Turbomachine Impeller Radial Flow Channels Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbomachine rotors experience resonant vibrations due to natural frequencies matching rotational speeds, leading to potential failure from high cycle fatigue, and existing designs struggle to optimize rotor dynamics and stiffness effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a turbomachine impeller with radially extended flow channels between the hub and shroud, featuring inlet and outlet surfaces orthogonal to the rotation axis, which increases the overall rigidity of the impeller and rotor, thereby shifting natural frequencies and reducing vibration amplitudes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rotor speed is increased to improve productivity, then the power output increases, but resonant vibrations occur when natural frequencies match rotational speeds, leading to potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotor speedVSAvoidresonance-induced failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the impeller structure, specifically the flow channel geometry and blade configuration, to change the natural frequencies of the rotor. This allows the rotor to operate at higher speeds without encountering resonant conditions that would cause failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces radial extension of flow channels, adding a dimensional feature that increases the moment of inertia and stiffness of the impeller. This structural modification in the radial dimension shifts natural frequencies away from operating speeds, preventing resonance while allowing higher productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the stiffness of the rotor is increased to improve rotor dynamics and shift natural frequencies, then vibration amplitudes are reduced, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotor stiffnessVSAvoidimpeller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the impeller structure into distinct functional zones: the hub, the radially extended flow channels, and the blades. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for stiffness while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curved and radially extended flow channel geometries rather than simple straight channels. This curvature increases the moment of inertia and structural stiffness of the impeller, improving rotor dynamics while the smooth transitions maintain manufacturing practicality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3350452B1High stiffness turbomachine impeller, turbomachine including said impeller and method of manufacturing

Publication Date: 2024.02.28 NUOVO PIGNONE TECH SRL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~5A

AI summary

A turbomachine impeller(1)is disclosed, which comprises:a hub (3) having a rotation axis(A-A);a shroud(13);a plurality of blades(5; 5A, 5B)between the hub (3) and the shroud(13);and a plurality of flow vanes(11), each flow vane being defined between the hub(3), the shroud (13) and neighboring blades(5; 5A, 5B), each flow vane having a flow vane inlet and a flow vane outlet. Each flow vane (11) extends radially inwardly from the flow vane inlet towards a radially innermost flow vane sec- tion, and from the radially innermost flow vane section to a flow vane outlet.