A Turbine-Speed Pump for Vehicle Transmission Use

A turbine-speed, variable-displacement, high pressure hydraulic pump is currently being developed at Battelle Memorial Institute under contract with the U. S. Army Tank-Automotive Command. This pump is intended to operate over a pressure range of 2000-8000 psi at constant power and will utilize conventional petroleum-base fluids. The basic concept is a small-diameter, two-lobed vane pump capable of stepless variation in displacement.

The pump is intended for possible use in land-vehicle transmission systems. It is anticipated that the pump will have efficiencies competitive with or exceeding conventional speed pumps, will be lighter and smaller, and can be driven at gas turbine speeds.