Turbomachine

Abstract

A turbomachine has a housing with at least one flow channel, an impeller which is arranged in the housing, and a drive motor. The drive motor is used to drive the impeller in order to suction a fluid into the housing through the at least one flow channel and/or to convey the fluid out of the housing through the at least one flow channel. The housing is produced by an additive manufacturing process. Further disclosed is a turbomachine in which the impeller is produced in an injection molding method and is molded directly onto the rotor of a drive motor designed as an external rotor motor.

Claims

1. A turbomachine comprising: a housing with at least one flow channel; a runner which is arranged in the housing; and a drive motor for driving the runner in a rotational movement about a rotational axis, in order to suck a fluid through the at least one flow channel and/or to convey the fluid out of the housing through the at least one flow channel; wherein, the housing is produced by additive manufacturing.

2. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing in its entirety is produced in one piece.

3. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the runner is configured to deflect fluid flow from an axial direction into a radial direction with regard to the rotational axis.

4. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one flow channel is an outflow channel which extends away from the runner in the tangential and/or radial direction with regard to the rotational axis and is configured to convey the fluid out of the housing.

5. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outflow channel opens outward from the housing in the tangential and/or radial direction with regard to the rotational axis.

6. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outflow channel opens outward from the housing in the axial direction with regard to the rotational axis.

7. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one flow channel is an inflow channel which extends toward the runner in such a way that fluid which is sucked in through the inflow channel impinges on the runner in the axial direction with regard to the rotational axis and centrally.

8. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inflow channel opens outward from the housing in the tangential and/or radial direction with regard to the rotational axis.

9. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has a cuboid shape.

10. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rive motor is an external rotor motor with a stator and with a rotor which surrounds the stator, and wherein the runner is produced by injection molding and is molded directly onto the rotor.

11. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has an interior space for receiving the drive motor and the runner, and wherein the drive motor is attached to a cover plate which is configured to close the interior space toward the outside.

12. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an electronic unit configured to control the drive motor and arranged in the interior space of the housing and attached to the cover plate.

13. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the runner comprises backward curved blades.

14. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a particle filter arranged in a region of the at least one flow channel.

15. The turbomachine comprising a runner; and a drive motor, configured as an external rotor motor, with a stator and a rotor which surrounds the stator for driving the runner in a rotational movement about a rotational axis, in order to suck in and convey a fluid, wherein, the runner is produced by means of injection molding and is molded directly onto the rotor.

16. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turbomachine in its entirety has a cuboid shape.

17. The turbomachine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the particle filter is a HEPA filter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the following text on the basis of the drawings which serve merely for explanatory purposes, are not to be interpreted as restrictive, and in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view obliquely from the rear of a first embodiment of a turbomachine according to the invention,

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a view of the turbomachine from FIG. 1 from the side,

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a view of the rear side of the turbomachine from FIG. 1,

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a view of the front side of the turbomachine from FIG. 1,

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a central sectional view along the plane V-V indicated in FIG. 2 of the turbomachine from FIG. 1,

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a shows a central sectional view along the plane VI-VI indicated in FIG. 3 of the turbomachine from FIG. 1,

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along the plane VII-VII indicated in FIG. 2 of the turbomachine from FIG. 1,

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view along the plane VIII-VIII indicated in FIG. 3 of the turbomachine from FIG. 1,

[0057] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the runner, attached to the drive motor, of the turbomachine from FIG. 1, including the cover plate,

[0058] FIG. 10 shows a view of the runner, attached to the drive motor, of the turbomachine from FIG. 1, including the cover plate, from the side,

[0059] FIG. 11 shows a view of the runner, attached to the drive motor, of the turbomachine from FIG. 1, including the cover plate, from the front,

[0060] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view obliquely from the rear of a second embodiment of the turbomachine according to the invention,

[0061] FIG. 13 shows a view of the turbomachine from FIG. 12 from the side,

[0062] FIG. 14 shows a central sectional view along the plane XIV-XIV indicated in FIG. 13 of the turbomachine from FIG. 12,

[0063] FIG. 15 shows a central sectional view along the plane XV-XV indicated in FIG. 14 of the turbomachine from FIG. 12,

[0064] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view obliquely from the rear of a third embodiment of a turbomachine according to the invention,

[0065] FIG. 17 shows a view of the turbomachine from FIG. 16 from the side,

[0066] FIG. 18 shows a central sectional view along the plane XVIII-XVIII indicated in FIG. 17 of the turbomachine from FIG. 16,

[0067] FIG. 19 shows a central sectional view along the plane XIX-XIX indicated in FIG. 18 of the turbomachine from FIG. 16,

[0068] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the runner, attached to the drive motor, of the turbomachine from FIG. 16, including the cover plate,

[0069] FIG. 21 shows a view of the runner, attached to the drive motor, of the turbomachine from FIG. 16, including the cover plate, from the side,

[0070] FIG. 22 shows a view of the runner, attached to the drive motor, of the turbomachine from FIG. 16, including the cover plate, from the front,

[0071] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view obliquely from the rear of a fourth embodiment of the turbomachine according to the invention,

[0072] FIG. 24 shows a central sectional view of the turbomachine from FIG. 23,

[0073] FIG. 25 shows a central sectional view along the plane XXV-XXV indicated in FIG. 24 of the turbomachine from FIG. 23,

[0074] FIG. 26 shows a perspective view obliquely from the rear of a fifth embodiment of the turbomachine according to the invention,

[0075] FIG. 27 shows a view of the turbomachine from FIG. 26 from the side,

[0076] FIG. 28 shows a central sectional view along the plane XXIV-XXIV indicated in FIG. 27 of the turbomachine from FIG. 26, and

[0077] FIG. 29 shows a central sectional view along the plane XXIX-XXIX indicated in FIG. 28 of the turbomachine from FIG. 26.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0078] FIGS. 1 to 29 show different preferred embodiments of turbomachines according to the invention which in each case serve to convey a gas, in particular air, in a ventilation unit. The ventilation unit is preferably a CPAP unit. Elements which fulfill an identical or at least similar function but belong to different embodiments are provided in each case with the same designations.

[0079] FIGS. 1 to 4 show different outer views of a first embodiment of a turbomachine according to the invention. As can be seen clearly from these FIGS., the turbomachine overall has a highly compact, cuboid shape. The form of the turbomachine is similar to that of a customary cigarette packet. This cassette-like overall design not only makes simple insertion and removal of the turbomachine in and from the ventilation unit possible, but rather also space-saving storage of a multiplicity of turbomachines of this type. As a result, the turbomachines can be stacked, in particular.

[0080] The first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 1 to 8) of a turbomachine has a cuboid housing 1 which is configured in its entirety in one piece. From the outside, merely a circular opening which is closed by way of a cover plate 4 and an inlet orifice 15 and outlet orifice 16 can be seen on the housing 1. The inlet orifice 15 and the outlet orifice 16 are arranged next to one another on a narrow end side of the housing 1. The opening which is closed by the cover plate 4 is situated on the large-area rear side of the housing 1.

[0081] The external dimensions of the housing are preferably 50?20?70 mm or 50?20?60 mm.

[0082] A control and power supply cable 33 is routed out of the housing 1 on the end side which lies opposite the inlet orifice 15 and the outlet orifice 16. This cable 33 serves to supply a drive motor 3 arranged in the housing interior with electric energy. Moreover, signals can be transmitted via the control and power supply cable 33, in order to actuate and to control the drive motor 3.

[0083] The housing 1 is produced by means of additive manufacturing and can accordingly have a surface roughness which is increased in comparison with conventional production processes.

[0084] The housing 1 has an interior space 11 which is covered towards the rear side by the cover plate 4. The drive motor 3 with the runner 2 attached to it is arranged in the interior space 11. The drive motor 3 and the runner 2 fill the interior space 11 almost completely. The interior space 11 is delimited by inner faces of the housing 1 which are adapted to the outer shape of the runner 2. In a manner which is adjacent radially with respect to the runner 2, the housing 1 forms a peripheral flow channel 14 which extends around the runner 2.

[0085] The drive motor 3 is an external rotor motor with a stator 31 and a rotor 32 which surrounds it. The stator 31 is attached fixedly to the cover plate 4 and, as a result, in a stationary manner in relation to the housing 1. During operation of the turbomachine, the rotor 32 rotates about a rotational axis R which extends perpendicularly with respect to the outer faces of the front and rear side of the housing 1. The drive motor 3 is preferably a brushless DC motor.

[0086] The runner 2 which can also be called a fan impeller is attached to the radial outer side of the rotor 32. The runner 2 is advantageously produced in its entirety in one piece and using the injection molding process, for example from a plastic material. Here, the runner 2 is preferably molded directly onto the radial outer side of the rotor 32, more preferably directly onto the bell-shaped armature of the drive motor 3, that is to say the runner 2 is already attached to the rotor 32 during its production.

[0087] An outflow channel 13 extends in the radial and, above all, tangential direction toward the outlet orifice 16 from the interior space 11 and from the peripheral flow channel 14. The flow channel 13 extends from the interior space 11 as far as the outlet orifice 16 within the same plane which lies perpendicularly with respect to the rotational axis R. During operation of the turbomachine, the fluid which is conveyed by the runner 2 passes from the interior space 11 through the outflow channel 13 to the outlet orifice 16. A ventilation hose which leads to a patient can be connected to the outlet orifice 16.

[0088] An inflow channel 12 extends from the inlet orifice 15 toward the runner 2 in such a way that the fluid which is sucked in through the inflow channel 12 impinges on the runner 2 centrally from the front side and in the axial direction with regard to the rotational axis R. To this end, the inflow channel 12 extends from the inlet orifice 15 first of all slightly toward the front side of the housing 1 and subsequently upstream of the outflow channel 13 and the interior space 11 toward the rotational axis R (see FIGS. 5-7). As viewed in the direction from the front to the rear side of the housing 1 (FIGS. 6 and 8), the inflow channel 12 tapers continuously as far as the rotational axis R. It widens, however, in the directions which lie perpendicularly with respect thereto (FIGS. 5 and 7). In the region of the rotational axis R, the inflow channel 12 opens in the axial direction into the interior space 11.

[0089] During operation of the turbomachine, the fluid which can be a gas such as, for example, air is sucked in by the rotating fan impeller 2 through the inlet opening 15 into the inflow channel 12. The fluid then passes through the inflow channel 12 to the front side of the runner 2. In the region of the rotational axis R, the fluid which flows in through the inflow channel 12 is deflected by approximately 90?, with the result that is impinges centrally on the front side of the runner 2 and is captured by the latter. The axially in-flowing fluid is again deflected by approximately 90? and conveyed to the outside in the radial direction by the runner 2. From there, it passes into the peripheral flow channel 14 and, via the latter, into the outflow channel 13. The fluid is ejected from the housing 1 through the outflow channel 13 and the outlet orifice 16.

[0090] Both the inflow channel 12 and the outflow channel 13 therefore extend in each case completely in the interior of the housing 1, and form a comparatively complex three-dimensional structure together with the interior space 11. By means of conventional production processes and, in particular, by means of production processes which are based on casting molds, a complex structure of this type of the housing 1 could not readily be realized in one piece. Additive manufacturing makes this possible, however, and makes an even more compact, optimum overall design of the housing 1 possible as a result.

[0091] The parallel arrangement of the inlet orifice 15 and the outlet orifice 16 make a particularly space-saving arrangement of connector lines possible. Since the fluid flow is deflected both in the inflow channel 12 and in the outflow channel 13, the runner 2 is visible neither through the inlet orifice 15 nor through the outlet orifice 16. The noise generated by the runner 2 cannot pass to the outside on a direct path as a result, but rather is reflected multiple times in the interior of the housing 1 and in the process is absorbed at least in part, which results in a clearly perceivable noise reduction toward the outside.

[0092] It can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7 that the housing 1 of the present embodiment has cavities 18. The cavities 18 are in each case enclosed completely by the material of the housing 1, which is simply possible on account of the additive manufacturing during production. The cavities 18 permit material savings and, as a result, make a less expensive and lighter housing 1 possible. Moreover, cavities can also serve, however, to reduce noise emissions of the turbomachine. To this end, the cavities are advantageously filled partially or completely with a powder which has a vibration-absorbing and noise-absorbing effect. This is preferably the additive powder which is used in any case during the additive production process for the housing 1. Instead of the additive powder being ejected from the cavities 18 during the production in the regions of these cavities 18, it therefore preferably remains in them. In this way, a particularly low-vibration and quiet turbomachine can be achieved with low production effort.

[0093] The runner 2 can be seen clearly, in particular, in FIGS. 9 to 11. It has a circular base plate 21 which has a central opening, in which the drive motor 3 is arranged. The base plate 21 is curved slightly forward toward the center or toward the opening. In the region of the opening, the base plate 22 can have a second portion or, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, can merge into a retaining ring 23 which establishes the connection to the rotor 32 of the drive motor 3. Blades 22 which extend in each case from the retaining ring 23 as far as the outer edge of the base plate 21 are attached at regular spacings to the front side of the base plate 21. The blades 22 in each case have an approximately constant height along the extent from the inner edge to the outer edge of the base plate 21. On account of the curvature of the base plate 21, the blades 22 in each case rise slightly forward toward the center.

[0094] The blades 22 are curved backward; that is to say, they are curved backward in each case with regard to the rotational direction when the runner 2 rotates, from the center of the base plate 21 to the outside. In the view of FIG. 11, the runner 2 therefore correctly rotates in the counterclockwise direction. As a result of the backward curved blades 22, the runner is configured to generate a particularly high pressure during operation.

[0095] A differential pressure between the inlet orifice 15 and the outlet orifice 16 of up to 17 mbar in the case of a degree of efficiency of 40% was able to be achieved by way of a turbomachine which was realized in accordance with the present exemplary embodiment.

[0096] A second embodiment of a turbomachine according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. The embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 15 differs from that according to FIGS. 1 to 11 in that the outlet orifice 16 is not arranged parallel to the inlet orifice 15 here, but rather is directed in the axial direction. The outlet orifice 16 is bordered by an outlet port 17 which extends away from the rear side of the housing 1 parallel to the rotational axis R, but spaced apart from the latter. In the case of this embodiment, the inlet orifice 15 and the outlet orifice 16 therefore have directions which lie perpendicularly on one another. The provision of the connector port 17 facilitates the coupling of, for example, a ventilation hose to the outlet orifice 16.

[0097] Furthermore, the present embodiment differs from that of FIGS. 1 to 11 in that a HEPA filter 6 is provided in the region of the inlet orifice. The HEPA filter 6 is a particle filter which prevents the penetration of particles such as dust, etc. into the interior of the housing 1.

[0098] Moreover, it can be seen in FIG. 15 that an electronic unit 5 is additionally arranged in the interior space 11. The electronic unit 5 which is attached to the cover plate 4 serves to actuate and to control the drive motor 3. The electronic unit 5 can also comprise sensors, for example for measuring the rotational speed, the temperature and/or vibrations. The electronic unit 5 might also comprise an RFID or a wireless connecting unit such as, for example, a Bluetooth unit, in order, for example, to make a detection by way of the ventilation unit possible, in order that, for example, only a certain type of turbomachines can be connected. An energy store such as, for example, one or more batteries might optionally also be arranged in the interior space 11 and attached to the cover plate 4, in order to supply the drive motor 3 with electric energy.

[0099] As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, the housing 1 here has a plurality of bores 19 which serve to fasten the turbomachine, for example, in a ventilation unit. In order to damp vibrations and noise emissions, nails or screws which are produced from an elastic rubber material are preferably guided through the bores 19 for fastening purposes. In particular, elastic nails are known for use in the field of ventilators.

[0100] FIGS. 16 to 22 show a further embodiment which corresponds substantially to that of FIGS. 12 to 15, but comprises a runner 2 with a cover disk 24. The cover disk 24 which is attached to the blades 22 on the front side of the runner 2 can be seen in FIGS. 19 to 22. On account of the cover disk 24, the flow channels between the blades 22 are delimited in each case not only to the rear and to the side, but rather also to the front, as a result of which fewer turbulences occur in the region of the runner during operation.

[0101] A further fourth embodiment of the turbomachine according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 23 to 25. This embodiment correspond substantially to that of FIGS. 1 to 11, wherein no cavities 18 are provided here, however, but rather bores 19. The bores 19 serve to fasten the turbomachine, for example, to a ventilation unit. To this end, the fastening means such as, for example, nails or screws which can be produced, in particular, from an elastic rubber material can be guided through the bores 19. Instead of the cavities 18, material reductions in the form of cutouts are provided in each case around the bores 19 in the upper corner regions in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 25, in contrast to that of FIGS. 1 to 11. In this way, the material consumption during the production can be reduced and the housing 1 can be produced so as to be lighter.

[0102] FIGS. 26 to 29 show a fifth embodiment of a turbomachine according to the invention which will be described in the following text on the basis of the differences from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11. Here, the housing 1 is produced with less material and is therefore lighter than the housing of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11. This is achieved by the upper corner regions along the interior space 11 being of rounded configuration. Moreover, the inlet orifice 15 and the outlet orifice 16 are in each case configured within a port, as a result of which the material consumption around in each case the two ports is reduced. In addition to the lower material consumption, the ports also entail the advantage, however, that the coupling of hoses is facilitated. Thus, for example, a fresh air feed hose can be coupled to the inlet port, and a ventilation hose can be coupled to the outlet port 17. The shape of the housing 1 can be adapted particularly simply on account of the additive manufacturing.

[0103] It goes without saying that the invention described herein is not restricted to the abovementioned embodiments, and a multiplicity of modifications are possible. It would thus be conceivable, for example, for the drive motor to be arranged outside the turbomachine or outside the housing. The flow channels which extend in the interior of the housing might also run differently and/or the number might be greater. It would thus be possible, for example, that there were a plurality of inflow channels and/or a plurality of outflow channels, in order to suck in the fluid and to convey it out of the housing, respectively. The runner can have any desired other configuration than that which is proposed in the preceding embodiments. The blades might thus also be forward curved or not curved at all, for example. The turbomachines which are shown in the exemplary embodiments are in each case radial turbomachines. Instead, the turbomachine might also be an axial turbomachine, however, in the case of which the fluid flows along the rotational axis into the housing and to the runner and leaves the housing again along the rotational axis. In this case, the housing and the runner would in each case have completely different configurations than those described in relation to the preceding exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, it would be conceivable, for example, to provide connector pins on the outer side of the housing instead of the control and power supply cable 33, in order to make the transmission of electric energy and/or signals possible. A multiplicity of further modifications are conceivable.