Finite difference computation of valve plate fluid film flows in axial piston machines

In this paper, a finite difference numerical method is presented for the computation of the fluid film flow between the cylinder block and port plate in axial piston machines. Grid generation and coordinates transformation techniques are applied to treat the complicated geometrical film shape. The rotational position of the cylinder block relative to the port plate is also considered in the computation for determining the instantaneous fluid film shape during machine rotation. Computed results are compared with BHRA's analogue results and Japanese test results.