Impeller for fluid transmitting device and method of manufacturing the same

• US 20060021220A1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yutaka Giken Company Limited (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Yutaka Giken Company Limited (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Sato, Naoto, Kiriyama, Toshihide, Tsuchiya, Tomohiko, Takano, Syouji, Aoshima, Katsuyoshi, Takagi, Naomi
• Granted Patent: US 7,476,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/889.210
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2041/285 of stator blades
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 41/28 with respect to manufacture, e.g. blade attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49321 Assembling individual fluid flow interacting members, e.g., blades, vanes, buckets, on rotary support member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4933 Fluid coupling device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49968 Metal fusion joining

Abstract

An impeller for a fluid transmitting device includes a hub and a bowl-shaped shell connected to an outer peripheral portion of the hub via an annular weld seam. An inner peripheral surface of the shell is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the hub, and the weld seam is formed therebetween by laser welding over an entire length of fitting depth. Thus, it is possible to form the annular weld seam between the hub and the shell with a relatively small amount of heat input, and to precisely perform a visual inspection as to whether the weld seam is good or not without any skill.

Claims

1. An impeller for a fluid transmitting device, comprising:

a hub;

a bowl-shaped shell connected to an outer peripheral portion of the hub via an annular weld seam; and

a plurality of blades rising from an inner peripheral surface of the shell,

wherein the inner peripheral surface of the shell is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the hub, and the weld seam is formed therebetween by laser welding over an entire length of fitting depth.

2. An impeller for a fluid transmitting device, comprising:

a hub;

a bowl-shaped shell connected to an outer peripheral portion of the hub via an annular weld seam; and

a plurality of blades rising from an inner peripheral surface of the shell,

wherein an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical boss formed at an inner peripheral end of the shell is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the hub, and the weld seam is formed therebetween by laser welding over an entire length of fitting depth.

3. A method of manufacturing an impeller for a fluid transmitting device, comprising the steps of:

arranging annularly a plurality of blades on an inner surface of a bowl-shaped shell;

fixing temporally by welding an annular retainer plate on the inner surface of the shell to retain radially inner ends of the blades;

brazing the blades and the retainer plate to the inner surface of the shell; and

welding a hub to a central portion of the shell,

wherein the welding is performed by superposing the retainer plate on the inner surface of the shell, and forming a weld seam between the retainer plate and the shell by applying a laser beam from the side of the retainer plate.

4. A method of manufacturing an impeller for a fluid transmitting device according to claim 3, wherein the weld seam is annularly formed to surround the hub, and the blades and the retainer plate are brazed to the inner surface of the shell at a position radially outward of the weld seam.

5. A method of manufacturing an impeller for a fluid transmitting device according to claim 3, wherein a cylindrical boss protruding toward the retainer plate is formed at a peripherally inner end of the shell, and welded to the hub by the weld seam formed in spots.