Patent ID: 6375412
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: F01D,F04D

Abstract:
An impeller assembly, comprising:(a) a central hub; (b) a first reinforcing backing plate fixedly connected to the central hub; (c) a stacked array of parallel disks arranged on the central hub and fixedly connected to the first reinforcing backing plate, wherein each of the disks possesses a central aperture, the central apertures are aligned in the stacked array producing a central cavity, and wherein the disks are inter-spaced along a parallel axis and connected to one another at locations that protrude into the central aperture in proximity to an interior perimeter of each disk; (d) a second reinforcing backing plate fixedly attached to the stacked array of parallel disks, wherein the second reinforcing backing plate possesses a central aperture, whereby, upon radial movement of the central hub, a fluid flows through the central apertures of the second reinforcing backing plate and the stacked array of disks and the spaces between the disks.