Transmission Oil Pumps
Transmission oil pumps are either fixed displacement or variable-displacement. Displacement is the volume of fluid moved from the pump during each cycle. A fixed-displacement pump moves the same amount of fluid with each cycle and this flow rate is dependant on engine speed. As the engine speed increases the flow rate of the pump increases.
A variable rate transmission pump changes its flow rate according to the needs of the transmission. This saves on wasted energy and horsepower. Because of this energy efficiency these vane-type pumps are found on most late model vehicles.
Vane-type: Vane type pumps use a slide located inside the pump housing to vary the size of the inlet and outlet ports according to transmissions requirements. This slide is moved against spring pressure by a small sample of the fluid output. This keeps the fluid pressure at a minimum when the needs are not as great and maximum when necessary. These are known as variable-displacement pumps.
Gear-type: The most common type of gear pump is the crescent pump. These pumps have two gears like other gear pumps but they are designed with an outer gear with internal teeth and a smaller inner gear with external teeth. As the teeth mesh they carry with them and force fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. The gap narrows as it nears the outlet port. The gears then force the pressurized fluid through the outlet port to create transmission line pressure. These pumps have strict tolerances between the gears and the housing. Excessive wear greatly reduces this pumps output and efficiency. These are known as fixed-displacement pumps.
Rotor-type: The rotor-type pump is similar to the crescent gear-type except it utilizes rotors instead of gears. The inside rotor turns the outside rotor. The gap between the rotors increases as it moves away from the inlet port and decreases as it moves closer to the outlet port. This action squeezes the fluid and creates the line pressure necessary to lubricate and hold the transmissions friction bands and clutches. These are also known as fixed-displacement pumps.
