IP Library Granted Patent US 7,431,563
Granted Patent B2
US 7,431,563 · App. 10/535,151 · Granted Oct 7, 2008

Wheel

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,431,563
App. No.
10/535,151
Granted
Oct 7, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wheel ( 10 ) comprises a main body ( 12 ) and is provided with at least one reinforcing structure ( 14 ) which increases the strength of the wheel ( 10 ). The reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is at least partially integrated inside the main body ( 12 ).

Claims (29)

1. A wheel ( 10 ), comprising:

a main body ( 12 ), and

at least one reinforcing structure ( 14 ) for increasing a strength of the wheel ( 10 ),

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is at least partially integrally cast in the main body ( 12 ), and

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is prestressed under a pretensile stress serving to increase a compressive strength.

2. The wheel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main body ( 12 ) has a nave component ( 16 ) and a blade component ( 18 ), the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) being arranged in the nave component ( 16 ) and/or in the blade component ( 18 ).

3. The wheel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) takes the form of a prefabricated reinforcing element ( 20 ).

4. The wheel as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing element ( 20 ) takes the form of a strengthening tube ( 22 ), which is integrated in the nave component ( 16 ) of the wheel ( 10 ).

5. The wheel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) has a multiplicity of reinforcing fibers ( 38 ) freely distributed in the main body ( 12 ).

6. The wheel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) has high-strength metal fibers and/or carbon fibers and/or glass fibers.

7. The wheel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main body ( 12 ) is manufactured using aluminum as basic material.

8. The wheel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wheel is a compressor wheel and in particular a compressor wheel for an exhaust-gas turbocharger of a motor vehicle.

9. A wheel ( 10 ), comprising:

a main body ( 12 ), and

at least one reinforcing structure ( 14 ) for increasing a strength of the wheel ( 10 ),

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is at least partially integrated inside the main body ( 12 ),

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is prestressed under a pretensile stress serving to increase a compressive strength, and

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) has a mesh inlay ( 24 ).

10. The wheel as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the mesh inlay ( 24 ) comprises a plurality of mesh components ( 26 , 28 , 30 ) extending in a radial direction and/or in an axial direction and/or in a peripheral direction in relation to the wheel ( 10 ).

11. The wheel as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the mesh inlay ( 24 ) is arranged, at least in part, immediately below the surface ( 31 ) of the main body ( 12 ).

12. The wheel as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the mesh inlay ( 24 ) is arranged at least partially at the surface ( 31 ) of the main body ( 12 ).

13. A wheel ( 10 ), comprising:

a main body ( 12 ), and

at least one reinforcing structure ( 14 ) for increasing a strength of the wheel ( 10 ),

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is at least partially integrated inside the main body ( 12 ),

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) is prestressed under a pretensile stress serving to increase a compressive strength, and

wherein the reinforcing structure ( 14 ) additionally has a reinforcing component ( 32 ) arranged entirely externally in relation to the main body ( 12 ) and fixed thereto.

14. The wheel as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the external reinforcing component ( 32 ), as a stiffening element ( 34 ) at least partially reproducing the blade geometry, is provided with an at least partially integrated inlay structure ( 36 ).

15. The wheel as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the external reinforcing component ( 32 ) takes the form of a high-strength circular banding unit.