Modular Fan Blade Pitch Setting via Recessed Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impellers, typically made from a single piece of material, require lengthy lead times and high costs due to the need for multiple design iterations and full re-manufacturing when airflow requirements change, as the pitch angle of their blades cannot be independently altered.
Innovation Solution
A modular impeller design comprising detachable blades and a pitch-setting ring with recesses that can be angled to provide specific pitch angles, allowing the hub and blades to be reused while only the ring is re-manufactured with new recesses to meet changing airflow requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional single-piece impellers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but lead time and manufacturing cost increase significantly due to full re-manufacturing for design iterations
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is divided into separate modular components: a hub, multiple blades, and a pitch-setting ring. This segmentation allows individual components to be manufactured independently and assembled, enabling design iterations without re-manufacturing the entire impeller. The pitch-setting ring specifically can be modified to change blade pitch angles while reusing the hub and blades.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple design iterations are performed on single-piece impellers, then airflow requirements are met, but manufacturing cost increases due to full re-manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the impeller into modular components, the invention enables cost-effective design iterations. Only the pitch-setting ring needs to be re-manufactured with modified recess geometries to achieve different pitch angles, while the hub and blades can be reused. This dramatically reduces manufacturing cost compared to re-making entire single-piece impellers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter changes (pitch angle) by modifying the geometry of the recesses in the pitch-setting ring. Different recess shapes and orientations can be created in the ring to impart different pitch angles to the blades, allowing airflow optimization without re-manufacturing other components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pitch angle is fixed in conventional impellers, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different airflow requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch-setting ring provides dynamic adjustability of the pitch angle through its configurable recess geometry. The ring can be designed with different recess orientations and shapes to impart various pitch angles to the blades, enabling the impeller to adapt to different airflow requirements. This dynamic capability is achieved while maintaining relatively simple component structures.
4Loss of time
If modular impeller design is used, then lead time and cost are reduced, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design segments the impeller into components that are assembled together with fasteners or other joining mechanisms. This segmentation reduces manufacturing lead time and cost by enabling independent manufacturing and iteration of components. The design maintains structural integrity through proper joining methods and component interfaces that ensure reliable assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided techniques and apparatuses for fan blade pitch setting. For example, there is provided an impeller including a ring disposed in a hub of the impeller. The ring can include a recess shaped and positioned to impart a specified pitch angle to a blade extending outwardly from the ring through the hub.