Centrifugal Compressor Impeller Leading Edge Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugal compressors face challenges in achieving higher pressure ratios and larger capacities, limiting their efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
The design of the impeller features a hub with radially protruding blades, where the leading edge is shaped with a curved surface connecting the pressure and suction sides, with an increasing angle from the inner to the outer end, and a decreasing radius of curvature, optimizing the incidence angle and reducing shock loss across the blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the leading edge is designed with a constant angle and radius of curvature, then the manufacturing is simple, but the shock loss increases at the outer end where fluid velocity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the leading edge geometry variable along the radial direction. Specifically, the angle between the component central line and axial direction increases from inner end to outer end, and the radius of curvature at the central position decreases from inner end to outer end. This allows the leading edge to be optimized for local flow conditions at different radial positions, reducing shock loss at the high-velocity outer end while maintaining manufacturability through a systematic gradient design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the geometric parameters of the leading edge along the radial direction. The angle parameter increases and the radius of curvature parameter decreases from the inner end to the outer end of the blade. This continuous parameter variation allows the blade to adapt to changing flow velocities and directions, minimizing shock loss across the entire blade span while maintaining a manufacturable gradient structure.
2Loss of energy
If the incidence angle is reduced at the outer end to improve efficiency, then energy loss decreases, but the flow area may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the incidence angle at different radial positions according to local flow conditions. At the outer end where fluid velocity is high, the angle between the component central line and axial direction is increased, which effectively reduces the incidence angle and minimizes energy loss. Meanwhile, the overall blade geometry and passage area are maintained to ensure sufficient flow volume, achieving local optimization without compromising global flow capacity.
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 configuration enhances efficiency by minimizing shock loss and preventing fluid separation, while maintaining flow volume, resulting in a highly efficient centrifugal compressor.
Implementation Method 1
A radius of curvature at a central position, intersecting with the component central line of the leading edge, decreases from the inner end toward the outer end
Implementation Method 2
An angle between a component central line of the main body part and the axial direction increases from an inner end toward an outer end
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is an impeller of a centrifugal compressor including: a hub; a plurality of blades protruding from a surface of the hub, wherein a passage is formed by the hub and a blade being adjacent with the hub, so that a fluid, flowing in along an axial direction at an inner circumferential side in a radial direction, is flowed out toward an outer circumferential side in a radial direction; each of the plurality of blades includes a main body part and a leading edge, the main body part including a pressure side and a suction side; an angle between a component central line of the main body part and the axial direction increases from an inner end toward an outer end; and a radius of curvature at a central position, intersecting with the component central line of the leading edge, decreases from the inner end toward the outer end.