Compressor Wheel With Supports

Abstract

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a compressor wheel is disclosed that includes a body, a plurality of blades, and one or more supports. The supports add strength to the compressor wheel and may be configured as ribs, for example. The body has a first face (e.g., an outer or front face), which may include the blades, and a second face (e.g. an inner or rear face), which may include the supports. The supports may include an arcuate configuration curving forward in a direction of rotation of the compressor wheel.

1 . A compressor wheel comprising:
 a body having opposing first and second faces, and a hub configured and dimensioned for mechanical connection to a shaft to facilitate rotation of the compressor wheel about an axis of rotation;   a plurality of blades included on the first face of the body, the blades extending radially outward from the hub; and   a plurality of supports included on the second face of the body, each of the supports including a first end positioned adjacent the hub and an opposing second end spaced radially from the first end, the supports being configured and dimensioned to transfer torque radially outward across the body to reduce stress in the body during acceleration of the compressor wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the body, the blades, and the supports are integrally formed. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 2 , wherein the compressor wheel is formed from a composite material. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 3 , wherein the compressor wheel is formed from glass-filled nylon. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the supports includes an arcuate configuration and curves from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 5 , wherein the supports curve from the first end to the second end in correspondence with a direction of rotation of the compressor wheel. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 6 , wherein the blades include an arcuate configuration and curve in a direction opposite to the supports. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 6 , wherein the supports each define a thickness extending orthogonally in relation to the axis of rotation, the thickness being constant between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 6 , wherein the supports each define a thickness extending orthogonally in relation to the axis of rotation, the thickness varying between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 9 , wherein the supports each include a first section adjacent the first end of the support, a second section adjacent the second end of the support, and an intermediate section positioned between the first section and the second section, the first section defining a first thickness, the second section defining a second thickness, and the third section defining a third thickness less than the first thickness and the second thickness. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 5 , wherein the supports each define a centerline intersecting the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 5 , wherein the supports each define a centerline offset from the axis of rotation such that the supports extend tangentially in relation to the hub. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 12 , wherein the supports each include a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being spaced a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and the trailing edge being spaced a second radial distance from the axis of rotation less than the first radial distance, the leading edge of each support intersecting the trailing edge of an adjacent support. 
     
     
         14 . A compressor wheel comprising:
 a body having opposing first and second faces, and a hub configured and dimensioned for mechanical connection to a shaft to facilitate rotation of the compressor wheel about an axis of rotation;   a plurality of blades included on the first face of the body, the blades extending radially outward from the hub and curving in a first direction; and   a plurality of supports included on the second face of the body, the supports extending radially outward from the hub and curving in a second direction opposite the first direction, each of the supports defining a thickness extending orthogonally in relation to the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         15 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 14 , wherein the supports curve in correspondence with a direction of rotation of the compressor wheel. 
     
     
         16 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 14 , wherein the thickness of each support is constant. 
     
     
         17 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 14 , wherein the supports each include first and second ends, the thickness of each support varying between the first and second ends thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 17 , wherein the supports each include a first section adjacent a first end of the support, a second section adjacent an opposing second end of the support, and an intermediate section positioned between the first section and the second section, the first section defining a first thickness, the second section defining a second thickness, and the third section defining a third thickness less than the first thickness and the second thickness. 
     
     
         19 . A compressor wheel comprising:
 a body having opposing first and second faces, and a hub configured and dimensioned for mechanical connection to a shaft to facilitate rotation of the compressor wheel about an axis of rotation;   a plurality of blades included on the first face of the body; and   a plurality of supports included on the second face of the body, each of the supports defining a centerline that is offset from the axis of rotation such that the supports extend tangentially in relation to the hub.   
     
     
         20 . The compressor wheel according to  claim 19 , wherein the supports each include a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being spaced a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and the trailing edge being spaced a second radial distance from the axis of rotation less than the first radial distance, the leading edge of each support intersecting the trailing edge of an adjacent support.