
b - width of stator Hydrodynamics (gasodynamics) lubrication
e - radius corresponding to medium velocity throuh wedge effect has been known for over a
g - half of thickness of stator century and has very many applications. While some
h - film thickness of these have already become classics (bearings,
k - coefficient of compliance guideways, sealings), others have only recently
l - length of stator become known to specialists. Among these, an
p - pressure important place is occupied by viscous pumps [5].
q - volumetric flow rate In fact, a viscous pump is a hydrodynamic or
r - radius gasodynamic bearing in which the flow rate of
u - velocity pressurized fluid is delivered through an outlet hole
um - medium velocity, u m  e placed in the lift zone. The name of the pump is due
x - coordinate along the stator to the fact that the transport of the fluid is made by
z - coordinate across the stator viscous friction forces.
Viscous pumps which have been made and
X - X  1 / N x  1
studied so far are based on the clearane step proper
Z - Z  1 / N z  1 (Rayleigh step) or its variant [2].
 - maximum error of iterative method With a simple viscous pump the corresponding
 - dynamic viscosity force of the pressure distribution has negative effects
 - Poisson coefficient (the modification of the minimum clearance h2
between the active surfaces, the modification of the
 1

Legend
1 - pipe;
2 2 - connecting piece;
3 - stator;
3 4 - cradle;
5,5’ - disks.

4 5’

n 5 h2
h1
a
M6

Ø8 1 Legend
23 1 - stator;
14, h2
2 2 - cradle;
5
3 - axle;
h1 3
8 4 - tank.
= = 4
19,5

b c
Legend
1 2 3 4 5 working fluid 1 - tap;
6 2 - pressure gauge;
3 - rotor;
water supply 4 - graduated cylinder;
7 5 - pressure gauge;
6 - tap;
8 7 - tank;
8 - stator;
9 9 - serpentine pipe for
water cooling.
d
Fig.1. Stand for the experimenting of the double frontal viscous pump.
a) sketch of the function of the pump; b) front view of one of the faces of the stator;
c) diagram of the cardanic connectiontion of the stator in comparison with the recerving tank;
d) sketch of the function of the stand.
geometry clearance owin to the deformation of the these materials are totally different, the simulation
active surfaces, “disbalance” of the pump). In order to must take into account the phenomenon of
avoid these effects, a double viscous pump that is compliance. Simulating this phenomenon as is [3]
“balanced” has been executed and tested (Fig.1) [1]. therefore, with the coeficient [6]:
This has the advantage that for certain pumping
pressure the utilizable flow rate is doubled. k
g  1  2   (1)
E
Previously, for the theoretical investigation of
Reynolds equation, undimensional, is:
the pump two numerical samples based on the
 
method with finite differences were created [4]. On H  KP 3 P  
the basis of the geometrical configuration from fig.2, X  X 
of the first sample it is considered that the active 1   3 P 
surfaces of the pump are perfectly rigid, and in the  H  KP  Z   (2)
second sample the phenomenon of compliance was B L2 Z  
considered. In both samaples the hypothesis was 
made that the relative motion between the disks of the
 6U H  KP 
X
rotor and the stator is one of translation with a Applying the method with finite differences, the
constant velocity u = e. undimensional pressure in any knot of the net is:
In this paper, starting with an ideea on Professor PI 1,J  PI 1,J 3 K C 1 2
Pascovici a new numerical model base on the method PI ,J   
of finite differences is presented. The phenomenon of  4 C 2
3 K PI ,J 1  PI ,J 1 
compliance is taken into account and the relative PI ,J 1  PI ,J 1 2
motion between the disks of the rotor and the stator is    (3)
considered to be one of translation, however the  4 C2
velocity is variable with the radius. In order to resolve 3K C
it a proramme in programming language C++ has  U J 13
 X C2
been created.
where:
3. Numerical model  1 1 1 
  2  2 
 X  B L Z 2 
2
For the simulation of the working at the double
frontal viscous pump, having the geometrical   ( X ) 2
configuration in Fig.2, Reynolds equation must be   B L2 ( Z ) 2 (4)
integrated on the rectangular surface of the stator, so
that certain limit conditions may be fulfilled. C 1  PI 1,J  PI 1,J
In the lubrication domain, the most used C 2  H 1( 2 )  KPI ,J
approximate method to solve such a problem is that
In the case of discontinuity, the flow rate sum
of finite differences which consists in determining the
which enters an infinitely small domain, through a
values of the integrate function, that is of the
discontinuity passes should be equal with the flow
pressure, in the knots of a net obtained by dividing
rate sum which exits in this domanin (Fig.3d ):
the rectangular surface of the stator.
Q zi  Q xi( h 2 )  Q xi( h1 ) 
The division must be made in such a way that, (5)
some of the knots of the net should also be  Q ze  Q xe( h 2 )  Q xe( h1 )
reprezentative for the discontinuities of the domain. The equation for undimensional pressure in any
This can be achieved without any problems for the knot (I, J) situated on the threshold is:
borders of the side threshold, but not for the circular PI ,J  AD1  3CD 3  3CD 5 
contour of the colector bore hole of the pressurized
fluid even if we use the divission in unequidistant  AD 2  3CD4  3CD6  
intervals. That is why we have considered an  BU J 1 / 4 K 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  
 BU J 1 / 4 K 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  
equidistant division (Fig.3) with the step X and Nx
knots in the direction x (length l), respectively with
the step Z and Nz knots in direction z (width b).  BU J 1 / 4 K 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  
(6)
Thus, the circular bore hole becomes a polygon  BU J 1 / 4 K 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  
contour (Fig.3b).
 AD1 PI ,J 1  CD 3 PI ,J 1  3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  
The limit conditions which are imposed:
 on the stator border the pressure is zero;  CD5 PI ,J 1  3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  
 in the knots of the contour of the polygonal  AD 2 PI ,J 1  CD4 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  PI ,J 1  
outlet, the pressure is that of the pumping.
The double frontal pump which was achieved  CD6 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  PI ,J 1 
and tested has the rotor disks made of steer, and the where:
stator made of polyamide. As the Young modulus of
 4. Results

A  X / 96  Z  B L2 
B  Z / 32 For the numerical calculation of the pressure
distribution, the algebric equations presented in the
C  Z / 49152  X  above paragraph have been used. For solving the

D1  2 H 2( 1 )  K PI ,J  PI ,J 1  3 equation a programme in C++ has been made. The
pressure values have been determined by successive
D 2  2 H 1( 2 )  K PI ,J 1  PI ,J 3 iteration. As the expression of the pressure in a knot
D3  8 H 2( 1 )  K 3 PI ,J  PI ,J 1  is an unlinear algebric equation, for every iteration of
the pressure of the knots have been calculated and the
 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1 3 (7) contraction method has been used.

D4  8 H 2( 1 )  K 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1  The calculations for the share in Fig.1b have
been calculated. The following data have been also
 3 PI ,J  PI ,J 1 3 considered:

D5  8 H 1( 2 )  K 3 PI ,J  PI ,J 1   h1 = 0,075 mm;
 h2 = 0,015 mm;
 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1 3  e = 26 mm;

D6  8 H 1( 2 )  K 3 PI 1,J  PI 1,J 1   Nx = 93;
 Nz = 79;
 3 PI ,J  PI ,J 1 3  Pp = 0,8;
After determining numerically the distribution   = 10-4.
of the pressure, the utilizable flow rate of the pump The distributions of pressure obtained are
can be established as the algebric sum of the flow presented in Fig.4 (3D-graphics) and in Fig.5
rates which enters the domain limited by the frontier (graphics “contour”).
of the stator and flow rates which exit from this In Fig.6 the characteristic of the pump function
domain. is represented, both for the sample in which it was
Taking into account that both faces of the stator considered that the relative velocity between the disks
are active, making the calculations and of the rotor and the stator is constant, as well as the
undimensionalizing, the dependence flow rate- one in which the velocity varies with the radius.
pressure is obtained:
H3 5. Conclusions
Q p  S1  2 S 2  S3  S5  
6
(8)  An original numerical sample for a double frontal
H 13 1 H 23
 S4  S 6  S7  viscous pump has been created, based on the finite
6 6 BL2 difference method. It is considered that the active
where: surfaces of the pump are deformable with the
J 2 1 pressure. The relative motion between the disks of the
S 1  Z U
J  J1
J rotor and the stator is one of translation and the
relative velocity is variable with the radius.
J 1 1  A programme has been made C++, in
Z
S2   P
J 0
1, J  P0 ,J 
X
programming language for the calculation of the
pressure distribution and the pumping flow rate.
N z 2  Considering a variable relative velocity with
Z
S3   P
J J2
1 ,J  P0 ,J 
X
radius led to the asymetrical distribution of pressure
on the surface of the stator.
J 2 1  The characteristic of the dependence of the flow
Z
S4   P
J  J1
1 ,J  P0 ,J 
X
(9) rate in functiuon of pump pressure obtained is closer
to that obtained experimentally [1] in comparison
with that of anterior models.
N z 2

 P  XZ  For the considered data the effect ofvariable

S5  N x  2 ,J  PN x 1,J
velocity is not very important.
J 0
 The model created can be improved in the futur
N x 2
X by using a system of cilindrical coordonates.
S6   P
I 0
I ,1  PI ,0 
Z
N x 2
References
 P  X
S7  I ,N z  2  PI ,N z 1
I 0
Z 1. Carp-Ciocârdia, R.-M., Pascovici, M.D., 1996, “Rezultate
experimentale şi numerice cu privire la funcţionarea unei pompe de
vîscozitate frontală dublă”, Lucrările ştiinţifice prezentate la a 7-a
Conferinţă internaţională de tribologie, Editura Tehnică,TCMM,
Bucureşti, Vol. 18, pp.140-148.
2. Carp-Ciocârdia, R.-M., Predescu, A., 2000, “Pompa de
vîscozitate cu interstiţiu treaptă de lăţime infinită. Partea I: Modelul
cu suprafeţe active rigide”, A 10-a Conferinţă de lubrificaţie şi
tracţiune EHD, Suceava, pp.61-68.
3. Carp-Ciocârdia, R.-M., Predescu, A., 2000, “Pompa de
vîscozitate cu interstiţiu treaptă de lăţime infinită. Partea II:
Modelul cu suprafeţe active elastice”, A 10-a Conferinţă de
lubrificaţie şi tracţiune EHD, Suceava, pp.69-74.
4. Carp-Ciocârdia, R.-M., 2000, “Investigarea unei pompe de
vîscozitate frontală dublă. Partea I: Modele numerice”, A 10-a
Conferinţă de lubrificaţie şi tracţiune EHD, Suceava, pp.75-86.
5. Pascovici, M.D., 1985, “Lubrificaţia. Prezent, perspective”,
Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti.
6. Suciu, C.V., 1994, “Asupra unor module pentru descrierea
fenomenului de complianţă”, Construcţia de Maşini, Bucureşti,
Vol. 46, pp.39-42.

b
Fig.4. Pressure distribution for Pp=0,8 (3D-graphics).
a – the case of liniar velocity; b – the case of constant velocity.
 2g
e

Ø b1
h2
l
l1

u
u
h1
b1
ω h2
= = h2
b h1
h1

Fig.2. The geometric configuration of the double frontal viscous pump.

(Nx,1) (Nx,J (Nx,Nz/2)

)

h2

h1

(I,1) (I,J) (I,Nz/2)

x

(1,1) (1,J) (1,Nz/2)

z

a b

h2
(I+1,J-1) (I+1,J) (I+1,J+1) (I+1,J-1) (I+1,J) (I+1,J+1)
h1
X X
(I,J-1) (I,J) (I,J+1) (I,J-1) (I,J) (I,J+1)
Controlling
X X volume

(I-1,J-1) (I-1,J) (I-1,J+1) (I-1,J-1) (I-1,J) (I-1,J+1)

Z Z Z Z

c d

Fig.3. Division of the experimented pump system.

a) principal elements of division;
b) the “polygonalization” of the bore hole of collection of the pressurized fluid;
c) sketch for the writing of the discharge balance for knot (I, J) situated on the threshold.
 a

b
Fig.5. Pressure distribution for Pp=0,8 (graphic “contur”).
a – the case of liniar velocity; b – the case of constant velocity.
 0,45
U constant
U liniear
0,4

0,35

0,3

0,25
Qp

0,2

0,15

0,1

0,05

0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5
Pp

Fig.6. The dependence of the pumped flow rate on the fluid pressure.