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DRYVTECH
2x2x2 PUMP
Basics : Engine : Pump : Motors : Braking : Steering : Chassis The main pump is nestled in behind the magneto cover. A smaller boost pump can be seen on the RHS - this makes up the internal leakage that all piston pumps experience. The main pump is a bent-axis type, these are an engineering marvel in their own right- probably the most intricate piece of mechanical design in any field outside scientific instruments. Here is a link to a website with a reasonable description of how they work and some pictures but I'll try to explain it better.
Piston style hydraulic pumps and motors are made to an extremely high
standard of precision- the pistons have no seals at all and run metal-to-metal,
with an operating pressure of 4500psi (32 MPa) you can imagine how fine
the tolerances must be. These pumps are extremely expensive even
compared to the normal prices associated with hydraulics. I bought the
2x2x2's pump from an aircraft wrecker who had it underneath a bench covered
in filth. Luckily all the plugs were in place and I parted with $40
for it in 1984 (I was still at university and $40 was a lot of money!).
My luck continued as I got a friend in the Airforce to check the serial
numbers and it turned out to be brand new- only ever used as a spare part-
out of a Sabre jet fighter in which it was used for the landing gear and
air brakes. I was working part time for a Vickers agent and, low
and behold- spares were still available. I priced a reconditioning kit
for it just out of interest- $18,500! The drive shaft is a 30 mm
long titanium number and a bargain at $3,200 (1984 prices)!
Basics : Engine : Pump : Motors : Braking : Steering : Chassis |