Fluid-Foil Impeller Reduces Cavitation via Segmented Discs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fluid reaction surfaces, such as impellers, suffer from high turbulence and cavitation issues at high RPMs, leading to inefficiencies and damage, and lack compatibility with various fluid types and industries.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-foil impeller with a series of discs and a Venturi shroud that reduces turbulence by utilizing internal friction and boundary layers, compatible with all fluid types, and designed to mitigate cavitation effects, with a carrier connected to a drive shaft for propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional impellers operate at high RPM, then propulsion speed increases, but cavitation damage and turbulence losses worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is segmented into multiple thin fluid-foil discs arranged in series along the rotational axis, with each disc independently contributing to fluid propulsion. This segmentation reduces the RPM requirement for each individual disc, thereby mitigating cavitation damage while maintaining overall high propulsion speed through the cumulative effect of multiple discs working in sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional planar impeller blades to a three-dimensional array of multiple thin discs stacked along the rotational axis. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve high propulsion speeds through the combined action of multiple discs at moderate RPM, reducing cavitation effects that plague single-plane high-RPM impellers.
2Productivity
If traditional impellers operate at high RPM, then propulsion efficiency improves, but turbulence losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the impeller into multiple thin fluid-foil discs arranged in series, each disc processes a portion of the fluid flow independently. This segmentation reduces turbulence generation at each stage compared to a single traditional impeller blade, thereby maintaining propulsion efficiency while minimizing energy losses to turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by distributing the propulsion work across multiple discs rotating at moderate RPM rather than a single impeller at high RPM. This parameter change reduces the intensity of fluid acceleration at any given point, thereby reducing turbulence losses while maintaining overall propulsion efficiency.
3Productivity
If traditional fluid reaction surfaces are used, then propulsion is achieved, but cavitation and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is divided into multiple thin fluid-foil discs, each operating at lower individual stress levels compared to a traditional single-blade impeller. This segmentation distributes the mechanical and cavitation stresses across multiple components, reducing damage to any single disc and improving overall impeller durability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of high RPM operation (which causes cavitation) into a beneficial configuration where multiple discs operate at moderate RPM. The cumulative propulsion effect of multiple discs at lower speeds achieves the desired propulsion while eliminating the cavitation damage that would occur with a single high-RPM impeller.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single impeller design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different fluid types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid-foil disc design incorporates universal features that enable adaptability to different fluid types (water, air, oils, vapors, semi-solids) while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process. The thin disc geometry with controlled spacing can be optimized for different fluid viscosities and densities, allowing a single basic design to serve multiple applications across different industries.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves versatility through parameter adjustments rather than fundamental design changes. By modifying parameters such as disc spacing, disc thickness, and rotational speed, the same basic fluid-foil disc structure can be adapted to handle different fluid types effectively, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving broad adaptability.
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 fluid-foil impeller enhances propulsion efficiency, delays cavitation, and is compatible with diverse fluids and industries, offering cost-effectiveness and ease of operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Each disc may have a thickness, t, and the series of discs may have a spacing between adjacent discs, s, where the spacing, s, is approximately equal to or less than the thickness, t, of the disc thereby forming a boundary layer
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the internal friction of a 'fluid' against a plurality of fluid-foil discs that are configured to rotate rapidly in series to produce propulsion
Implementation Method 3
utilize a standard or Venturi shroud that is designed to encompass the plurality of fluid-foil discs
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates in general to the field of fluid reaction surfaces, and more specifically, to a fluid-foil impeller and method of use. One aspect of the fluid-foil impeller utilizes a plurality of fluid-foil discs that may be of uniform and/or variable thickness and configured to rotate rapidly in series to produce propulsion. Each fluid-foil disc comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a chord and a fixed pitch. The fluid-foil impeller may further include a standard or Venturi shroud that is designed to encompass the plurality of fluid-foil discs. The plurality of fluid-foil discs are configured to act in cooperation with the shroud to reduce losses incurred from turbulence and the conversion of mechanical work to fluid movement. Fluid may be acted upon by the plurality of fluid-foil discs and/or shroud, singly or in an array. A purpose of the invention is to provide a fluid-foil impeller and method of use that reduces harmful cavitation effects typically encountered by traditional propeller blades when operating at high revolutions per minute. An additional purpose of the invention is to provide a fluid-foil impeller that may be used efficiently and safely in a variety of industrial applications that requires successful propulsion a fluid.