High efficiency one-piece centrifugal blower
First Claim
1. A centrifugal impeller mounted to rotate on an axis, the impeller comprising a plurality of blades, each having a leading edge and a trailing edge, an impeller hub, and a top shroud;
- the blades defining an impeller diameter, a cylindrical area ratio, an outlet area, a minimum chord length, a blade meanline length and a blade solidity; and
the top shroud forming an inlet to the impeller having an impeller inlet radius and an inlet area;
said impeller characterized in that;
a) it is injection molded in one piece;
b) the impeller hub extends outwardly to a radius less than that of the impeller inlet radius;
c) the blades extend outwardly from a radius less than the impeller hub radius;
d) the top shroud has curvature in a plane that contains the impeller axis, and;
e) the cylindrical area ratio is between 1.0 and 2.0.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention comprises a centrifugal impeller that exhibits relatively high operating efficiency and high pressure capability, and can be easily constructed as a single piece. The invention suits itself towards applications where relatively high operating efficiency and low cost construction are required. The invention particularly suits itself towards manufacture by injection molding plastic. The impeller is characterized by: a) a hub that extends to a radius less than that of the impeller inlet, allowing one piece construction by an injection molding tool with no slides or action; b) blades that extend from a radius less than the hub radius at the base of the blades, allowing the base of the blades to connect to the hub; c) an impeller top shroud that has curvature in a plane that contains the impeller axis; and d) a cylindrical area ratio between 1.0 and 2.0. The blower assembly is characterized by a separate base plate positioned in close proximity to the base of the impeller blades. The base plate can be incorporated into a motor flange or a blower or motor housing.
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A centrifugal impeller mounted to rotate on an axis, the impeller comprising a plurality of blades, each having a leading edge and a trailing edge, an impeller hub, and a top shroud;
- the blades defining an impeller diameter, a cylindrical area ratio, an outlet area, a minimum chord length, a blade meanline length and a blade solidity; and
the top shroud forming an inlet to the impeller having an impeller inlet radius and an inlet area;
said impeller characterized in that;
a) it is injection molded in one piece;
b) the impeller hub extends outwardly to a radius less than that of the impeller inlet radius;
c) the blades extend outwardly from a radius less than the impeller hub radius;
d) the top shroud has curvature in a plane that contains the impeller axis, and;
e) the cylindrical area ratio is between 1.0 and 2.0. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- the blades defining an impeller diameter, a cylindrical area ratio, an outlet area, a minimum chord length, a blade meanline length and a blade solidity; and
Specification