US Patent 7997882 Reduced rotor assembly diameter vane pump

A vane pump with a reduced rotor diameter is provided. The reduced rotor diameter allows a reduction in the overall size of the pump which allows the pump to be used in circumstances wherein sufficient packaging volume does not exist for conventional vane pumps. Further, the reduced rotor diameter permits operation of the pump at a higher speed, in comparison to conventional vane pumps, for a given working fluid and pump rate. The rotor includes an integrally formed drive shaft and a cylindrical rotor head. Both fixed displacement and variable displacement embodiments are shown.