Patent ID: 10648480

Abstract:
Provided are non-limiting embodiments of a wear-resistant impeller having a non-conventional blending provided between a surface of a vane (1) and a surface of at least one of a front side shroud (15) and a rear side shroud (16). The impeller may comprise both a rear side blending (3) and a front side blending (2), and the front side blending (2) may comprise a different geometry from the rear side blending (3). The blending preferably comprises a bulbous geometry which is uniquely adapted for optimizing flow patterns adjacent to the vane and between the front and rear side shrouds in a manner which discourages the formation of horseshoe vortices proximate the leading edge (6) of the vane (1) during operation. Through the reduction, mitigation, or elimination of horseshoe vortices, local high velocities and turbulence are generally minimized, and wear experienced by portions of the impeller (e.g., to one or more vanes) from flows of abrasive slurry can be reduced. Accordingly, the useable life of an impeller may be improved.