Possibilities of diagnosing cavitation in hydraulic systems

Conditions of arising cavitation and experimental investigations of this phenomenon by means of a special vacuum vessel are described. A simulation model of the piston–cylinder unit of a pump with an inclinable cylinder block was used to visualize cavitation in the pump. The results of tests aimed at showing a correlation between the onset of cavitation and an audible diagnostic signal are presented. The suction space of the tested axial-flow multipiston positive-displacement pump with an inclinable cam plate was selected as the most likely place for cavitation to occur. An audible diagnostic signal indicating the onset of cavitation was also detected in the case of a multipiston pump with an inclinable cylinder block. An example of the configuration of an acoustic probe kit for use under industrial conditions is presented.