Centrifugal Impeller Balancing Weight With Integrated Vent Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary machines, such as centrifugal compressors, often experience dynamic unbalance due to manufacturing errors or positional deviations, leading to vibrations, which existing balancing mechanisms attempt to address through balance holes and weights but can be inefficient and increase the impeller's diameter.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical balancing weight with a hollow passageway and male threads is designed to be mounted within balance holes, providing both mechanical and thrust balancing while allowing fluid venting, reducing the number of openings needed on the impeller hub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate balance holes (threaded holes and vent holes) are provided in the impeller hub, then both mechanical balancing and thrust balancing can be achieved, but the number of openings increases and the hub diameter must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate balance holes (threaded holes for mechanical balancing and vent holes for thrust balancing) into a single integrated balance hole. The balancing weight includes both threaded portions for mechanical balancing and hollow passageways for thrust balancing, allowing both functions to be achieved through one opening in the impeller hub, thereby reducing the hub diameter and number of openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing weight is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical balancing (through threaded portions that can be adjusted), thrust balancing (through hollow passageways that allow fluid flow), and structural support. This universal component replaces the need for separate dedicated threaded holes and vent holes, achieving multiple balancing functions through a single integrated solution.
2Reliability
If multiple separate balance holes are provided for mechanical and thrust balancing, then comprehensive balancing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate balancing components (threaded holes for mechanical weights and vent holes for thrust balancing) into a single integrated balance hole in the impeller hub. The balancing weight itself is a unified component that contains both threaded portions and hollow passageways, reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining comprehensive balancing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing weight is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical balancing through its threaded portions that can be adjusted, enables thrust balancing through its hollow passageways that allow fluid flow, and serves as a structural element. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each balancing function.
3Reliability
If traditional separate threaded holes and vent holes are used, then mechanical and thrust balancing are provided, but the impeller efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate threaded holes and vent holes into a single integrated balance hole, reducing the total number of openings in the impeller hub. This reduction in openings minimizes disruptions to fluid flow through the impeller, thereby improving compressor efficiency and productivity while still providing both mechanical and thrust balancing capabilities through the multi-functional balancing weight.
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 solution effectively balances the impeller by reducing the number of openings, decreasing the impeller hub's diameter and enhancing compressor efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one balancing weight includes a hollow passageway through which a fluid may vent from the front side to the back side of the hub
Implementation Method 2
Mechanical balancing may be performed by mounting weights in the plurality of threaded holes, and thrust balancing may occur via the passageways defined by the vent holes. This mechanism of mechanical balancing is used to align the center of mass of the impeller with the rotational axis of the rotating shaft
Implementation Method 3
Rotation of the impeller increases a pressure and/or velocity of a fluid or gas moving across the impeller. During rotation of the impeller, an imbalance of mass may occur such as due to the positional deviation of the impeller relative to the rotor shaft, a manufacturing error at the time of machining, or the like. For example, when the central axis of the mass of the impeller is offset from the rotational center of the rotor shaft, a centrifugal force is generated resulting in a dynamic unbalance
Data Source
AI summary
A balancing weight mountable within a balance hole of a rotary component includes a cylindrical body having a desired weight. An opening is formed in a portion of the body to define a hollow passageway and a mechanism couples the cylindrical body within an interior of the balance hole.