Vacuum pumps are used in a wide range of applications, including removing gas from a sealed volume to create a partial vacuum. Rotary vane vacuum pumps are used as high-pressure hydraulic pumps in many industrial applications. To understand how these pumps work, you need to understand the pump design.
What’s Inside This Vacuum Pump?
It is an oil-sealed rotary displacement pump. The pumping system houses the following components.
- An eccentrically installed rotor
- Blades that move radially under spring force
- An inlet and outlet
Other Important Things about Pump Design
- The outlet is oil-sealed.
- The inlet valve works as a safety valve that remains open during operation.
- The working chamber is located inside the housing.
- The rotor and blades divide the chamber into separate spaces with variable volumes.
- The rotor is turned by the motor attached to it.
How Does a Rotary Vane Pump Works?
Rotary vane technology is known for its functional and robust construction. Due to the centrifugal force, the vanes slide out and form chambers. These chambers are formed inside the housing between the free moving rotor vanes and, the pumped medium is trapped in these chambers. The rotor vanes fit into numerous rotor slots.
- When you switch on the pump, the rotor creates a centrifugal force. It throws the free-moving blades against the cylindrical walls. This creates chambers between the cylinder and the rotor. As the rotor continues to turn, the chamber volume between the blades keeps changing as the rotor is positioned eccentrically.
- The inlet, the outlet, and the chamber volume become significant and then become smaller. When the chamber volume becomes bigger, a vacuum is created due to rotating blades. It allows air to enter the chamber from the inlet. The chamber gets smaller due to compressed air, which in turn creates pressure at the outlet.
- As the rotor turns, the gas continues to flow into the enlarging suction chamber until it is sealed off by a second blade. The enclosed gas is continuously compressed until the outlet valve opens against the atmospheric pressure.
Applications of Rotary Vane Pumps
Rotary vane vacuum pumps are top-rated. Many industries depend on the power of these pumps to complete various operations.
- Automotive and Aviation Industry
These pumps have diverse applications in automotive industries. Using these pumps, manufacturers can design products like automatic transmission, brakes, movement of fluids, power steering systems, and more. The aviation industry also depends on rotary pumps for various aspects of airplanes.
- Food Industry
These vacuum pumps are used in beverage processing machines and beverage dispensing machines too. You can find these rotary pumps in vending machines delivering espresso, coffee, and soft drinks.
- Scientific Applications
These pumps work in laboratories where a higher vacuum to 0.001 Torr is required.
- Other Applications
Rotary vacuum pumps are also used to pump gas, oil, and other liquids. Also, they have applications in the vacu-mobiles.
All these points explain the working principle of these pumps and some of their application. However, these rotary vane pumps are versatile. Small and large manufacturers use these pumps for different purposes and products.