Single-Piece Impulse Turbine Open-Bottom Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impulse turbines require complex multi-part assemblies due to undercut geometry features, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece impulse turbine design with an open bottom geometry, eliminating undercut features, allowing for cost-effective molding or extrusion and maintaining hydraulic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional undercut geometry features are used to create closed-bottom turbine assemblies, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to requiring multi-part assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional closed-bottom geometry by using an open-bottom design with a support structure that extends into the housing. This reversal eliminates the need for complex multi-part assemblies while maintaining structural integrity through the support structure that provides necessary reinforcement without requiring undercut features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the problematic closed-bottom geometry and associated support structures from the turbine assembly. By extracting the bottom plate and reconfiguring the support structure to extend into the housing, the design eliminates the need for complex multi-part assemblies while maintaining structural strength.
2Strength
If multi-part assemblies are used to accommodate undercut geometry, then structural support is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the turbine runner with the housing by integrating the support structure directly into the housing structure. The support structure extends from the housing into the turbine assembly, eliminating the need for separate bottom plates and reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and assembly time.
3Reliability
If conventional closed-bottom geometry is used, then fluid containment is improved, but manufacturing simplicity deteriorates due to requiring multiple assembled parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional closed-bottom approach by using an open-bottom design where the support structure extends into the housing to provide containment. This reversal achieves fluid containment through the housing integration rather than through a closed bottom plate, enabling single-piece manufacturing.
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
The single-piece design reduces assembly complexity and costs while maintaining sufficient hydraulic efficiency, enabling high rotational speeds and efficient energy conversion from fluid momentum to mechanical power.
Implementation Method 1
converting hydraulic energy from the flow of fluid into rotational energy
Implementation Method 2
the flow of fluid from a jet rotates a turbine, thereby converting hydraulic energy from the flow of fluid into rotational energy
Data Source
AI summary
A separation assembly comprises a housing, a jet that expels a fluid within the housing, and a turbine positioned within the housing. The fluid causes the turbine to rotate about a center rotational axis within the housing. The turbine comprises a first axial end, a second axial end, and a plurality of vanes extending axially relative to the center rotational axis from the first axial end to the second axial end. The plurality of vanes defines axially-extending channels between each of the plurality of vanes. The first axial end comprises a radially-extending structure that axially blocks the flow of the fluid through the first axial end. The second axial end does not comprise any structure that axially blocks the flow of the fluid through the second axial end.