Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A regenerative rotodynamic machine, wherein a rotary disc-like impeller has a portion adjacent its periphery that extends radially through an annular chamber in the casing concentric with the impeller which chamber is wider than the impeller so that an annular side channel is thereby provided in the casing on at least one side of the impeller, and radially inward of its outer peripheral surface the portion of the impeller within the annular chamber is formed, on the side where lies said annular side channel, with an annular cavity or scooped out recess in its side wall in which is disposed a ring of aerodynamic blades that have a radial extent less than the radial extent of the cavity or recess, the fluid flow passing peripherally around the annular chamber from an inlet to an outlet and also during this passage circulating a number of times radially outward through the aerodynamic blading in the impeller cavity and radially inward in the annular side channel alongside the impeller outside the cavity, the forward peripheral component of velocity of the fluid at the trailing edges of the blades being greater than the forward velocity of said trailing edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A regenerative rotodynamic machine, wherein a rotary disc-like impeller has a portion adjacent its periphery that extends radially through an annular chamber in the casing concentric with the impeller which chamber is wider than the impeller so that an annular side channel is thereby provided in the casing on at least one side of the impeller, and radially inward of its outer peripheral surface the portion of the impeller within the annular chamber is formed, on the side where lies said annular side channel, with an annular cavity or scooped out recess in its side wall in which is disposed a ring of aerodynamic blades that have a radial extent less than the radial extent of the cavity or recess, the fluid flow passing peripherally around the annular chamber from an inlet to an outlet and also during this passage circulating a number of times radially outward through the aerodynamic blading in the impeller cavity and radially inward in the annular side channel alongside the impeller outside the cavity, the forward peripheral component of velocity of the fluid at the trailing edges of the blades being greater than the forward velocity of said trailing edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein a shroud ring is disposed adjacent to the blade tips of the ring of aerodynamic blades, the shroud ring constituting a core within the annular channel around which the fluid circulates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine according to claim 2, wherein the shroud ring is secured to the blades and rotates with the impeller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine according to claim 2, wherein the shroud ring is stationary, being mounted in the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the aerodynamic blades are cast integrally with the impeller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claim 2, wherein the blades are cast integrally with the shroud ring, and separately from the impeller, the shroud ring and blades being secured to the impeller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A machine according to claims, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the annular chamber is divided by the impeller into two annular side channels, one on each side of the impeller, and the impeller bears two rings of aerodynamic blades disposed in respective cavities or recesses in opposite sides of the impeller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the impeller is in close running clearance with the inward facing outer peripheral wall of the casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the aerodynamic blades have an angle between the entry and exit flows of each blade greater than 90°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein a sector of the annular chamber between the inlet and the outlet is occupied by a stripper seal, and relieving passages are provided in the casing between the stripper seal sector of the annular chamber and other locations around the annular chamber remote from the stripper seal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine according to claim 10, having a split casing and wherein the stripper seal is cast integrally with the parts of the casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claim 10, wherein the stripper seal is formed by an insert piece or pieces secured in the sector of the annular chamber between the inlet and outlet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the impeller is provided with two rings of aerodynamic blades in respective annular scoop recesses in opposite sides of the impeller, and a third ring of blades at the impeller periphery operating in a further annular channel in the casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein each curved surface of each aerodynamic blade is formed from one or more circular arcs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A machine according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, comprising two impellers, of the same or different sizes, on a common shaft, each impeller bearing at least one ring of aerodynamic blades disposed in a scoop recess in the side of the impeller and operating in a respective annular channel in the casing.