Folding Impeller Assembly for Small Manway Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impellers face challenges when installed in vessels with small manways, requiring oversized manways or splitting blades, which is costly and difficult, and disrupt laminar flow when folding, necessitating a more efficient and damage-free solution.
Innovation Solution
A folding impeller assembly with a hub and blades connected by hinges, a locking mechanism, and a motor-driven attachment system that allows for easy insertion and operation within small manways, maintaining blade geometry and reducing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional folding impellers are used to reduce manway size requirements, then the impeller can be inserted through smaller openings, but the folding mechanism causes serious disturbances in laminar flow of fluid around the impeller blades
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller blades are divided into multiple segments that can fold relative to each other, allowing the impeller to be compacted for insertion through small manways while maintaining the ability to form a complete circular pattern during operation to minimize flow disturbance
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller employs a dynamic folding mechanism with hinges and locking levers that allow the blades to transition between folded and extended positions, enabling easy installation through small openings while maintaining optimal operational geometry for laminar flow
2Area of stationary object
If conventional folding impellers are used, then insertion through small manways is possible, but the impeller must be held well away from the bottom of the container to reduce damage to the container and/or blades
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented blade design allows the impeller to be folded into a compact configuration for insertion, then expanded to full diameter for operation, eliminating the need for excessive clearance from the container bottom while protecting blades during the folding insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller is pre-folded into a compact configuration before insertion, allowing it to pass through the small manway opening, then it is unfolded and locked into its operational position after insertion, eliminating the need to maintain excessive clearance during normal operation
3Area of stationary object
If impeller blades are split longitudinally to fit through small manways, then installation through limited openings is possible, but splitting the impeller blades is an expensive operation requiring multiple bolts and match marking to assure proper re-assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are segmented into foldable sections connected by hinges, allowing them to be collapsed for insertion through small manways and then reassembled in their original configuration without requiring complex splitting and matching operations
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connections integrate the blade segments into a unified folding structure that maintains blade geometry and balance, eliminating the need for separate splitting and re-assembly operations with multiple bolts and match marking
4Manufacturing precision
If a locking mechanism with multiple latches and brackets is used to secure the folding impeller, then blade geometry and balance are maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate mechanism with latches and brackets that can engage and disengage independently, allowing the impeller to maintain its folding structure while securing blade geometry without integrating complexity into the blade design itself
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured with latches and brackets positioned to automatically engage with the folded blade segments, maintaining blade geometry and balance without requiring complex manual adjustment or assembly procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing apparatus and system includes a hub, a plurality of blades, and a respective hinge for each blade to pivotally secure each blade to the hub. Each hinge including a lock having a tab and a detent to secure the respective blade in an operating conformation.