Ventilation Blower Impeller Geometry for Low-Noise Pressure Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient ventilation or breathing devices for respiratory disorders like Obstructive Sleep Apnea suffer from noise emission, slow response times, high weight, large dimensions, complex structure, and high power consumption, making them inefficient and difficult to manufacture, assemble, and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A blower design with a split air outlet and a blade that reduces noise emission while maintaining airflow efficiency, combined with an impeller of low inertia and a modular ventilation device structure for easy assembly and maintenance, allowing flexible operation and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the impeller is rotated faster to generate higher pressure, then the pressure output is improved, but the noise emission increases and the blower lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the impeller blades, specifically the blade angle and curvature, to optimize the airflow characteristics. This allows the blower to achieve the required pressure output at lower rotational speeds, thereby reducing noise emission and extending blower lifetime while maintaining effective therapy delivery
2Stress or pressure
If the impeller is rotated faster to generate higher pressure, then the pressure output is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optimized impeller blade geometry reduces the rotational speed required to achieve target pressure levels. By changing the blade angle and curvature parameters, the system maintains effective pressure output for CPAP and BiPAP therapy while operating at lower power consumption, enabling flexible use with battery packs for mobile applications
3Loss of time
If the response time is improved for fast reaction to patient parameters, then the therapy effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable speed control system that dynamically adjusts the impeller rotational speed based on real-time patient parameters such as airflow resistance and pressure requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability provides fast response times for changing therapy conditions while using a relatively simple control mechanism that does not significantly increase device complexity
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the blower effectiveness is improved to reduce rotational speed, then the noise emission is reduced, but the device dimensions may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the impeller blade geometry parameters including blade angle, curvature, and spacing to maximize airflow efficiency. This allows the use of a compact impeller design that achieves the required pressure output at low rotational speeds, thereby reducing noise emission while maintaining small device dimensions suitable for portable ventilation systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a quiet, efficient, and reliable ventilation system with improved response times and reduced power consumption, enabling effective treatment of respiratory disorders with enhanced mobility and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the impeller imparts kinetic energy to the air. The rotation imparted by the impeller generally directs the airflow in a tangential direction T.
Implementation Method 2
The stationary part redirects the air expelled from the impeller into an enclosed outlet passage. During this redirection, resistance is encountered to flow because of the pressure generated by downstream resistance or a downstream pressure source. As the flow is slowed against this resistance, a portion of the kinetic energy is converted to potential energy in the form of pressure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a blower for providing a supply of breathable gas at positive pressure comprising a breathable gas inlet and a breathable gas outlet. The blower comprises further a rotating portion comprising a shaft and an impeller configured to accelerate the breathable gas entering the blower at the breathable gas inlet and a stationary portion. The impeller comprises a shroud having a substantially wavy or tooth shaped outer circumference, wherein an outer diameter of the shroud varies between a maximum outer dimeter and a minimum outer diameter and a plurality of vanes extending from the shroud, wherein, vis-à-vis the vanes, the shroud is located further distanced from the breathable gas inlet. A maximum outer diameter of the shroud is reached in a vicinity of or adjacent radially outside tips of the vanes while a minimum outer diameter is reached between two adjacent vanes, wherein the vanes are radially arranged and extend from an inner diameter to an outer diameter. Furthermore, the vanes are curved from an intermediate diameter towards their end at the outer diameter, the curvature of the vanes being positive, i.e., towards a direction of rotation.