The main function of a Gear flow dividers is to divide the flow into two partial flows. This division takes place independently of the operating pressure in the two working ports. Gear flow dividers, also known as flow dividers, are self-regulating devices. In addition to dividing the volume flow, gear flow dividers are able to keep the partial flows the same size and combine them into a total flow.
Gear Flow Dividers Basics:
The essential components of a conventional gear flow divider are two or more gear modular elements, also called sections, and a shaft. This inner shaft mechanically connects the individual sections so that they rotate at the same speed. In contrast to multiple pumps with a mechanical input power, the input power in a gear flow divider depends on the flow. The flow is represented by an oil stream under a certain pressure, which feeds the modular elements in synchronism.
The gear modular elements are in turn connected to the hydraulic feed circuits of the drives. The fraction of flow occupied by an element is determined only by its nominal flow. As a result, gear flow dividers work without losses and much more precisely. The use of gear flow dividers reduces the need for necessary pumps in the respective hydraulic system. Fewer mechanical PTO shafts and complex mechanical transmissions are required, resulting in less wastage. In a gear flow divider, the input power at any point in time is the sum of the distributed powers.
Areas of application for gear flow dividers
A very common application of a gear flow divider is to feed two or more independent hydraulic circuits from one pump. The delivery capacity of the pump must correspond to the sum of all capacities. Examples of this application are platforms, lifting platforms, lubrication systems, hydraulic heave and bending presses, hydraulic drives on automatic machines, wood processing machines, food industry systems and military systems. Another application is pressure boosters.
In machine tools or presses with an accelerated process, the respective user requires a significantly higher operating or peak pressure than in the other pressure stages. Instead of re-dimensioning the entire system with a higher pressure, a geared flow divider for feeding is recommended in this hydraulic system. A gear flow divider with two elements, in which the outflow of one element is diverted, has a significantly higher pressure in the other element than the pressure in the pump that feeds the system.
Gear flow divider classification:
Gear flow dividers are divided into different groups according to size. Group 0 gear flow dividers have low flows, dimensions and displacements ranging from 0.24 to 2.28 cm³ per revolution. Gear flow dividers with medium-sized flow rates and dimensions and displacements from 0.91 to 9.88 cm³ per revolution belong to group 1. Large gear flow dividers of group 2 with large flow rates and dimensions, with displacements from 4.2 to 39.6 cm³ per revolution belong to the largest flow divider valves used.
Gear flow dividers can also be supplied with or without stroke phase compensation valves. Each cycle, these valves correct for the slight phase deviations that can occur between two or more hydraulic cylinders.