Abstract
A turbine having a turbine wheel, as used for example as a drive for active oil separators, and to a liquid separator having such a turbine is described.
Claims
1. A turbine comprising a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel having a first channel running along an axis of rotation of the turbine wheel, and a second channel, running substantially in a radial direction, for guiding a fluidic drive medium, said second channel having an inlet and an outlet for the fluidic drive medium, wherein the inlet is fluidically connected to the first channel and the outlet is directed substantially in a tangential direction of the turbine wheel, wherein the turbine has a fluid nozzle in the outlet, and wherein a metal and/ or ceramic reinforcement including stiffening ribs is arranged in at least one section of a wall of at least one of the first and second channels wherein the first channel and the second channel, with the exception of the outlet, each extends substantially rectilinearly, and wherein the stiffening ribs of the metal and/or ceramic reinforcement of said at least one of the first channel and second channels, and the fluid nozzle, contain or are made of stainless steel, brass, copper, die-cast zinc, die-cast aluminum, sintered metal and/or at least one technical ceramic.
2. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the fluid nozzle is formed in one piece with the turbine wheel.
3. The turbine according to claim 2, wherein the fluid nozzle is inserted in the second channel as a separate component in the region of the outlet and contains or is made of a metal and/or a ceramic.
4. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first channel is designed to receive a shaft or is formed in an extension of the receptacle for a shaft.
5. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the entire wail of the first channel and/or of the second channel has a metal reinforcement.
6. The turbine according to the claim 5, wherein the metal reinforcement forms an inner wall of the first channel and/or second channel and/or of the fluid nozzle.
7. The turbine according to claim 6, wherein the metal reinforcement of the first channel has, in a region of connection to the second channel, a cutout in which the metal reinforcement of the second channel is inserted and/or in Which the metal reinforcement of the second channel is welded, soldered or crimped to the metal reinforcement in the first channel.
8. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the turbine wheel is formed of two half-shells which, in order to form the turbine wheel, are joined together along a plane that is transverse to the axis of rotation of the turbine wheel or transverse to the direction of the outlet.
9. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein an impeller or a sealing element acting as further functional components, is arranged on a top side of the turbine wheel.
10. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening ribs are outside of the channels.
11. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the turbine wheel has a housing, wherein the stiffening ribs as reinforcing structures, are arranged within the housing.
12. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the turbine wheel, including an upper and/or lower surface of the turbine wheel, and/or a housing thereof are made of or contain plastic, including fibre-reinforced or filler-filled plastic.
13. The turbine according to claim 12, wherein the plastic is or contains polyphenylene, sulphide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyester resin (UP), vinyl ester resin (VE), epoxy resin (EP), phenol resin (PF), melamine formaldehyde resins (MF), or a combination of the aforementioned materials.
14. The turbine according to claim 13, wherein one or more of the following types of fibre are used as reinforcing fibres: carbon fibres, glass fibres, polyester fibres and/or aramid fibres.
15. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the turbine wheel and/or a housing thereof can be partially or entirely manufactured by an injection moulding, injection-compression moulding and/or transfer moulding process and/or by pressing.
16. The turbine according to claim 15, wherein the metal and/or ceramic reinforcement is embedded in the turbine wheel.
17. A liquid separator for separating liquid droplets and/or liquid mist, including oil droplets and/or oil mist, out of a gas, including blow-by gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising a rotatably mounted separating element and a drive element for rotatably driving the separating element, wherein the drive element comprises a turbine according to claim 1.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Hereinbelow, identical or similar reference signs will be used for identical or similar components in the individual examples, and therefore the description of said reference signs will not always be repeated. In the figures:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through a liquid separator according to the invention,
(3) FIG. 2 shows a horizontal section through a first exemplary embodiment of a turbine according to the invention,
(4) FIG. 3A shows a horizontal section through a second exemplary embodiment of a turbine according to the invention, from a top side,
(5) FIG. 3B shows a vertical section through the second exemplary embodiment,
(6) FIG. 3C shows a view of the turbine according to the second exemplary embodiment, from a bottom side,
(7) FIG. 4A shows a horizontal section through a turbine according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment,
(8) FIG. 4B shows a vertical section through a turbine according to the invention according to the third exemplary embodiment,
(9) FIG. 5A shows a horizontal section through a turbine according to the invention according to a fourth exemplary embodiment,
(10) FIG. 5B shows a vertical section through a turbine according to the fourth exemplary embodiment,
(11) FIG. 6A shows a horizontal section through a turbine according to a fifth exemplary embodiment,
(12) FIG. 6B shows a vertical section through a turbine according to the fifth exemplary embodiment,
(13) FIG. 7 shows a horizontal section through a turbine according to a sixth exemplary embodiment,
(14) FIG. 8A shows a horizontal section through a turbine according to a seventh exemplary embodiment,
(15) FIG. 8B shows a vertical section through a turbine according to the seventh exemplary embodiment, and
(16) FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a turbine according to an eighth exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(17) FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through a liquid separator 1 according to the invention. The liquid separator 1 has a housing 4, which is divided into a drive chamber 7 and a separation chamber 5. The drive chamber 7 and the separation chamber 5 are separated from one another by a partition wall 6. A disc separator 2 is arranged in the separation chamber 5, said disc separator having a plurality of discs 3 stacked one above the other as separating elements. The disc separator 2 is fastened, in the axis of rotation thereof, to a shaft 8. The shaft 8 extends into the drive chamber 7 through an opening in the partition wall 6. In the drive chamber 7, the shaft 8 is rotatably mounted on a bearing 9. In the drive chamber 7, a turbine 10 is also fastened to the shaft 8. The turbine 10 drives the disc separator 2 by means of a drive fluid, such as engine oil for example. When the liquid separator 1 is operated as an oil separator in an internal combustion engine, engine oil flows as the drive fluid through a central bore 8b in the interior of the shaft 8. The arrow 38 indicates the direction in which the engine oil is supplied. In the region of the turbine 10, the engine oil passes from the shaft 8 into the turbine 10 via a lateral bore 8a in the shaft 8, is conducted to the circumferential edge of the turbine 10 due to the rotation of the turbine wheel, and is discharged again through a fluid nozzle 14 which is directed approximately in a tangential direction. The turbine wheel is set in rotation as a result, and the disc separator 2 fixedly connected to the turbine 10 via the shaft 8 is thereby driven.
(18) FIG. 2 shows a horizontal section through a turbine 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The turbine 10 has an approximately rotationally symmetrical turbine wheel 10a, which has along its central axis a first channel 11 for receiving a shaft. Leading away from the first channel 11 in an approximately radial direction is a second channel 13 for guiding the drive fluid to the circumferential edge of the turbine wheel 10a. The second channel 13 has an inlet 13a at the first channel 11 and an outlet 25 on the circumferential edge of the turbine wheel 10a. In the region of the circumferential edge, the second channel 13 has an approximately right-angled bend, so that the outlet is directed approximately in a tangential direction. The turbine has a plastic casing 15 along the circumferential edge and also along the walls of the first and second channel 11 and 13. Furthermore, within the first channel 11, a metal reinforcement 17 is arranged in the plastic casing 15, on the channel side thereof, said metal reinforcement being directly adjacent to the plastic casing 15. A metal tube 12 is arranged inside the entire second channel 13, including the fluid nozzle 14, on the surface of the plastic casing 15. In the region of the inlet 13a of the second channel 13, the metal reinforcement 17 has a cutout 11a, into which the metal tube 12 is introduced. The metal tube 12 tapers conically towards the outlet 25 and thus forms a fluid nozzle 14, which is thus formed in the turbine wheel 10a in one piece with the turbine wheel 10a.
(19) FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a second exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention. FIG. 3A shows a horizontal section through the turbine 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the second channel 13 has two openings 24 and 25 on the circumferential edge 16, said openings being arranged approximately diametrically and pointing in different directions. The second opening 24 is formed by the manufacturing process, since the second channel 13 has been formed by a channel-forming tool which has been pulled back out through the second opening 24 once the turbine wheel 10a has been formed. The second opening 24 is closed by a stopper 21 as a closure element with a seal 22 and by a slide 23 as a securing element for the stopper 21, which prevents the stopper 21 from being pushed out. The slide 23 engages through the upper wall of the channel 13 into a small slot-like widening of the second channel 13. By means of the closure element 21, the second channel 13 is closed in a fluid-tight manner at the second opening 24. The outlet 25 of the second channel 13 is arranged as a first opening approximately diametrically opposite thereto, this being angled approximately in a tangential direction. In the outlet 25, a metal threaded component 18 having a fluid nozzle 14 is screwed into the turbine wheel 10a. The external thread 19 of the fluid nozzle 14 is formed in the metal of the threaded component 18. The internal thread 20 may be formed directly in the plastic casing 15 or may form as the external thread 19 of the fluid nozzle 14 is being screwed in. Centring and fastening devices 50 for fastening an impeller 49 are arranged on the top side of the turbine.
(20) FIG. 3B shows a view of the turbine of FIG. 3A along the line A-A. An impeller 49 is arranged on the top side of the turbine, for example in order to generate a vacuum and/or as an element of the sealing system. Here, the slide 23 is formed in one piece with the impeller 49. The impeller 49 is fastened to the centring and fastening devices 50. A connection piece 40 is also arranged on the top side of the turbine 10, in the centre thereof, said connection piece being provided for guiding and easier holding of the shaft.
(21) FIG. 3C shows a view from a bottom side of the turbine of the second exemplary embodiment. The turbine wheel 10a has longitudinal and transverse ribs 35 arranged in a lattice-like manner, as well as a rib 34 along the circumferential edge 16 for reinforcing and strengthening the turbine wheel 10a. As an alternative to the uniform arrangement of the ribs 35 shown here, an irregular arrangement is also possible. By arranging the ribs irregularly in a certain way, the turbine can for example be correctly balanced. The ribs 34 and 35 can also be used to conduct the oil away or to reduce the noise produced.
(22) FIGS. 4A and 4B show a third exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention, in a horizontal sectional view (4A) and in a vertical sectional view (4B). The horizontal sectional view runs approximately at half the height of the second channel 13. In a manner differing from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the second channel 13 runs only in a radial direction from the first channel 11 to the circumferential edge 16, in a largely rectilinear manner. At the circumferential edge 16, the outlet 25 is branched off perpendicularly, that is to say in a tangential direction, from the rest of the second channel 13. A metal fluid nozzle 18 is likewise screwed into the outlet 25, the counter-thread 20 being formed directly in the plastic casing 15. The region between the wall 16a at the circumferential edge 16 and the wall of the channels 11, 13 is largely configured as a cavity, and the reinforcing ribs, which are necessary for balancing the weight of the turbine wheel 10a, have not been shown.
(23) Here, the shaft 8 does not extend through the turbine 10 as in FIG. 1, but rather ends in a connection piece 40 on the top side of the turbine wheel 10a. The shaft 8 is thus separated from the first channel 11 by a partition wall 41. The turbine 10 is mounted by way of a connection piece 42 which protrudes on the bottom side. The oil enters the first channel 11 through an opening 11a on the bottom side of the turbine wheel 10a, said opening being arranged centrally in relation to the connection piece 42.
(24) FIGS. 5A and 5B show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention, in a horizontal sectional view (5A) and in a vertical sectional view (5B). In a manner differing from the third exemplary embodiment, the turbine 10 in this exemplary embodiment is divided horizontally into an upper shell 26 and a lower shell 27. Between the shells, a sealing element 28 is arranged along the circumferential edge 16 and along the walls of the first and second channel 11 and 13. Furthermore, a cavity 37 is arranged in the interior of the turbine wheel 10a . Said cavity serves to reduce the overall weight of the turbine 10 and/or to balance the turbine 10. Reinforcing ribs, which bring about the precise balancing, are not shown here.
(25) FIGS. 6A and 6B show a fifth exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention. FIG. 6A shows a horizontal section through the turbine 10. As in the third and fourth exemplary embodiment, the second channel 13 runs rectilinearly in a radial direction from the first channel 11 to the circumferential edge 16, at which point the outlet 25 is angled in a tangential direction perpendicularly to the rest of the second channel 13. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the first and second channel 11 and 13 have metal reinforcements 12 and 17, wherein the metal reinforcement 12 of the second channel 13 is a metal tube which, in the region of the inlet 13a, is inserted into an opening and cutout 11a of the metal reinforcement 17. A fluid nozzle 14 is screwed into the outlet 25. In a manner differing from the preceding exemplary embodiments, the counter-thread 29 for the fluid nozzle is formed not in the plastic casing 15 but rather in the metal tube 12.
(26) FIG. 6B shows a vertical section through the turbine 10 along the line C-C. The turbine of the fifth exemplary embodiment is likewise divided into an upper shell 26 and a lower shell 27. The two shells 26, 27 can be connected by means of a latching closure. The latching closure comprises latching protrusions 30 arranged on the lower shell 27 and engagement means 31 arranged on the upper shell 26, behind which the latching protrusions 30 engage when the lower shell 27 and the upper shell 26 are brought together.
(27) FIG. 7 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention, in a horizontal sectional view. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, the turbine wheel 10a is not rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation 39 but rather has a second channel 13 only on one half-side of the turbine 10, said second channel being configured as in the fifth exemplary embodiment. On the half-side of the turbine 10 opposite to the second channel 13, the turbine wheel 10a has only a compensating body 36 as a counter-weight to the second channel 13 or for adjusting the imbalance. The first channel 11 is likewise configured as in the fifth exemplary embodiment.
(28) FIGS. 8A and 8B show a seventh exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention, in a horizontal sectional view (8A) and in a vertical sectional view (8B). Here, too, the turbine wheel 10a is not rotationally symmetrical in relation to the axis of rotation 39, as was already the case in the sixth exemplary embodiment. On the half-side of the turbine opposite to the second channel 13, the turbine wheel 10a has only compensating bodies 36, wherein the compensating body 36 here is cut open so that the cavity that exists therein is visible. In addition, the compensating body 36 in FIGS. 8A and 8B is smaller, in terms of its external dimensions, than that in FIG. 7, since here the half-side that includes the second channel 13 has a lower weight and therefore a lower compensating weight is necessary on the opposite side in order to adjust the imbalance. The second channel 13 is configured here as in the second exemplary embodiment, that is to say only with a plastic casing 15 but with no metal reinforcement. Here, the fluid nozzle is formed in a ceramic element 18, which is screwed into the plastic body of the turbine wheel 10a.
(29) Here, the shaft 8 is injection-moulded directly into the plastic body 15 or is overmoulded with the plastic body 15 and thus is accommodated in the first channel 11. The shaft 8 has two annularly running grooves 45a , 45b on its outer surface in the region of the turbine wheel 10a , an O-ring 44a , 44b being accommodated in each of said grooves. In the case of overmoulding, the grooves 45a , 45b are not only filled but are pressed onto the O-rings so that a sealed connection is achieved between the turbine wheel 10a and the shaft. The central bore 8b of the shaft is also shown here, through which the engine oil is introduced in the direction 38. The engine oil enters the second channel 13 via the opening 8a in the side wall of the shaft.
(30) FIG. 9 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of a turbine 10 according to the invention, in an axial plan view.
(31) The outer contour of the turbine 10 in this exemplary embodiment differs from the outer contour of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 6. While in the preceding exemplary embodiments a substantially circular outer geometry was selected, apart from the cutout at the outlet of the nozzle 14, here a spiral-shaped outer geometry is used, that is to say that the outer circumferential line of the turbine 10 runs inward in the manner of a spiral. This also results in an off-centre arrangement of the shaft 8 and of the first channel 11.
