# Types of Hydraulic Pumps and How They Work

- Link: https://studyelectrical.com/2022/08/types-of-hydraulic-pumps-and-how-they-work.html
- Published: 2022-08-29T06:01:16+00:00
- Author: Tesla

Hydraulic pumps are mechanically driven and use a rotating output shaft to deliver
pressure. We use them in various industrial, commercial, and agricultural applications.

## Types of Hydraulic Pumps

There are many types of hydraulic pumps. Most common include gear pumps, screw pumps,
rotary vane, and piston pumps. These pumps can be further classified by the type
of fluid they transport (oil, water, or air) and whether they’re positive or variable
displacement in nature.

### 1. Gear Pumps

![gear pump](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/gear-pump.jpg)

Gear Pump

Gear pumps are the most common type of hydraulic pump. They use gears to transfer
energy from one shaft to another. The direction of rotation is changed by changing
the direction of the gear train. Gear pumps can be built with either spur gears 
or helical gears.

A typical gear pump consists of a housing containing two input shafts, one output
shaft, and two gear trains (one between each shaft). The input shafts rotate at 
different speeds to produce a rotating output shaft. The gear trains are typically
fixed-ratio gears; however, variable-speed gearing has been developed for some applications
where this may be advantageous.

Because gear pumps require relatively few parts and are easy to manufacture, they
were used for many years as the principal means of delivering hydraulic fluid under
pressure.

### 2. Rotary Vane

![Rotary Vane Pump](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rotary_vane_pump.
png)

Rotary Vane Pump

Rotary vane pumps use a series of vanes to move oil from one end of the pump to 
another. This type of pump is often used for high-pressure applications because 
it has a high-pressure ratio and can handle a wide range of viscosities.

Rotary vane pumps are sometimes called rotary screw pumps because they use a screw-
like shape to move oil through the pump. They have two major components: an outer
casing and an inner casing. The inner casing contains multiple blades arranged around
a central shaft, while the outer casing contains ports that allow oil to flow into
the center of the pump and then out again.

![Rotary vane pump construction](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/uploads/
2022/08/Rotory-vane-pump-construction.jpg)

Rotary vane pump construction

As this shaft turns, it moves these blades back and forth, causing them to rotate
inside the outer casing’s ports. This, in turn, creates pressure within the chamber
between each blade as it passes through its port, pushing oil through them until
it reaches the other side of the chamber, where it exits through another port located
at another location on the outer casing’s wall.

### 3. Piston Pumps

![piston pump](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hydraulic-
piston-pump.png)

Piston pump

Piston pumps use fluid pressure to transfer energy from one place to another. The
pressure required to start the pump and move fluid through it is called “prime.”
The amount needed to stop the pump and hold it stationary is called “sustenance.”

The piston, or plunger, moves back and forth inside a cylinder to create pressure.
Piston pumps work by compressing or expanding the volume of liquid inside the cylinder.
As the piston moves up, it pushes down on the liquid inside and creates pressure.
When it moves down, it draws in more liquid from below and expands the volume inside.
This drives fluid out through an outlet port at the bottom of each stroke.

Pumps can be single-acting or double-acting; single-acting pumps use one side of
the cylinder for suction and one side for discharge; double-acting pumps use both
sides simultaneously for suction and discharge.

### 4. Screw Pumps

![Screw pump parts](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screw-
pump-parts.jpg)

Screw pump parts

Screw pumps are the most common type of fluid pump. They are named for the way they
move fluids. The pump has a long shaft with helical grooves cut into it. A rotating
rod is attached to one end of the shaft. The liquid being pumped moves into these
grooves and is pushed up by the centrifugal force as an electric motor or engine
rotates the shaft.

Screw pumps are classified into two categories: single-stage and multi-stage. The
main difference between these two types is that single-stage screw pumps have only
one pumping chamber while multi-stage screw pumps have multiple ones.

#### i) Single Stage Screw Pump

 A single-stage screw pump has only one pumping chamber, which can be either vertical
or horizontal, depending on the application requirements. These pumps use a rotating
helical shaft that moves up and down inside an enclosed tube called a cylinder or
casing. The fluid enters at one end of the cylinder through an inlet port and exits
out at another through an outlet port opposite to it after passing through all chambers
along its path during rotation.

#### ii) Multi-stage Screw Pumps:

These pumps consist of multiple rotating threads that increase pressure within the
system being operated by the pump. They are typically more expensive than single-
stage screw pumps because they have more moving parts and require more maintenance
than single-stage screw pumps; however, they can achieve higher pressures with less
energy consumption due to their increased complexity.

A hydraulic pump is a necessary part of any hydraulic system. Without a pump, converting
the energy from an electric motor into hydraulic power wouldn’t be possible. Pumps
have some exceptional properties and are more efficient than any other method. Therefore,
get your [hydraulic dosing pumps in Saudia Arab](https://www.ejawda.com/en/hydraulics-pneumatics/pumps/dosing-pumps/)
from Ejawda,

### Related posts:

 [ ⌊A detailed technical infographic illustrating percentage impedance in a transformer. The left side features a bold title: "PERCENTAGE IMPEDANCE OF TRANSFORMER AND ITS CALCULATION." The right side shows a 3D isometric illustration of a power transformer with cooling fins, bushings, and internal windings, labeled "Primary (HV)" and "Secondary (LV)." Above the transformer, two calculation boxes display the formulas Z% = (Vsc / Vrated) * 100 and Z = V / Isc. Below the transformer is a detailed circuit schematic for a "Transformer under test" showing a voltage source, ammeter, voltmeters, and shorted output. The background consists of a teal blueprint schematic, power line towers, and various electrical symbols. The StudyElectrical.com logo is in the bottom right corner.⌉Percentage Impedance of Transformer and Its Calculation](https://studyelectrical.com/2018/05/percentage-impedance-of-transformer-and.html)
[ ⌊Featured image for StudyElectrical.com article explaining why transformers are rated in kVA not kW. The technical illustration shows a dynamic central transformer labeled 'RATED IN kVA' glowing with electric blue and gold energy, flanked by icons representing a resistive heater load (cosφ = 1.0) and an inductive motor load (cosφ = 0.8). Swirling equations and circuit diagrams surround the unit. The StudyElectrical logo is in the bottom corner.⌉Why Transformers are Rated in kVA, Not in kW? (With Proof)](https://studyelectrical.com/2014/08/why-transformers-are-rated-in-kva-not-in-kw.html)
[ ⌊What is an amplidyne⌉Amplidyne – Working and Application](https://studyelectrical.com/2019/09/amplidyne-working-application.html)
[ ⌊Electrical Engineering Basics - The ultimate guide⌉Electrical Engineering Basics: The Ultimate Guide](https://studyelectrical.com/2019/10/electrical-engineering-basics.html)
[ ⌊Electrical Conductivity Meter⌉What’s The Advantage Of Eddy Current Testing](https://studyelectrical.com/2022/07/advantage-of-eddy-current-testing.html)
[ ⌊transformer-winding⌉Transformer Windings: Types and Design](https://studyelectrical.com/2022/11/transformer-windings-types-and-design.html)
[ ⌊Critical field resistance⌉Critical Field Resistance of DC Shunt Generators](https://studyelectrical.com/2023/07/critical-field-resistance-dc-shunt-generators.html)
[ ⌊magnetomotive force mmf⌉Magnetomotive Force (MMF) and Ampere-Turns with Solved Problems](https://studyelectrical.com/2024/03/magnetomotive-force-ampere-turns.html)
[ ⌊Advantages and Disadvantages of Transformers⌉Advantages and Disadvantages of Transformers](https://studyelectrical.com/2025/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-transformers.html)
[ ⌊Delta delta connection⌉Delta-Delta (Δ–Δ) Transformer Connection: Advantages, Working, and Application](https://studyelectrical.com/2025/07/delta-delta-%ce%b4-%ce%b4-transformer-connection-advantages-working-and-application.html)
