Refrigerant compressor with impeller having dual splitter blade arrangement

Abstract

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, including an impeller including a plurality of main blades and first and second splitter blades between adjacent main blades.

1 . A refrigerant compressor, comprising:
 an impeller including a plurality of main blades and first and second splitter blades between adjacent main blades.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first splitter blade is spaced-apart circumferentially from the second splitter blade. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first splitter blade extends a first length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof,   the second splitter blade extends a second length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof, and   the first length is greater than the second length.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein:
 each main blade extends a third length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof, and   the third length is greater than the first and second lengths.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the leading edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are staggered relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the trailing edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are aligned relative to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the trailing edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are provided at a common radial distance from a rotational axis of the impeller and are coextensive with an exit of the impeller. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the leading edge of the first splitter blade is spaced-apart from the leading edge of each main blade by a distance within a range of 30-60% of the third length, and   the leading edge of the second splitter blade is spaced-apart from the leading of the first splitter blade by a distance within a range of 30-60% of the first length.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first splitter blade exhibits a first maximum thickness,   the second splitter blade exhibits a second maximum thickness less than the first maximum thickness, and   each main blade exhibits a third maximum thickness greater than the first and second maximum thicknesses.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the leading edges of each main blade, the first splitter blade, and the second splitter blade are swept so as to be inclined toward respective trailing edges.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein camber lines of each main blade, the first splitter blade, and the second splitter blade are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the impeller includes seven main blades and 14 splitter blades. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the impeller is not shrouded. 
     
     
         14 . A refrigerant compressor, comprising:
 an impeller including a plurality of main blades and first and second splitter blades between adjacent main blades,   wherein the first splitter blade is spaced-apart circumferentially from the second splitter blade,   wherein the first splitter blade extends a first length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof,   wherein the second splitter blade extends a second length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof,   wherein the first length is greater than the second length,   wherein each main blade extends a third length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof,   wherein the third length is greater than the first and second lengths,   wherein the leading edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are staggered relative to one another,   wherein the trailing edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are aligned relative to one another,   wherein the trailing edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are provided at a common radial distance from a rotational axis of the impeller and are coextensive with an exit of the impeller,   wherein the leading edge of the first splitter blade is spaced-apart from the leading edge of each main blade by a distance within a range of 30-60% of the third length,   wherein the leading edge of the second splitter blade is spaced-apart from the leading of the first splitter blade by a distance within a range of 30-60% of the first length,   wherein the first splitter blade exhibits a first maximum thickness,   wherein the second splitter blade exhibits a second maximum thickness less than the first maximum thickness,   wherein each main blade exhibits a third maximum thickness greater than the first and second maximum thicknesses,   wherein the leading edges of each main blade, the first splitter blade, and the second splitter blade are swept so as to be inclined toward respective trailing edges, and   wherein camber lines of each main blade, the first splitter blade, and the second splitter blade are parallel to one another.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the impeller includes seven main blades and 14 splitter blades, and   the impeller is not shrouded.   
     
     
         16 . A refrigerant system, comprising:
 a main refrigerant loop including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion device, wherein the compressor includes an impeller including a plurality of main blades and first and second splitter blades between adjacent main blades.   
     
     
         17 . The refrigerant system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first splitter blade extends a first length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof,   the second splitter blade extends a second length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof,   the first length is greater than the second length,   each main blade extends a third length between a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof, and   the third length is greater than the first and second lengths.   
     
     
         18 . The refrigerant system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the leading edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are staggered relative to one another, and   the trailing edges of the first splitter blade, the second splitter blade, and each main blade are aligned relative to one another.   
     
     
         19 . The refrigerant system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the leading edge of the first splitter blade is spaced-apart from the leading edge of each main blade by a distance within a range of 30-60% of the third length, and   the leading edge of the second splitter blade is spaced-apart from the leading of the first splitter blade by a distance within a range of 30-60% of the first length.   
     
     
         20 . The refrigerant system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first splitter blade exhibits a first maximum thickness,   the second splitter blade exhibits a second maximum thickness less than the first maximum thickness, and   each main blade exhibits a third maximum thickness greater than the first and second maximum thicknesses.