Saving Space and Reducing Weight Are Often Among The Key Challenges

Saving space and reducing weight are often among the key challenges facing machine builders and designers. When the application involves high-precision liquids transfer there is a range of ultra-compact external gear pumps which provides engineers with an effective solution for just about any OEM liquids transfer requirement. Available from Michael Smith Engineers the Micropump range of external gear pumps comprises 9 series of pumps. These cover flow rates from as low as ml/hr, up to 40 lit/min at maximum discharge pressures between 5.2 and 8.5 bar, depending on the model and the fluid. This range of pumps, combined with the variety of available options, allows users to specify a pump which is tailored specifically to their application. For example, high system pressure versions are available for pumping liquids in high pressure applications. Also, the pumps are available in a choice of metallurgies including stainless steel and Hastelloy, while a range of different gear materials can be specified to best suit the liquid being pumped and / or the duty parameters. Pumps can also be supplied with different porting arrangements. All models have magnet drives so the risks of process fluids leaking are eliminated ensuring that operators have the benefits of reduced environmental, health and safety and chemical handling issues. The external gear design provides the benefit of a smooth, pulse-free and highly accurate output, so the distribution of the process liquid is even and constant, as opposed to more unpredictable pulsed flows from other types of pump. The output of the pumps can be adjusted by changing the motor speed while control options depend on the motor/drive specified. These include 0-5 VDC or 4-20 mA or RS232 automatic control in addition to manual control via a potentiometer. Many of the Micropump models use an innovative internal pressure loaded suction shoe which allows the pump to self-compensate for wear and to maintain high volumetric efficiency, even at high operating pressures. Also, by reducing the number of parts needed for operation to an absolute minimum, the suction shoe design minimises downtime and simplifies servicing. Recent applications have included dosing additives to animal feed to prevent contamination and infection, transferring liquids in specialist fuel cell development prototype work and pumping for diesel exhaust fluid into exhaust gases to reduce Nitrous Oxides from diesel generators. Source: impeller.net