Rotary Blower with Interchangeable Radial Sections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air-ring blower machines require a wide range of sizes and components to meet various operational needs, leading to high construction costs, warehousing expenses, and maintenance challenges, as well as the need for frequent machine replacements due to changing customer requirements.
Innovation Solution
The machine features an annular conduit with interchangeable elements that modify the radial section of the free space between the blades and internal walls, allowing for different conformation and operation as either a vacuum pump or compressor, using interchangeable inserts and blades to adjust the flow characteristics without changing the base structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide range of machine sizes and components are used to meet various operational needs, then operational versatility is improved, but construction costs and warehousing expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single base machine structure that can perform multiple functions (vacuum pump and compressor modes) through interchangeable elements. The annular conduit can be configured with different radial sections to serve different operational needs, eliminating the requirement for multiple dedicated machines and reducing construction and warehousing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the annular conduit into modular sections with interchangeable radial configurations. By dividing the conduit into replaceable segments with different free space dimensions, the machine can be adapted to various operational requirements without redesigning the entire system, thus maintaining versatility while controlling manufacturing costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wide range of machine sizes and components are used to meet various operational needs, then operational versatility is improved, but warehousing expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal base machine design with interchangeable elements reduces the quantity of different machine types that need to be stored. Instead of maintaining inventory of multiple specialized machines, the company can store a single base model with various interchangeable radial section components, significantly reducing warehousing expenses while maintaining the ability to meet diverse operational needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wide range of machine sizes and components are used to meet various operational needs, then operational versatility is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design with interchangeable radial sections simplifies maintenance by allowing easy replacement of specific components without disassembling the entire machine. Each radial section can be independently maintained or replaced, reducing maintenance complexity compared to a fully integrated multi-configuration machine.
4Ease of manufacture
If interchangeable elements are applied to modify the radial section of free space, then construction costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into standardized interchangeable radial sections reduces construction costs through economies of scale in manufacturing common components. While the system has multiple configurations, the modular segmented approach actually reduces overall device complexity compared to custom-designed machines for each application, as the same base structure and connection interfaces are reused across all configurations.
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 significantly reduces construction and warehousing costs, allows for versatile operation across different conditions, and simplifies maintenance by enabling easy adaptation to changing customer needs while minimizing the risk of impeller seizing, and reduces the number of required casings, impellers, and motors needed.
Implementation Method 1
During operation, the dynamic action of the blades generates a fluid current in the first tract of annular conduit from aspiration to delivery
Implementation Method 2
Between the internal walls of the first tract and the blades a much larger free space is left, wherein turbulent fluid movement can take place
Implementation Method 3
each blade fits the second tract snugly, i.e. it passes at a very tiny distance from the internal walls of the second tract; preferably this distance is the tiniest possible, compatibly with friction problems, so as to prevent fluid passage between the two mouths through the second tract
Data Source
AI summary
The machine comprises an impeller, provided with blades connected to a central body of the impeller; the impeller is closed in a casing which defines an annular conduit, in which the blades rotate, which annular conduit exhibits an intake mouth and a delivery mouth and further exhibits a first tract which goes from the intake mouth to the delivery mouth, a free space is provided in the first tract between the rotating blades and the internal walls of the annular conduit. The conformation of the radial section of the annular conduit can be modified by application of interchangeable elements to parts of the machine which define the free space.