Self-Balancing Impeller Wheel for Radial Rotating Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radial rotating machines, such as centrifugal compressors, face limitations in fluid throughput due to the need for axial thrust bearings, which are hindered by lubrication issues in subsea or medical applications and cannot fully counterbalance dynamic axial forces, restricting maximum throughput.
Innovation Solution
An impeller wheel system with a bladed hub and deflector portion having specific curvature profiles to deflect fluid flows, allowing for magnetic axial thrust bearings by self-balancing dynamic axial forces, reducing system length and mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional balance drum systems and axial thrust bearings are used to counterbalance axial forces, then the machine can operate with standard bearings, but the fluid throughput is limited to values lower than the maximum throughput imposed by bearing capacity and lubrication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical balance drum systems and oil-lubricated thrust bearings with a self-balancing impeller wheel design that uses magnetic bearings. The deflector portion creates dynamic axial forces that automatically counterbalance static axial forces, eliminating the need for mechanical balance drums and oil lubrication, thereby enabling higher fluid throughput without compromising bearing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller wheel assembly performs self-balancing of axial forces through its own geometry. The deflector portion generates dynamic axial forces that automatically counterbalance the static axial forces from pressure differences, allowing the system to self-regulate without external balance drums or complex lubrication systems, thus removing the throughput limitations imposed by conventional bearing systems
2Strength
If oil bearings are used to withstand high axial loads, then the bearing capacity is sufficient, but lubrication accessibility becomes a hindrance in subsea and medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces oil-lubricated mechanical bearings with magnetic bearings that require no lubrication. The magnetic bearing system maintains axial positioning of the impeller wheel through magnetic fields, completely eliminating the need for oil lubrication and associated accessibility issues in subsea and medical applications, while maintaining sufficient load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the lubrication system entirely from the bearing arrangement. By using magnetic bearings, the system eliminates oil lubrication components and their associated maintenance requirements, making the system suitable for applications where lubrication accessibility is problematic
3Force
If balance drum systems are designed to counterbalance static axial forces, then static force balancing is achieved, but dynamic axial forces remain uncounterbalanced and must be handled by additional thrust bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the impeller wheel assembly multi-functional by integrating both the primary fluid handling function and the axial force balancing function into a single component. The deflector portion of the impeller wheel generates dynamic axial forces that counterbalance static axial forces, eliminating the need for separate balance drums and reducing the bearing system to only magnetic bearings, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity
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
Enables higher fluid throughput without additional axial thrust bearings, maintaining axial stability through magnetic bearings, and reduces system length and weight, addressing lubrication challenges in sensitive environments.
Implementation Method 1
a bladed hub portion, with a first, radially outward facing fluid deflecting surface having a curvature profile designed to deflect an axial fluid flow into a radial centrifugal flow
Implementation Method 2
a deflector portion with a second radially outward facing fluid deflecting surface. The second radially outward facing surface has a curvature profile designed to deflect a radial centripetal fluid flow into an axial fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
An embodiment of the invention propose an impeller wheel system which ensures a better axial force compensation, thus making it possible to use bearings of only the magnetic type
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller wheel assembly for a radial rotating machine, comprises a bladed hub portion of an impeller wheel, with a first radially outward facing, fluid deflecting surface having a curvature profile designed to deflect an axial fluid flow into a radial centrifugal flow, and comprising a deflector portion with a second radially outward facing, fluid deflecting surface. The second radially outward facing surface has a curvature profile designed to deflect a radial centripetal fluid flow into an axial fluid flow.