In its most basic form, a rotary vane vacuum pump is a pump technology that allows air to be compressed inside the pump chamber to create suction. This suction removes air molecules from a vessel or area. Rotary vane vacuum pumps operate based on the positive displacement pumping theory. They are designed with a rotor positioned inside a cylindrical housing or stator. Due to centrifugal force, blades positioned inside the rotor rotate in and out while adhering to the interior surface of the housing. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
DEKKER Vacuum Technologies, Inc.
Michigan City, IN | 888-925-5444As an industry leader with over 50 years of experience providing the best vacuum pump solution for customers, DEKKER is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company that delivers superior products & service. Our custom engineered systems meet even the most demanding applications, from aeronautical to waste water & everything in between. Call DEKKER today with any questions or check out our helpful website!

Vacuum Research Corporation
Pittsburgh | 412-261-7630Vacuum Research Corporation is a leading manufacturer of high-quality rotary vane vacuum pumps, high vacuum valves and high vacuum gauges. Vacuum Research Corporation provides quality products to meet and exceed all of your needs.

Pfeiffer Vacuum, Inc.
Nashua, NH | 800-248-8254Today’s superior cutting edge vacuum pump products, offering reliability and high performance. Pfeiffer Vacuum is an intentional manufacturer and leading innovator of the Turbopump for high to ultra-high vacuum range. Plus, Rotary Vane Pumps, Dry Pumps, Roots pumps, Screw Pumps, Leak Detectors and more. Contact us for the best products and support available.

Duniway Stockroom Corp.
Fremont, CA | 650-969-8811Since 1976, Duniway Stockroom Corporation has offered new and used vacuum equipment. We provide hardware, valves, ion pumps, diffusion pumps, mechanical pumps, turbo pumps, vacuums sensors, gauge controls, supplies and more. We offer rebuilding services and superior customer service. For more information, check our website today!

Edson International, Pump Division
New Bedford, MA | 508-995-9711Edson offers innovative vacuum pump systems for the collection and transfer of liquids and liquids with suspended solids for marine, industrial, municipal and wastewater applications. Our products include diaphragm vacuum pumps, industrial vacuum pumps, heavy-duty vacuum pumps and much more.


Design of Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump
Rotary vane vacuum pumps function using positive displacement. This means they create a vacuum and continuously evacuate chambers without needing to expand indefinitely by cutting off, exhausting, and re-expanding one of their sections. Positive displacement rotary vane pumps can also be built as dry or oil-sealed pumps. Dry pumps don't use any liquid to function.
Dry pumps rely on internal dimensional accuracy to create a vacuum, while wet pumps use fluid to form a seal. Oil-sealed pumps are wet pumps that specifically use oil to form a seal. Furthermore, a direct drive is used to construct many rotary vane vacuum pumps. Each rotary vane vacuum pump is constructed utilizing the same fundamental parts.
Depending on the design, size, or model, there will be modifications to the components. However, the below parts are typical of oil-lubricated and dry-running pumps.
Rotor: The pump’s rotor is usually wound with copper. The rotor rotates in this electrical engine and needs energy. The spiral layout's stationary element is called the stator. It encircles the internal surfaces of the motor housing and carries electrical current.

Vanes and Blades: The vanes are large blades affixed to a revolving axis or wheel. The vanes form a seal with the wall of the pumping chamber to stop fluid from flowing back across the pump.
Oil Sump: The oil sump stores the engine oil needed for sealing. An oil pump will send oil out of the sump, through the oil filter, and into the engine block's oil channels. The sealing points are then used to restore the oil to the oil sump.
Suction Flange: A suction tube is attached to a hydraulic tank using suction flanges. They create a seal to stop fluid leaks and pollution from getting into the tank. The suction element is also made possible via flanges without draining the tank.
Cylindrical Housing: The housing covering the pump’s exterior is usually made of aluminum die-casting. The compressor is housed inside.
Motor: A device that transforms electrical energy (AC or DC) into mechanical energy is an electric motor. The motor's magnetic field and the electric current flowing through a wire winding interact to produce the torque applied to the motor shaft.
Float Valve: A float detects changes in elevation on an oil-free surface and reacts by opening or closing a valve.

Applications of Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps
Oil-Lubricated Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump Applications
- These pumps are used in chemical and pharmaceutical processes, including degassing, crystallization, drying, distillation, evaporation, supercooling, fractionation, impregnation, vacuum coating (sublimation), and vacuum filtering.
- Centralized vacuum systems are used in the food & beverage packaging sector in bottling and filling machinery.
- Examples of industrial applications include vacuum hold-down, dust extraction systems, drying systems, and industrial furnaces.
- Oil-lubricated vane pumps are used in pneumatic transport
Dry Running Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump Applications
- Aeration in environmental engineering.
- Industrial applications include picking and placing and lifting and holding.
- Machines used in the packaging sector.
- Dry-running rotary vane vacuum pumps may be used in post-press and printing presses in the printing business.
- Industry of woodworking - vacuum hold down.
Advantages of Rotary Vacuum Pumps
One of the most common vacuum pumps is the rotary vane vacuum pump. In actuality, most vacuum pumps use rotating vanes, paddles, blades, or impellers to move shuttle gas into and out of an enclosure. Therefore, any vacuum pump using any of these parts is a rotary vacuum pump.