Simulative and experimental investigation of tribological contact cylinder block - valve plate of axial piston machines

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. S Gels
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 247001897

Contents and target of the project is a better understanding of the tribological contact between cylinder block and valve plate of an hydraulic axial piston machine. To reach this target, a simulation program should be developed and set up. The results from the simulation should be compared to test-bench measurements.During the project phase, the build-up of the simulation program should be accomplished first. For this task, a lot of preliminary work and experience at IFAS can be used. The simulation program will be a stand-alone application, which allows a combined simulation of the Reynolds-equation for the gap and the deformation of the essential physical parts in a short simulation time. There are no commercial programs available, which allow this kind of simulation. The simulation should be improved stepwise during the project phase.To verify the simulation results, a test bench should be designed and constructed at IFAS. The test-bench should not only be used to verify the simulation program, but also to investigate modified materials or geometries of the piston-cylinder-contact.The research targets can be summarized as follows:- Simulation of viscous and mixed friction between cylinder block and valve plate, preferably with a good accuracy,- Gain of knowledge about wear at this tribological contact,- Replacement of machine parts of brass in this contact and use of PVD- or other coatings instead,- Investigation of changes in geometry to reduce friction losses and to improve the lifetime and efficiency of the machine.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr.-Ing. Hubertus Murrenhoff