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How can the pumping rate of a piston pump be changed?
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pump
Figure 1: External gear pump
The overall pumping rate of a piston pump can be adjusted by modifying one of two primary operational factors:
- Reciprocating speed: Changing the speed at which the piston rod moves back and forth.1
- Stroke length: Adjusting the distance the piston travels during each cycle.1
These adjustments allow for control over the volume of fluid displaced per unit of time. The piston itself may be driven by various methods, such as compressed air, steam, hydraulic oil, or through a mechanical linkage that converts rotary motion into the necessary reciprocating motion.1