Rotating Converging Hub Impeller Diffuser Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal-wheel pumps are complex and expensive due to the complexity of producing diffusers with fixed blades and bearings, which increases the cost and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
A suction stage design where the diffuser blades have free ends that converge axially to meet the hub's downstream surface, eliminating the need for a collar and bearing, simplifying production and improving compactness by directing fluid closer to the axis of rotation, thus reducing the centrifugal wheel's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the diffuser blades are fixed with a collar and bearing, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the collar and bearing components from the diffuser assembly, extracting unnecessary parts that provided structural stability through alternative means. The diffuser blades are directly fixed to the housing without requiring a collar, and the bearing is eliminated by using a bearingless design where the impeller hub directly supports the rotational shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (collar, bearing, diffuser housing) into a more integrated structure. The diffuser blades are directly attached to the housing, combining the support and guidance functions into a unified assembly that reduces overall complexity while maintaining stability.
2Ease of operation
If the collar and bearing are used in the diffuser, then the rotational guidance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bearing component from the rotational guidance system, eliminating the need for expensive bearing assemblies. The impeller hub directly supports the rotational shaft, providing rotational guidance through a simpler, more cost-effective structure that reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Strength
If the diffuser has a collar surrounding the rotating shaft, then the structural integrity is improved, but the production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the collar component that required precise fitting and assembly, thereby reducing production time. The diffuser blades are directly fixed to the housing without the intermediate collar step, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production time while maintaining structural integrity through alternative design features.
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 design simplifies production, reduces costs, and enhances reliability by eliminating unnecessary parts while improving the pump's compactness and efficiency by directing fluid closer to the axis of rotation, allowing for a smaller centrifugal wheel diameter.
Implementation Method 1
the hub has a downstream surface extending axially so as to converge toward the centrifugal wheel
Implementation Method 2
the diffuser, the purpose of which is to reduce the rotational component of the fluid backstreamed by the impeller
Data Source
AI summary
A suction stage for a pump with a centrifugal wheel, the suction stage including a rotational impeller equipped with a hub and arranged upstream of the centrifugal wheel, the suction stage further including a diffuser arranged between the impeller and the centrifugal wheel, the diffuser including a plurality of blades. The hub has a downstream surface extending axially so as to converge toward the centrifugal wheel, and the blades of the diffuser have free ends, the blades protruding radially toward the downstream surface.