Gear pump with slots in teeth to reduce cavitation

摘要

A gear pump (20) comprises a drive gear (24) being mounted for rotation about a first axis and having a plurality of gear teeth (25) at a radially outer location. A driven gear (26) is mounted for rotation about a second axis, and having a plurality of teeth (27) at a radially outer location. The drive gear teeth engage the driven gear teeth at a contact face to cause the driven gear to rotate. Slots (50) are formed in the contact face of one of the drive and driven gear teeth.