Impeller with Staggered Blades for Flat Flow-Head Curve Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential gas water heaters on higher floors often experience insufficient water pressure, leading to poor performance and user experience due to the steep flow-head curve and low efficiency of existing pressurization devices.
Innovation Solution
The impeller design includes a first and second cover plate with blades of different lengths, arranged to create a relatively flat flow-head curve, allowing for efficient pressurization by accelerating liquid outflow through centrifugal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional impeller design with uniform blades is used, then structure is simple, but flow-head curve is steep causing water pressure to decrease sharply with increasing flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing blades with different lengths (first blade length L1, second blade length L2 where L1≠L2) and different radial positions. This asymmetric blade configuration creates a relatively flat flow-head curve, allowing water pressure to decrease gradually with increasing flow rather than sharply, thereby improving pressurization efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying blade characteristics at different locations. Specifically, blades are designed with different lengths and radial positions (first blades at one radial position, second blades at another radial position), creating localized differences in blade geometry that collectively produce a flat flow-head curve and improve overall pressurization performance.
2Device complexity
If impeller outlet is positioned at center, then structure is compact, but liquid flow acceleration and pressurization effect are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by repositioning the impeller outlet from the center to the outer circumference of the impeller. This spatial reconfiguration allows liquid to be accelerated along a radial path from center to outer edge, utilizing centrifugal force more effectively. The outlet positioned at the outer circumference enables better utilization of rotational energy to generate higher water pressure.
3Force
If blades are positioned at outer circumference only, then centrifugal force utilization is maximized, but liquid flow guidance and acceleration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the blade system into multiple segments: first blades positioned at one radial position and second blades positioned at a different radial position. This segmented blade arrangement allows different portions of the liquid flow to be guided and accelerated at different radial locations, optimizing both centrifugal force utilization and liquid flow speed development throughout the impeller passage.
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 effectively improves the pressurization efficiency of the gas water heater, enhancing user experience by maintaining a gradual decrease in water pressure with increasing flow, thus expanding the practical water usage range.
Implementation Method 1
liquid in the impeller can flow with acceleration out of the impeller outlet under an action of a centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller includes a first cover plate having an impeller inlet at a center of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate arranged opposite to the first cover plate. An impeller outlet is formed between an outer circumference of the second cover plate and an outer circumference of the first cover plate. The impeller further includes a first blade disposed between the first cover plate and the second cover plate, and a second blade disposed between the first cover plate and the second cover plate and staggered with the first blade. The first blade and the second blade have different lengths.