Abstract
An impeller pump having a housing, which has an inlet and an outlet, and having an impeller wheel with a plurality of elastic impeller blades is described. The cross section of the inlet and/or of the outlet is substantially in the shape of a polygon on the side facing the housing interior.
Claims
1. An impeller pump comprising: a housing comprising: an inlet comprising an opening consisting of one inner inlet opening at which the inlet transitions into an interior of the housing, and an outlet comprising an opening consisting of one inner outlet opening at which the outlet transitions into the interior of the housing; and an impeller wheel disposed in the interior of the housing, rotatable about an axis of rotation, and comprising a plurality of elastic impeller blades, wherein a cross section of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening when viewed from the interior of the housing along an axis defined by the at least one of the inlet or the outlet is in a shape of a polygon comprising a plurality of straight line segments, a longitudinal extent that is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and a width of the cross section that is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein widths of the cross section vary along at least a part of the longitudinal extent.
2. The impeller pump of claim 1, wherein the polygon further comprises a transverse extent, and a ratio of a length of the transverse extent to a length of the longitudinal extent is less than or equal to 1:2.
3. The impeller pump of claim 2, wherein the ratio of the length of the transverse extent to the length of the longitudinal extent is 1:3 or 1:4.
4. The impeller pump of claim 2, wherein the polygon is symmetrical with respect to at least one of the longitudinal extent or the transverse extent.
5. The impeller pump of claim 2, wherein a ratio of the length of the transverse extent to a width of the impeller blades is less than 1:1.
6. The impeller pump of claim 5, wherein the ratio of the length of the transverse extent to the width of the impeller blades is 1:3 or 1:4.
7. The impeller pump of claim 1, wherein the polygon has at least one rounded corner.
8. The impeller pump of claim 1, wherein a cross section of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening on a side facing away from the interior of the housing is in a shape of a circle or the shape of a polygon.
9. The impeller pump of claim 8, wherein at least one of the cross section of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening on the side facing away from the interior of the housing is in a shape of a square.
10. An impeller pump comprising: a housing comprising: an inlet comprising an opening consisting of one inner inlet opening at which the inlet transitions into an interior of the housing, and an outlet comprising an opening consisting of one inner outlet opening at which the outlet transitions into the interior of the housing; and an impeller wheel disposed in the interior of the housing, rotatable about an axis of rotation, and comprising a plurality of elastic impeller blades, wherein a cross section of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening on a side facing the interior of the housing has a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent, a length of the longitudinal extent is greater than a length of the transverse extent, and the longitudinal extent of the cross section encloses an angle with the axis of rotation.
11. The impeller pump of claim 10, wherein the angle is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
12. The impeller pump of claim 11, wherein the angle is greater than or equal to 30° and less than or equal to 60°.
13. The impeller pump of claim 10, wherein the cross section of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening is in a shape of an ellipse or a polygon.
14. The impeller pump of claim 13, wherein the polygon comprises at least one rounded corner.
15. The impeller pump of claim 10, wherein a ratio of the length of the transverse extent to a width of the impeller blades is less than 1:1.
16. The impeller pump of claim 15, wherein the ratio of the length of the transverse extent to the width of the impeller blades is less than or equal to 1:2.
17. The impeller pump of claim 10, wherein a ratio of a width of the impeller blades to a cross-sectional width of the cross section of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening parallel to the width of the impeller blades is greater than or equal to 3:2.
18. The impeller pump of claim 10, wherein a cross section of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening on a side facing away from the interior of the housing is in a shape of a circle or a shape of a polygon.
19. The impeller pump of claim 18, wherein the polygon comprises a rectangle.
20. The impeller pump of claim 10, wherein at least one edge of at least one of the inner inlet opening or of the inner outlet opening comprises a chamfer or is rounded at a transition to the interior of the housing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
(1) Further embodiments are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of an impeller pump;
(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows an impeller wheel;
(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective side view of a housing of an impeller pump;
(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows a further embodiment of an impeller pump;
(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows a further embodiment of an impeller pump with a cross section in the shape of a polygon with six corners;
(7) FIG. 6 schematically shows a further embodiment of an impeller pump, the longitudinal extent of the inlet-opening cross section of which encloses an angle with the axis of rotation of the impeller wheel on a plane defined by the cross section;
(8) FIG. 7 shows the impeller pump from FIG. 6 in a schematic perspective side view;
(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of an impeller pump in a further embodiment;
(10) FIGS. 9-22 schematically show different polygonal embodiments of cross sections of the inlet or outlet; and
(11) FIGS. 23-25 schematically show different embodiments of cross sections, the longitudinal extent of which encloses an angle with the axis of rotation of the impeller wheel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(12) Exemplary embodiments are described in the following text with reference to the figures. Here, identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with identical reference signs in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is to some extent dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.
(13) The operating principle of an impeller pump is readily visible from the illustration according to FIG. 1. The housing 1 of the impeller pump has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3. Mounted in the interior of the housing 1 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation D in the direction of the arrow is an impeller wheel 4. The impeller wheel 4 has a plurality of impeller blades 5, the blade ends 6 of which bear against the inner wall 7 of the housing 1. The interior of the housing 1 is not formed in a rotationally symmetrical manner about the axis of rotation D, but is shaped such that the impeller blades 5 are not deformed or are deformed only slightly on moving from the inlet opening 8 to the outlet opening 9, while they are bent counter to the direction of rotation of the impeller wheel 4 on moving from the outlet opening 9 to the inlet opening 8. As a result, the volume between two impeller blades 5 is greater on moving from the inlet opening 8 to the outlet opening 9 than the volume on moving from the outlet opening 9 to the inlet opening 8, with the result that the medium to be pumped is delivered from the inlet opening 8 to the outlet opening.
(14) FIG. 2 illustrates an impeller wheel 4, the impeller blades 5 of which are reinforced at their ends 6 by a wire 10 in order to minimize the deformation of the blade end 6 on sweeping over the inlet opening 8 and the outlet opening 9.
(15) FIG. 3 shows a perspective side view of the housing of an impeller pump. The housing 1 of the impeller pump is assembled from two parts 1a, 1b, which are axially symmetrical to one another with respect to the axis R, along a dividing plane 11. Protrusions 12 on one housing part 1b, which engage in corresponding recesses 13 in the other housing part 1a and thus make it easier to assemble the two housing parts 1a, 1b, in this case ensure a slight deviation of the contact faces between the two parts 1a, 1b from the dividing plane. The two housing parts 1a, 1b are held together by a plurality of screw connections 14. Between the two housing parts 1a, 1b, sealing elements can be provided, which can also take on the function of the protrusions 12 and recesses 13, when for example a sealing element engages in a groove formed in both housing parts.
(16) The inlet opening 8 and the outlet opening (not shown) each have a cross section in the shape of a diamond-shaped polygon in this embodiment. As can also be seen from FIG. 3, the interior of the housing 1 of the impeller pump consists of a region in which the distance between the inner wall 7 and the axis of rotation D of the impeller wheel 4 is at a maximum, specifically when the impeller blades 5 move from the inlet opening 8 to the outlet opening 9. Furthermore, there is a region in which this distance is reduced, when the impeller blades 5 move from the outlet opening 9 to the inlet opening 8, in order to achieve deformation of the impeller blades 5.
(17) The continuous transition from the region with the maximum distance to the region with the minimum distance starts at the level of the maximum transverse extent of the diamond of the inlet opening 8 or of the outlet opening 9, that is to say approximately in the middle of the inlet opening 8 or of the outlet opening 9. The housing 1 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated without a side wall. Such a side wall can be produced separately from the two housing parts 1a, 1b and be connected to the corresponding housing part 1a for example by means of screwing or adhesive bonding. However, the housing part can also be produced with a side wall from the outset.
(18) Clamping screws 15 at the inlet 2 and at the outlet 3 can be used to connect connection pipes to the inlet 2 or outlet 3 of the housing 1.
(19) In FIG. 3 the elongate and narrow shape of the inlet opening 8 can also be seen, which has the result that the impeller blades 5 of the impeller wheel 4 (not illustrated in FIG. 3) are not pushed so greatly outwards and deformed by the occurring centrifugal forces on account of the rotation of the impeller wheel 4 and the elastic restoring forces on account of the deformation of the impeller blades 5, as in the case of impeller pumps in which the inlet opening extends over the entire width—or virtually the entire width—of the impeller blades and thus also of the housing interior. The outlet opening 9, which cannot be seen in FIG. 3, is generally formed identically to the inlet opening 8.
(20) Although the shape of the inlet opening 8 in FIG. 3 appears to be irregular on account of the irregular curvature of the inner wall 7, the cross section of the inlet opening 8, i.e. the view of the inlet opening 8 from the housing interior along the axis Z defined by the inlet, is in the shape of a regular diamond. This can be readily seen in FIG. 4, which shows a section through an impeller pump along a plane E perpendicular to the axis Z defined by the inlet.
(21) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the impeller pump in which the housing 1 is connected to a drive unit 16 which drives the impeller wheel 4 (not illustrated). In this illustration, the diamond shape of the cross section of the inlet opening 8 can be readily seen. The longitudinal extent L of the polygon, which extends in the dividing plane 11 between the two housing parts 1a, 1b, is approximately three times as long as the transverse extent Q in this embodiment. The length of the transverse extent Q is about a third of the width of the inner wall 7 of the housing, i.e. approximately a third of the width of the impeller blades 5. The polygon includes a plurality of straight line segments, the longitudinal extent L is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D, and the width of the polygon is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation D. Widths of the cross section vary along at least a part of the longitudinal extent.
(22) The embodiment of the impeller pump that is shown in FIG. 5 corresponds substantially to the one in FIG. 4, wherein the shape of the cross section is a polygon with six corners. The longitudinal extent L of the polygon, which extends in the dividing plane 11 between the two housing parts 1a, 1b, is approximately three times as long as the transverse extent Q in this embodiment. Compared to the cross section in FIG. 4, the cross section in FIG. 5 has a larger cross-sectional area, such that, under identical pressure conditions during pump operation, a greater volumetric flow can be delivered. The polygon includes a plurality of straight line segments, the longitudinal extent L is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D, and the width of the polygon is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation D. Widths of the cross section vary along at least a part of the longitudinal extent.
(23) FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an impeller pump, the structure of which corresponds substantially to that of the impeller pumps shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The impeller pump shown in FIG. 6 also has an inlet which has, on the side facing the housing interior, a cross section with a longitudinal extent L and a transverse extent Q, wherein the longitudinal extent L encloses an angle α with the axis of rotation D of the impeller wheel (not shown). In the present case, the angle α is 60°.
(24) The cross section of the inlet opening 8 in FIG. 6 is in the shape of an ellipse.
(25) However, alternatively, the angle α can also have other values, for example 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°. 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, or 85°, and be arranged in a positive and a negative direction of rotation.
(26) Generally, the longitudinal extent L of the inlet opening 8 and the longitudinal extent of the outlet opening 9 are arranged in a parallel manner. Alternatively, the two longitudinal extents can also be oriented in different manners.
(27) FIG. 7 shows the impeller pump from FIG. 6 in a schematic perspective side view. It is readily apparent here that, on moving along the inlet opening 8, an impeller blade comes into contact with the edges of the inlet opening 8 initially in the region of its one end. As the impeller blades continue to move, the contact points between the impeller blade and the edges of the inlet opening 8 move along the impeller blade into the region of the other end of the impeller blade. Therefore, after moving over the inlet opening 8, the impeller blade has come into contact with the edges of the inlet opening 8 substantially across its entire width, wherein the contact points have moved continuously. Since, as can be gathered from the detail in FIG. 23, the cross-sectional width b of the cross section parallel to the width of the impeller blade is only insignificantly wider than the transverse extent Q on account of the narrow, elongate form of the cross section, deformation of the impeller blade on moving over the inlet opening is limited to a minimum. Therefore, the impeller blade undergoes even and only slight wear substantially over its entire width, thereby allowing a long service life of the impeller wheel used.
(28) FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of an impeller pump in a further embodiment. The longitudinal extent L forms an angle α of 45° with the axis of rotation D in this case.
(29) In the embodiments of the impeller pump that are illustrated in the figures, the inlet 2 and the outlet 3 are in the shape of a circle at their outer ends facing away from the housing interior, in order for it to be possible to connect normal, round connection pipes easily to the inlet 2 and the outlet 3.
(30) In this regard, it is readily apparent from FIG. 8 that the area of the circle of the outer inlet opening 17 and the cross section of the inner inlet opening 8 are approximately the same size, in order to allow uniform transport of the medium to be pumped.
(31) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the circular cross section at the outer end, facing away from the housing interior, transitions to the elliptical cross section of the inlet opening 8 gradually, and thus without abrupt changes in the cross-sectional profile along the axis Z.
(32) FIGS. 9 to 25 schematically depict different embodiments of the cross section for the inlet and/or the outlet with their respective longitudinal extents L and their respective transverse extents Q.
(33) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 9 is a polygon in the shape of an elongated rectangle, such that an inlet with the shape of a rectangular oblong hole is formed.
(34) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 10 is a polygon in the shape of a regular diamond. The transverse extent Q and the longitudinal extent L therefore intersect in each case at their central points.
(35) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 11 is a polygon in the shape of a diamond, in which the transverse extent Q divides the longitudinal extent L in a ratio of 2:1.
(36) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 is a polygon in the shape of a hexagon.
(37) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 13 is a polygon in the shape of a further hexagon.
(38) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 14 corresponds to the one in FIG. 9, wherein the corners of the cross section are rounded so as to produce a rounded oblong hole. The radii of the roundings are selected in this case such that semicircular ends are formed.
(39) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 15 is in the shape of an ellipse. This is created in this case by rounding the corners of the polygon in FIG. 10.
(40) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 16 corresponds to the one in FIG. 11, wherein the corners are rounded such that the cross section has an “egg-shaped” shape.
(41) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 17 corresponds to the one in FIG. 12, wherein the corners located at the two ends as seen in the longitudinal extent L are rounded.
(42) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 18 corresponds to the one in FIG. 13, wherein the corners located at the two ends as seen in the longitudinal extent L are rounded, such that a single rounding has been produced at each of the corners.
(43) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 19 is a quadrilateral polygon, in which the longitudinal extent L coincides with the longest edge of the polygon.
(44) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 20 is an octagonal polygon, the transverse extent Q of which is constant as seen along the longitudinal extent L.
(45) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 21 corresponds to the one in FIG. 20, wherein the edges which have a component in the longitudinal extent L have different curvatures, such that a polygon with four corners has been produced, wherein an edge curved in an S shape has been formed from in each case three edges of the cross section in FIG. 20.
(46) In the cross sections shown in FIGS. 9 to 21, the longitudinal extent L and the transverse extent Q are each oriented perpendicularly to one another.
(47) As a rule, the longitudinal extent in these embodiments is arranged perpendicularly to the axis of rotation D. In the cross sections shown in FIGS. 9 to 21, the transverse extent Q extends accordingly parallel to the axis of rotation D of the impeller wheel. Alternatively, the longitudinal extent L and axis of rotation D can also enclose an angle.
(48) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 22 is a quadrilateral polygon in which the longitudinal extent L and the transverse extent Q are oriented at an angle other than 90°.
(49) FIGS. 23 to 25 depict schematically illustrated cross sections of the inlet opening or of the outlet opening, in which the longitudinal extent L encloses an angle α with the axis of rotation D.
(50) The cross section schematically shown in FIG. 23 is in the shape of an ellipse. Therefore, the longitudinal extent L coincides with the major axis of the ellipse and the transverse extent Q coincides with the minor axis of the ellipse. The angle α is about 60° in the present case. The reference sign b indicates the cross-sectional width parallel to the width of the impeller blades, and thus perpendicular to the axis of rotation D. This cross-sectional width b corresponds to that part of the impeller blade that does not come into contact with the housing wall during a movement along the opening. On account of the elliptical shape of the cross section, the cross-sectional width b varies depending on the position of the impeller blade at the opening defining the cross section.
(51) The cross section schematically shown in FIG. 24 is in the shape of a diamond. The angle α is about 45° in the present case. As a result of the specific configuration of the cross section, the transverse extent Q and the maximum cross-sectional width b, oriented thereto at an angle of accordingly likewise 45°, have more or less the same vector length.
(52) The cross section schematically illustrated in FIG. 25 corresponds to the one in FIG. 23, wherein the angle α is about 45° in the present case.
(53) Where applicable, all the individual features which are illustrated in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and/or exchanged for one another, without departing from the scope of the invention.
