Nut-less Turbine Wheel Design for Forced Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional forced induction devices, such as turbochargers and superchargers, face limitations in airflow obstruction due to the presence of hex nuts or fasteners on the compressor and turbine wheels, which restrict horsepower potential and require larger frames to increase power output, while also being cumbersome for installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
The design eliminates the hex nut or fastener on the hub of the compressor and turbine wheels, allowing for a nut-less or hub-less configuration that enhances airflow, increases blade length, and uses a tool with posts to rotate and thread the compressor wheel onto the shaft without applying pressure, thereby increasing horsepower and ease of serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional hex nuts or fasteners are used on the hub of compressor and turbine wheels, then the wheels can be securely fastened during manufacturing and assembly, but the airflow is obstructed which limits horsepower potential and requires larger frames to increase power output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional hex nut or fastener from the hub of the compressor and turbine wheels, extracting the harmful element that obstructs airflow. This elimination allows unobstructed airflow through the forced induction device while maintaining secure attachment through alternative means (welding, threading, or interference fits), thereby resolving the contradiction between horsepower potential and airflow obstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the blade length in the radial dimension by removing the hub obstruction, allowing blades to extend closer to the outer circumference. This dimensional change increases the effective blade area and airflow capacity without requiring a larger frame, thus increasing horsepower while eliminating airflow obstruction
2Ease of repair
If traditional hub designs with fasteners are used, then the compressor and turbine wheels can be assembled and disassembled using standard tools, but the serviceability is reduced due to the need to apply pressure to the hub which can damage the blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traditional hub structure that requires applying pressure during installation and removal. By eliminating this hub design, the patent prevents the transmission of damaging forces to the blades during service operations, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of repair through alternative attachment methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a threaded bore or interference fit mechanism as an intermediary between the wheel and shaft, allowing secure attachment without direct pressure application to the blade root area. This intermediary connection method protects blade integrity while enabling serviceability
3Power
If larger frame sizes are used to increase power output in traditional designs, then horsepower potential can be increased, but the device size and weight increase which is problematic for motorsports applications with size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves increased horsepower within the same frame size by utilizing the radial dimension more effectively. Without the hub obstruction, blades can extend to the full radial capacity of the frame, maximizing the use of available space and increasing power output without increasing frame volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the wheel design by eliminating the hub and extending blade length, which increases the effective swept area and airflow capacity. This parameter change allows the same frame size to accommodate higher horsepower output
Data Source
AI summary
A forced induction device for an internal combustion engine is provided, which includes a shaft, and a compressor wheel that is threadably mounted to the shaft, and a tool that is configured to engage one or more through bores in the compressor wheel to thread and unthread the compressor wheel onto and off of the shaft. The compressor wheel has a plurality of blades with leading edges that converge at an apex. The apex is aligned with a centerline of the shaft. The tool allows a technician to rotate the compressor wheel relative to the shaft to install or remove the compressor wheel from the shaft without applying any pressure to the blades of the compressor wheel. An associated assembly method is also provided.