Centrifugal Pump Impeller Assembly Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal pump impeller assemblies are costly due to complex construction and require a reduction in production costs while maintaining high efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The impeller assembly is composed of two cold pressed steel disks with ribs formed by pressing, welded together to create divergent channels, reducing the number of components and simplifying construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional impeller assemblies with multiple components are used, then structural complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases, but functional performance is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traditional impeller components (hub, blades, shroud) into a single integrated impeller body formed by pressing a blank into a mold. This consolidation reduces the number of parts, eliminates assembly operations, and lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining the functional complexity of the impeller structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller body is formed by pressing a blank into a mold, creating segmented channels and vanes as integral features. This segmentation allows complex internal geometry to be achieved through forming processes rather than assembly, reducing part count while maintaining functional segmentation for fluid flow.
2Ease of manufacture
If a reduced number of components is used, then production cost decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller body is pre-formed by pressing a blank into a mold before assembly operations. This preliminary forming action establishes precise dimensional characteristics and geometric features early in the manufacturing process, reducing the need for subsequent precision machining and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process transitions from traditional mechanical machining to pressing operations, changing the primary forming method. This parameter change in the manufacturing process allows for cost-effective production while achieving sufficient dimensional accuracy through controlled pressing parameters and mold design.
3Device complexity
If simple construction is adopted, then device complexity decreases, but reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single integrated impeller body, the patent reduces the number of potential failure points at interfaces and connections. This consolidation eliminates assembly gaps and connection weaknesses, thereby improving reliability while maintaining construction simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller body is formed from a single piece of material through pressing operations, creating a homogeneous composite structure without weak joints. This unified material structure enhances reliability by eliminating interfaces that could fail under operational conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The impeller assembly associable with a centrifugal pump comprises a first disk (10) and a second disk (20) firmly assembled with each other. The first disk (10) is provided with a central hole (11) and a plurality of ribs (13) obtained by pressing on a face of the same first disk facing the second disk (20). The second disk (20) is provided with a central hole (21) and a rim (22) protruding from said central hole (21). Said ribs (13) are configured such that they shape a plurality of channels (14) separated by the same ribs between the first disk (10) and the second disk (20).