Why Do Checkball Pumps Perform Better?

Checkball piston pumps provide an advantage when operating with special fluids, including a variety of water-based fluids. This pump design uses two check valves in each piston pumping chamber to direct flow from the inlet side of the pump to the pump outlet port.

Single Fluid Design Prevents Cross Contamination

The piston check valves take the place of a valveplate, commonly used in other pump designs. The metal-to-metal rotating sealing surface in other pumps is an inherent leakage path, subject to wear when operating with lower-lubricity and other special fluids.

Checkball pumps are single fluid pumps with bearing lubrication provided by the pumped fluid. This eliminates the potential for cross contamination, possible in other pump designs with isolated bearing lubrication. This design also eliminates the need for a separate lubrication circuit or regular maintenance of the lubricating oil.

Improved Performance with Low-Viscosity Fluids

The positive-seating action of the check valves provides better wear and greater volumetric efficiency, especially with lower-viscosity fluids and higher pressures.

The check valves also isolate the pistons from system pressure during startup, allowing the piston shoes to establish an oil film before pressure is generated. This is especially beneficial when pumping low-viscosity fluids. The result is lower starting torque, for longer bearing life.