Impeller for a regenerative turbine fuel pump
US5762469A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04D29/2277
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An impeller for use in a regenerative pump for pumping automotive fuel to an engine includes a plurality of vanes radially extending from a core. Each vane has a leading surface, a trailing surface, and a sidewall between the leading surface and the trailing surface. A plurality of partitions is interposed between the vanes such that the vanes and partitions define a plurality of vane grooves. Fuel is then pumped by the vanes through the vane grooves such that the fuel flows along a generally spiral path thereby defining a primary vortex. A relief is formed at least partially along the length of each vane at the intersection between the trailing surface and the sidewall. This relief causes the fuel flowing along the generally spiral path, also known as the primary vortex, to also rotate about an instantaneous axis thereby defining a secondary vortex. The secondary vortex has the benefit of reducing turbulence with the attendant benefit of reducing cavitation or vapor generation within the fuel pump.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.