
variable displacement pump
power system &
open centre type power systemsThe pump shown in the diagram was used in the late 60s and 70s. It may still
be used in aircraft of that era. The pump works in this manner: The accumulator
always keeps a pressure in the self-contained reservoir. Let’s say that the
hydraulic system has finished actuation. As the pressure builds up, the pressure
felt in the area around the selector valve is felt at the regulator piston. As
the pressure builds up, the fluid pressure on the regulator piston will be
higher than the spring force, causing the piston to move downward. As the piston
moves down, the yoke will pull the piston chamber in the pump down, decreasing
the pump angle and causing a decrease in the volumetric output of pump. As the
actuation starts again, the pressure decreases, making the piston move upward
(fluid pressure force being less than the spring force) and moves the yoke
upward, increasing the pump angle and the volumetric output. The relief valve to
the left of the regulator acts in same fashion as that of old systems (it opens
a path to the accumulator if the pressure in the system is higher than the
allowable range of operating pressures in the hydraulic system).

Open Centre Type Power System
Such a system has not been used in aircraft since 1945. However, since that
time, it has been used in power steering systems of cars.

This type of system was used in simple aircraft. The selector valve used in
this kind of system was an open centre selector valve which allowed fluid to
pass through the selector valve continuously, but directed fluid flow to other
flow routes by movement of the selector valve. The route the fluid took depended
upon the pilot and the task to be accomplished (for example: moving flaps, or
ailerons). When the task was complete, the pushing action of the hydraulic fluid
on the piston in the selector valve would cause the pressure to build in the
system. Therefore, it was necessary to put the selector valve in "neutral" when
the task was complete. When the selector valve is placed in neutral, the fluid
pressure is the same as the return line pressure.
Caution:
Use 1 open centre selector valve at a
time, always returning it to neutral. Never use 2 selector valves simultaneously
as you can damage the hydraulic system.

To automate the selector valve's return to the neutral position, you can use
either a pressure control sensor or a time delay (spring and adjustable
restrictor) whereby the pressure on the piston will move the piston back to the
centre.
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