All About Gear Pumps
Gear pumps are one of the most popular types of positive displacement pumps. They tend to be compact in size and have minimal moving parts.
They utilize gears, sometimes called rotating cogs, to transfer fluids. The two gears produce a seal and creates suction to the inlet side, fluid is drawn into the pump and then the gears rotate moving the liquid to the outlet port. As the gears rotate they separate on the intake side of the pump, creating a void and suction which is filled by fluid.
There are two basic designs, internal or external. Internal gear pumps are typically designed with a gear within a gear, with both rotating the same way with the outer gear driving the inner (or idler) gear. External gear pumps feature two gears of the same size, rotating opposite of each other pushing the liquid to either side before joining back up at the output.
Gear pumps perform well pumping high viscosity fluids and oils. They also are commonly used to pump harsh liquids as well as resins, chemicals, oils, ink, solvents, food products and more. The rotating gears evacuate any air in the suction line and force the liquid into the pump, enabling self priming capabilities. Gear pumps are able to handle moderate to high pressure, low to high temperatures and a range of flow rates and high capacities due to their overall design.
In many cases, gear pumps are compact in size and economical. Their steady and consistent flow makes gear pumps an ideal solution for applications where accurate dosing, precise volume and high pressure output is important.