Gear Pump

A gear pump is a kind of rotary positive-displacement pump that uses the motion of interlocking gears to move fluid. As the gears turn and disengage on the inlet side, they create a space that draws liquid in; the liquid is then carried around the gears’ outer edges and forced out the discharge side as the gear teeth come back together.

1. What is a gear pump?
A gear pump is a rotary positive-displacement pump where fluid is moved by the action of two or more gears that mesh and unmesh, carrying liquid between their teeth as they rotate.

2. How does a gear pump work?
The pumping action happens as the gears separate at the inlet (creating a low-pressure area that draws fluid in) and then transport that fluid around the gear housing. When the gears mesh on the discharge side, the fluid is squeezed out of the pump.

3. What types of gear pumps are there?
Common gear pump variations include external gear pumps, where two external gears mesh, internal gear pumps, where an inner and outer gear work together, and gerotor pumps, which use an inner and outer rotor with different tooth counts.

4. What are typical uses of gear pumps?
Gear pumps are widely used in systems requiring steady flow of liquids, especially viscous or high-pressure fluids, such as hydraulic power units, lubrication systems, chemical transfer, and industrial process applications.