Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a cylinder barrel configured to rotate within a pump housing of a pump operatively connected to a driving member of the pump via a first shaft. A piston is seated within a bore defined in the cylinder barrel. The piston is operatively connected to the driving member of the pump via a second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft each include a ball end configured to seat within the driving member. In embodiments, the ball end of at least the second shaft is of silicon nitride.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a pump system for an aircraft includes, a cylinder barrel configured to rotate within a pump housing of a pump, and a plurality of pistons seated within a respective bore defined in the cylinder barrel. Each piston further includes a piston ring disposed at an end thereof configured to form a hydrodynamic seal with an inner surface of the respective bore. Each respective piston ring is of silicon nitride. In embodiments, the piston ring can include a chamfer on at least a leading edge of the piston ring. In embodiments, the piston ring can include a cut therethrough configured to allow for thermal expansion of the piston ring.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a cylinder barrel configured to rotate within a pump housing of a pump operatively connected to a driving member of the pump via a first shaft. A piston is seated within a bore defined in the cylinder barrel. The piston is operatively connected to the driving member of the pump via a second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft each include a ball end configured to seat within the driving member. In embodiments, the ball end of at least the second shaft is of silicon nitride.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system comprises, a cylinder barrel configured to rotate within a pump housing. In embodiments, the cylinder barrel includes a main cylindrical body, a center recess defined within the main cylindrical body configured to seat a drive shaft therein, and a plurality of bores defined in the main cylindrical body, extending in an axial direction, wherein the plurality of bores are spaced apart circumferentially relative to one another about the main cylindrical body radially outward of the center recess. Each of the plurality of bores are configured to seat a respective piston therein and allow fluid flow therethrough. In embodiments, the main cylindrical body is of silicon nitride.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump system can include a piston sleeve having at least a first inner diameter portion and a second in inner diameter portion and an actuator piston configured to be disposed within the piston sleeve. The actuator piston can have a first piston portion having a first outer diameter, and a second piston portion having a second outer diameter. The first outer diameter can be different than the second outer diameter. The first piston portion can be configured to seal to the first inner diameter portion of the piston sleeve. The second piston portion of the actuator piston can be configured to seal to the second inner diameter portion of the piston sleeve.

Abstract: A gear pump includes gears received within a housing defining an inlet, an outlet and end plates. The gears have shaft portions on each of two sides of each of the two gears. The shaft portions are mounted in journal bearings. The journal bearings each have a gear side face adjacent one of the two gears. A remote face is on a remote side of the journal bearing remote from each of the two gears. There is a plurality of heat pipes in at least one of the journal bearings. The heat pipes move heat from the gear face of the at least one of the journal bearings to the remote face. The plurality of heat pipes is enclosed by the housing, and extend generally in an axial direction from an end adjacent the gear face to an end adjacent the remote face. A fuel supply system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stacked gerotor pump is provided. The stacked gerotor pump includes a first gerotor pump defining a first inlet section and a first outlet section, a second gerotor pump defining a second inlet section and a second outlet section and a plate. The plate is interposed between the first and second gerotor pumps and defines upstream cavities respectively communicative with the first and second inlet sections, downstream cavities respectively communicative with the first and second outlet sections and a pre-pressurization hole by which the second outlet section is communicative with the first inlet section.

Abstract: A stacked gerotor pump is provided. The stacked gerotor pump includes a first gerotor pump defining a first inlet section and a first outlet section, a second gerotor pump defining a second inlet section and a second outlet section and a plate. The plate is interposed between the first and second gerotor pumps and defines upstream cavities respectively communicative with the first and second inlet sections, downstream cavities respectively communicative with the first and second outlet sections and a pre-pressurization hole by which the second outlet section is communicative with the first inlet section.

Abstract: A gear pump includes gears received within a housing defining an inlet, an outlet and end plates. The gears have shaft portions on each of two sides of each of the two gears. The shaft portions are mounted in journal bearings. The journal bearings each have a gear side face adjacent one of the two gears. A remote face is on a remote side of the journal bearing remote from each of the two gears. There is a plurality of heat pipes in at least one of the journal bearings. The heat pipes move heat from the gear face of the at least one of the journal bearings to the remote face. The plurality of heat pipes is enclosed by the housing, and extend generally in an axial direction from an end adjacent the gear face to an end adjacent the remote face. A fuel supply system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a continuously variable drive assembly having a driving portion operatively associated with a gearbox of the gas turbine and a driven portion operatively associated with a fuel pump of the gas turbine, and a governor for controlling a drive ratio of the drive assembly to vary fuel pump flow performance over a range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A gear pump could be said to include a first gear and a second gear intermeshed with the first gear. An inlet side is configured to have an inlet connection connected thereto. A discharge side is configured to have a first discharge connection connected thereto. At least one shaft is in operable communication with each of the first and second gears. A bearing is configured to support at least one of the shafts via an inner bore and having an outer peripheral surface. A valve bore is formed into bearing between the inner bore and the outer peripheral surface. A second discharge connection is formed into the bearing. A tap provides fluidic communication between the valve bore and a pad defined in the inner bore. A valve is positioned in the valve bore. The valve includes a moving valve member. A spring biases the moving valve member in a direction toward the second discharge connection. A fuel pump system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pump bearing for use in a gear pump including a top face, a side face perimetrically surrounding the top face, a bottom face opposed to the top face, a first bearing bore projecting from the top face to the bottom face defining an axis and configured to contain a drive-side shaft, and a groove within the side face located between the top face and the bottom face a variable depth in a direction perpendicular to the axis configured to a receive seal.

Abstract: A pump bearing for use in a gear pump including a top face, a side face perimetrically surrounding the top face, a bottom face opposed to the top face, a first bearing bore projecting from the top face to the bottom face defining an axis and configured to contain a drive-side shaft, and a groove within the side face located between the top face and the bottom face a variable depth in a direction perpendicular to the axis configured to a receive seal.

Abstract: A pump bearing including a top face, a side face peripherally surrounding the top face, a bottom face opposed to the top face, a first bearing bore projecting from the top face to the bottom face, an edge defined where the top face meets the side face, and an asymmetric pressure balance groove defined within a portion of the edge of the top face and the side face defining first depth from the top face.

Abstract: A pump bearing including a top face, a side face peripherally surrounding the top face, a bottom face opposed to the top face, a first bearing bore projecting from the top face to the bottom face, an edge defined where the top face meets the side face, and an asymmetric pressure balance groove defined within a portion of the edge of the top face and the side face defining first depth from the top face.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a continuously variable drive assembly having a driving portion operatively associated with a gearbox of the gas turbine and a driven portion operatively associated with a fuel pump of the gas turbine, and a governor for controlling a drive ratio of the drive assembly to vary fuel pump flow performance over a range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A gear pump could be said to include a first gear and a second gear intermeshed with the first gear. An inlet side is configured to have an inlet connection connected thereto. A discharge side is configured to have a first discharge connection connected thereto. At least one shaft is in operable communication with each of the first and second gears. A bearing is configured to support at least one of the shafts via an inner bore and having an outer peripheral surface. A valve bore is formed into bearing between the inner bore and the outer peripheral surface. A second discharge connection is formed into the bearing. A tap provides fluidic communication between the valve bore and a pad defined in the inner bore. A valve is positioned in the valve bore. The valve includes a moving valve member. A spring biases the moving valve member in a direction toward the second discharge connection. A fuel pump system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying an existing valve assembly has the step of placing a supplemental sleeve within a housing. The housing has a housing inlet window and a housing outlet window, and the supplemental sleeve has a sleeve inlet window and a sleeve outlet window. The method includes the step of placing an existing piston/sleeve set within the supplemental sleeve. A spool valve is also disclosed.