Centrifugal wheel
A centrifugal compressor wheel including a metal hub ( 2 ) for connecting to a drive shaft ( 3 ), an inlet plate ( 4 ) and an outlet plate ( 5 ) fixed to the metal hub ( 2 ), and a plurality of blades ( 7 ), each blade having a beginning and a peripheral portion ( 7 b ), fixed between the inner plate ( 4 ) and the outer plate ( 5 ). The wheel further includes an annular metal insert ( 8 ) integrated in the central portion of the wheel at a periphery of the hub ( 2 ), the annular metal insert ( 8 ) having metal elements ( 7 A) forming the beginnings of the blades of the wheel. The inlet plate ( 4 ), the outlet plate ( 5 ), and the peripheral portions ( 7 B) of the blades are made of a composite material, thereby constituting a composite portion of the wheel.
1. A centrifugal compressor wheel ( 1 ) including a metal hub ( 2 ) for connecting to a drive shaft ( 3 ), an inlet plate ( 4 ) and an outlet plate ( 5 ) fixed to the metal hub ( 2 ), and a plurality of blades ( 7 ), each blade having a beginning and a peripheral portion ( 7 B), fixed between the inner plate ( 4 ) and the outer plate ( 5 ), the wheel further comprising:
an annular metal insert ( 8 ) integrated in the central portion of the wheel ( 1 ) at a periphery of the hub ( 2 ), the annular metal insert ( 8 ) having metal elements ( 7 A) forming the beginnings of the blades ( 7 ) of the wheel ( 1 );
wherein the inlet plate ( 4 ), the outlet plate ( 5 ), and the peripheral portions ( 7 B) of the blades ( 7 ) are made of a composite material, thereby constituting a composite portion of the wheel.
2. The wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the metal insert ( 8 ) is mounted between the inlet plate ( 4 ) and the outlet plate ( 5 ) and supports the composite portion over the entire width of the composite portion.
3. The wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the metal insert ( 8 ) further comprises an independent annular piece and is fitted to the hub ( 2 ).
4. The wheel according to claim 3 , wherein the metal insert ( 8 ) is formed by a first annular body ( 8 A) and a second annular body ( 8 B) that are spaced apart from each other with the metal elements ( 7 A) forming the metal beginnings of the blades being disposed therebetween.
5. The wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the metal insert ( 8 ) is an integral portion of the hub ( 2 ) such that the metal insert ( 8 ) and the hub ( 2 ) form a single piece.
6. The wheel according to claim 1 , further comprising a metal annular reinforcement piece ( 15 ) fastened to the metal insert ( 8 ) such that a portion of the composite portion is secured between the metal annular reinforcement piece ( 15 ) and the metal insert ( 8 ).
7. The wheel according to claim 6 , wherein the annular reinforcement piece ( 15 ) is mounted on and adjacent an outside face of the inlet plate ( 4 ).
8. A method of manufacturing a centrifugal compressor wheel including a metal hub having an inlet plate and an outlet plate fixed thereon, and a plurality of blades being fixed therebetween, the method comprising:
a) making a metal insert including a plurality of metal elements, each metal element forming a beginning of a blade of the wheel; and
b) assembling a composite portion of the wheel directly on the insert, the composite portion being formed by the inlet plate, the outlet plate, and by peripheral portions of the plurality of blades.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein assembling a composite portion further comprises molding the composite portion of the wheel directly on the metal insert.