A hydraulic gear pump and a hydraulic motor may look similar, but they have different designs and are not usable for the same purposes interchangeably.
A hydraulic gear pump is meant for transforming mechanical power into hydraulic power whereas the purpose of a hydraulic motor is to convert hydraulic power into mechanical power. The operation of a gear pump involves drawing fluid from a reservoir, while that one of motor involves use of pressurized fluid so as to generate rotating movement.
Hydraulic pumps and motors differ in their designs and internal components. Inlet and outlet port are contained in a hydraulic gear pump, while inlet port, outlet port, as well as drain port are present in the case of a hydraulic motor. Furthermore, internal pressure relief valve is provided by the gear pump to protect against overpressure; on its part the motor has an internal brake or valve used to control speed and direction also.
Moreover, the building of hydraulic motors and pumps differs in such a way that they are optimized to work within distinct pressure and flow ranges. Hydraulic motors are designed to work under lower pressures but with higher flow rates while pumps can be used for high pressure and low speed systems. This means that they cannot be interchanged; hence, the use of hydraulic gear pump as a motor or the reverse may result in system malfunctions.
In conclusion, it is important to note that hydraulic gear pumps and hydraulic motors have different designs and functions hence they should not be confused. It is thus crucial to choose the right component for a particular hydraulic system so as to achieve its top efficiency and avoid failure.
