Hubless Impeller Wheel Assembly Using a Holding Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current impeller/turbine wheel manufacturing methods that include a hub for attachment are costly, reduce flow capacity, and require additional material and time due to the inclusion and removal of a wrenching feature.

Innovation Solution

Manufacture impeller/turbine wheels without a hub by casting from the back face and using a holding plate with complementary bosses to secure the wheel during assembly, eliminating the need for a wrenching feature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hub with wrenching feature is included in the impeller wheel, then the wheel can be held stationary during assembly, but the flow capacity is reduced and manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold wheel stationary during assemblyVSAvoidflow capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hub and wrenching feature from the impeller wheel design entirely. Instead of including these features and then removing them later, the invention extracts them completely from the design, allowing the wheel to be held stationary through alternative means (holding plate with clamps) that do not interfere with flow capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing a holding plate with clamps before the impeller wheel is placed on it. The holding plate is ready in advance with positioning features and clamps that can securely hold the wheel during assembly operations, eliminating the need for the wheel to have integrated holding features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a hub with wrenching feature is included in the impeller wheel, then the wheel can be held stationary during assembly, but manufacturing time increases due to adding and removing the wrenching feature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold wheel stationary during assemblyVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the wrenching feature entirely from the impeller wheel design. The holding function is transferred to a separate holding plate device, eliminating the need to add and remove wrenching features during manufacturing, thus reducing manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding plate is prepared in advance with all necessary positioning and clamping features. This preliminary preparation allows the impeller wheel to be quickly placed and secured without time-consuming operations of adding and removing wrenching features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a hub with wrenching feature is included in the impeller wheel, then the wheel can be held stationary during assembly, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold wheel stationary during assemblyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hub and wrenching feature from the impeller wheel, reducing material usage and simplifying the casting process. The holding function is transferred to a separate holding plate, which can be used across multiple assemblies, reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding plate is prepared in advance as a reusable fixture, eliminating the need to include expensive hub and wrenching features in each impeller wheel. This preliminary preparation of a reusable holding device reduces per-unit manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method increases flow capacity, reduces polar inertia, and decreases manufacturing time and costs while maintaining product quality.

Implementation Method 1

casting an impeller wheel without a hub in a mold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCasting:

Implementation Method 2

pressing the impeller wheel on a holding plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 3

attaching (e.g., friction welding) a shaft to the impeller wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction welding: Friction Welding

Data Source

PatentUS20250347289A1Methods and systems for manufacturing an impeller wheel assembly

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 TURBONETICS HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

Methods for manufacturing an impeller wheel assembly (e.g., an impeller wheel attached to one or more additional components) are provided. In one example, a method includes casting an impeller wheel without a hub feature in a mold and holding the cast impeller wheel in a fixed position using a holding plate during subsequent stages of fabrication (e.g., the addition of a shaft via friction welding).