What is a Vacuum Pump? | How does an Electric Hydraulic Pump Work?

What Is Vacuum Pump?

As the name of the vacuum pump represents that it  is a mechanically operated machine used to generate a vacuum. It does this by removing air and gas from the system and creates a safe environment for fluids to move or transport safely. A vacuum pump is also known as a suction pump. However, it can also be used to move or transport gas.

The electric vacuum pump are also available in the market. It is a famous type of electric pump.

electric vacuum pump

An electric vacuum pump is a pump that is driven by an electrical motor. This electric motor drives with the help of electricity that is provided by a switch via electric cords.

These pumps have a wide variety of applications in the home and various industries. Such as, vacuum pumps are available in:

  • Air conditioning systems
  • Aircrafts
  • Cars
  • Washing machines
  • Irrigation and flood protection

If you want to transfer fluids from one location to another safely, a vacuum pump will be most effective in that case.

Electric vacuum pumps ensure the reliable process of the brake booster. In addition to IC engines, modern engine technologies, such as those found in hybrid and electric cars, cannot generate a vacuum pressure. Therefore, an electric vacuum pump is required to create alternatives or additional vacuums for these systems.

How does an Electric Vacuum Pump Work?

An electric vacuum pump produces various pressure levels in the “high” and “low” spaces of the equipment. It expels air in a closed system due to the mechanical force of the rotating shaft which further converts into air pressure.

The level of internal force in the retention volume is lower than the level in the external environment. As the particles naturally flow from the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area, the “high pressure” space evacuates and creates a suction that produces a vacuum.

The energy generated depends mainly on the amount of gas. Otherwise, there is no pressure difference between the air and the atmosphere inside and outside.

For a better understanding of the vacuum pump working, watch the following video:

Types of Vacuum Pump

There are different types of vacuum pumps that work in different ways. A vacuum pump that following the most famous types:

1) Entrapment Pump

Sometimes called a capture pump or trapping pump. In the case of confined space, this pump uses refrigeration to cool the air, thereby generates condensation. Then you can get rid of the liquid. Another type of this pump called an ion pump, uses an electric field to cause condensation.

2) Diaphragm Pump

Main article: Diaphragm Pump

Diaphragm pumps are very accurate and very popular in the industry. They use a pair of mechanical diaphragms that move back and forth to increase or decrease the pressure. The valve stops the liquid from leaking.

3) Momentum Transfer Pump

This creates a low-pressure area by using a spinning device to move gas or air from the intake to the outlet. Then the vacuum seals by the valve. This vacuum pump is also called a kinetic pump.

4) Positive displacement pump

Main article: Positive displacement pump

It has two several cavities; one cavity has a larger area than the other. It has suction power and shows steady flow power.

These designs offer great flexibility for vacuum pumps and are well suited for use in various environments and situations.

How to use a Vacuum Pump

I. Setting up your vacuum pump

II. Fill the pump with a vacuum oil

𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐢𝐥

III. Attache your gauges to the port

𝐠𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐬 with t𝐡𝐞 vacuum pump 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬

IV. Open your manifold valves

𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬

V. Pulling the vacuum 

VI. Start your pump

S𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 the vacuum p𝐮𝐦𝐩

VII. Open the side gauge valve

𝐠𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞

VIII. Allow the vacuum to run for 15-30 minutes

Allow 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟓-𝟑𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬

IX. Closing your vacuum

X. Close the low side valve and let the vacuum hold for 15 minutes

XI. Shut off the vacuum pump

𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 process of 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩

XII. Disconnect your vacuum 

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦

Applications of Electric Vacuum Pump

  • Electric vacuum pumps ensure reliable operation of the brake booster.
  • In addition to IC engines, the latest engine technologies like engines of hybrid and electric automobiles cannot set vacuum pressure. Therefore, an electric vacuum pump requires creating additional or alternatives vacuum cleaners for these systems.
  • An additional vacuum pump makes sure obedience with the modern safety standards and at the same time ensures reliable working of the brake system operated by the pneumatic brake boost.
  • These pumps use in the aeroplane.
  • These pumps also use in rear doors, tipping tanks, and power jets.

Advantages of Electric Vacuum Pump

  • The electric vacuum pump supports the flexible automobile platform concept
  • Maintenance-free (no connection of the oil circuit when idling, self-lubricating)
  • An electric vacuum pump reduces the emissions of carbon dioxide
  • Reduce energy needs by running the pumps on demand.
  • Supports all types of engines, including electric and hybrid automobiles
  • Independent on the technology of the combustion engine

What Is an Electric Hydraulic Pump?

Hydraulic pumps are used in hydraulic drive techniques and can be used in the hydrodynamic or hydrostatic form. An electric hydraulic pump is a mechanical device that changes mechanical energy into hydraulic power (hydrostatic power, such as pressure, flow). The flow generated is sufficient to overcome the pressure caused due to the load at the pump’s outlet. An electric motor drives the electric hydraulic pump.

As the pump starts working, a vacuum is created at the inlet of the pump. The liquid pushes from the reservoir to the pump inlet. The liquid is mechanically transported to the outlet of the pump and pushes it into the hydraulic system.

The hydraulic pump pushes the liquid out. At this point, the liquid (it can be treated as a solid) transports by the machine, pushing the actuators to ultimately moving the load. Various types of hydraulic pumps work according to Pascal’s law.

Electric Hydraulic Pump working 

An electric hydraulic pump generates a flow in the hydraulic system. It is often misunderstood that the pump produces pressure in a system, but the pressure generally produces through the product of the flow rates (mostly measured in gallons/minute). This pump only creates flow. The speed and size of the pump determine how much liquid can flow.

An electric hydraulic pump works according to the displacement principle.

electric hydraulic pump working

The suction and discharge part of a hydraulic pump contains various check valves. The inlet check valve pushes the liquid from the reservoir/tank inside the pump, and the outlet check valve pumps the liquid into the rest of the system. The resulting vacuum pushes the liquid towards the inlet of the pump. An electric motor or gasoline engine uses as the main motor to turn the shaft. The runner blades on the shaft and the surrounding liquid rotate when the shaft moves.

When you pull on the piston, a vacuum produces in the cylinder. The resulting vacuum opens the inlet valve and closes the outlet valve. Liquid from the reservoir or storage tank enters in the pump and partially fills the cylinder. As the piston is depressed, the liquid particles move closer together, and the inlet valve closes. This opens the outlet valve and allows liquid to flow through this valve.

Hydraulic pumps are described by drive speed, energy consumption, flow, delivery pressure at the outlet, and pump efficiency. It hasn’t 100% efficiency.

For a better understanding working of hydraulic pump, watch the following video:

FAQ Section

What Are the Differences Between an Air Compressor and a Vacuum Pump?

Air compressors and vacuum pumps are very similar devices and often perform the same tasks. The main difference between the two is the operation of the air compressor and the vacuum pump. Both these have different efficiencies. However, the significant difference between vacuum pumps and air compressors are given below.

1. Vacuum Strength:
The strength of a vacuum pump measures by using the absolute outlet pressure. The lower the number, the higher the pump output. On the other hand, compressor strength measures by its capability to create high compression demands on the fluid.
2. Capacity:
Air compressors use to store compressed air, so various models have various volumes. On the other hand, vacuum pumps do not require any storage capacity, as they only transfer gases and liquids from one place to another.

3. Power Consumption:
Vacuum pumps generally use less energy compared to air compressors. It means that vacuum pumps can be considered more effective. But, any type of pump or compressor is suitable for various applications and depends on the pump or compressor use.
4. Flow Rate:
The vacuum pump flow rate varies according to the pressure through the pump. In comparison, the flow rate of an air compressor varies on its ability to reduce volume.

See More:

  1. How does an Electric Pump work?
  2. How does an Electric Air Pump work?
  3. What are the types of Pumps?

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