Gerotor Pump Simulation Modules for Enhancing Fluid Power Education

Abstract

Fluid power is one of the courses required for most engineering technology programs and thus enrolls more than 200 students annually. Studies show that fluid power modules related to hydraulic and pneumatic systems result in a relatively high W/D/F rate (Withdrawals, D and F grades), where many students struggle to connect the theory with practice. From a pedagogical perspective, this rate is due to the traditional laboratory syllabus that is insufficient to address the complexity of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. This work aims to enhance fluid power education by conducting a research study for testing and examining the efficacy of integrating state-of-the-art simulation courseware into the laboratory work of fluid power courses. For conducting the study, interfaceable Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modules of a hydraulic Gerotor pump are developed and incorporated into the laboratory syllabus of the MET:23000 Fluid Power course at Purdue University. The CFD simulation modules were designed and implemented in the labs in collaboration with Simerics. A survey was designed and conducted with 93 students to measure their perceived learning of fluid power concepts and examine their attitudes toward the CFD simulation used for instruction. The survey outcomes revealed that the executed CFD simulation assisted the students in understanding the overall operation of the Gerotor pump. The results show that the simulation courseware supported students in acquiring the fundamentals of fluid power, which could assist them in conducting future engineering decisions. Besides the conceptual understanding, students were engaged in the lab modules. They enjoyed visualizing the variation in pressure contours, velocity vectors, and cavitation bubbles.