Cast titanium compressor wheel
US6629556B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2300/133
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A compressor wheel is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness. The invention further concerns an economical method for operating an internal combustion engine, comprising providing said engine with an easily manufactured, long-life titanium compressor wheel and driving the titanium compressor wheel at high RPM for increasing combustion air throughput and density.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.