In modern automotive engines, Variable Displacement Oil Pump (VDOP) is becoming the pump of choice to enable reduction in friction and delivery of stringent fuel economy. However, this pump creates pressure ripples, at the outlet port during oil pump shaft rotation, causing oscillating forces within the system and leading to the generation of tonal noises and vibrations. In order to minimize the level of noise, different porting geometries and vane spacing are used.
This paper describes an optimization method intended to identify the best possible spacing of the vanes in the conventional 7-vanes, 9-vanes and 11-vanes oil pumps. The method integrates a Matlab routine with the modeFRONTIER
software to create the required design space in order to perform a multi-objective optimization using a genetic algorithm. Results of this optimization method are discussed and a design guideline for the VDOP vane spacing is disclosed. Test data are included to validate the results of the optimization study.