The Unsteady, Dynamic Characterization of Hydraulic Systems with Emphasis on Cavitation and Turbomachines

The ability to analyze and model the unsteady, dynamic response of hydraulic systems has arisen from the need for operational stability, flexibility and controlled transient behavior. Following a general discussion, this paper discusses experiments and analysis directed toward identification of the dynamic response of hydraulic pumps, both cavitating and non-cavitating. It is shown that rather modest amounts of cavitation cause the pump to become dynamically active and therefore capable of exciting instabilities and resonance with the hydraulic system.