Positive displacement fluid pump having improved fill characteristics

摘要

A pump assembly is provided that includes a gerotor pump and a manifold. An aspirating member is positioned between a pump inlet cavity in the manifold and a fluid reservoir. Fluid flow generated by operation of the pump is diverted by a flow control valve and accelerates as it passes between the aspirating member and the manifold. The resulting decrease in static pressure draws the fluid out of the reservoir where it mixes with the higher velocity fluid. As the combined fluid is slowed, the static pressure increases to "supercharge" the inlet cavity to improve the inlet fill and reduce cavitation. An inlet port in the gerotor pump corresponds to the inlet cavity in the manifold. The timing and geometry of an input port is optimized to prevent noise inducing pressure spikes while maintaining sufficient back pressure in the pump chambers to collapse entrapped vapor bubbles in the fluid.