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Hydraulic Pump Flow Equation:
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The hydraulic pump flow rate (GPM - gallons per minute) measures how much fluid a pump can move in a given time. It's a critical parameter in hydraulic system design and operation, determining system performance and component sizing.
The calculator uses the fundamental hydraulic flow equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates flow rate by multiplying the pump's displacement per revolution by its speed, then converting from cubic inches to gallons.
Details: Accurate flow rate calculation is essential for proper hydraulic system design, ensuring adequate fluid supply to actuators, preventing cavitation, and matching pump capacity to system requirements.
Tips: Enter pump displacement in cubic inches per revolution and pump speed in RPM. Both values must be positive numbers. Typical displacement values range from 0.1 to 10 in³/rev for most industrial pumps.
Q1: What's the difference between theoretical and actual flow rate?
A: Theoretical flow is calculated as shown, while actual flow accounts for pump efficiency (typically 85-95% for gear pumps, 90-98% for piston pumps).
Q2: How does pressure affect flow rate?
A: Higher pressure slightly reduces actual flow rate due to internal leakage (slip) in the pump. The effect is more pronounced at higher pressures.
Q3: What's a typical flow rate for industrial hydraulic systems?
A: Common flow rates range from 5-30 GPM for medium-sized industrial machinery, though systems can range from <1 GPM to >100 GPM.
Q4: How do I convert GPM to other units?
A: 1 GPM = 3.785 LPM (liters per minute) = 0.0631 LPS (liters per second) = 0.1337 ft³/min.
Q5: What if my pump displacement is in cc/rev?
A: Convert cc to in³ first (1 in³ = 16.387 cc). For example, 10 cc/rev = 0.61 in³/rev.