Centrifugal Pump Impeller Annular Bead Hub Force Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal pumps face a challenge in reducing mass while maintaining hydraulic performance and mechanical strength, often requiring compromises that affect mechanical resistance and fatigue resistance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an annular bead between the hub and the web of the impeller, creating an annular space that reduces centrifugal forces on the hub, allowing for a lighter structure with enhanced mechanical strength and reduced deformation, and includes reinforcing ribs and through holes for pressure balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the impeller web is directly attached to the hub, then the structural integrity is ensured, but the hub is subjected to high centrifugal forces causing significant deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcentrifugal force on hub
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

An annular bead is introduced as an intermediary element between the web and the hub. This bead acts as a mediator that receives centrifugal forces from the web and transmits them to the shaft, preventing direct force application to the hub and thereby reducing hub deformation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If the impeller mass is reduced, then the overall pump mass decreases, but the mechanical resistance and fatigue resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller massVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The annular bead is designed with specific local dimensions (radial thickness, axial height, and position relative to the hub) to concentrate structural strength where needed. This localized reinforcement allows the impeller to maintain mechanical resistance and fatigue resistance while reducing overall mass by removing unnecessary material from other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the annular bead dimensions are increased to control displacements, then the mechanical strength improves, but the impeller mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidimpeller mass
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dimensions of the annular bead (radial thickness e, axial height h, and position a) are optimized as specific parameters to achieve the desired balance between strength and mass. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves adequate mechanical strength with minimal mass penalty, avoiding both excessive lightness and unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves a reduced mass with equivalent or better hydraulic and mechanical performance compared to traditional centrifugal pumps, facilitating easier assembly and reduced stress on components.

Implementation Method 1

the hub is not subjected to centrifugal force exerted by the web on the hub when the wheel is rotating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3532732B1Impeller for centrifugal pump, centrifugal pump and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 ARIANEGRP SAS
  • EP3532732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3532732B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3532732B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to an impeller (10) for a centrifugal pump having an axial direction (X), the impeller (10) comprising a hub (24), a web (26) having a rotationally symmetrical shape comprising an attachment part (28) for attaching the web (26) to the hub (24), the web (26) widening from the attachment part (28) in the axial direction (X), and an annular bead (30) arranged between the web (26) and the hub (24), the annular bead (30) being attached to the web (26) while an annular space (32) is created between the hub (24) and the annular bead (30). The invention also relates to a centrifugal pump comprising the impeller (10) and a method for manufacturing the impeller (10).