Turbo-machine impeller manufacturing
A method of manufacturing a turbo-machine impeller, which includes a hub and a plurality of blades, using powder material in an additive-manufacturing process. The method includes: applying energy to the powder material by way of a high energy source, and solidifying the powder material. At least one bulky portion of the hub is irradiated such that the powder material solidifies in a lattice structure surrounded by an outer solid skin structure enclosing the lattice structure.
1. A turbo-machine impeller, comprising:
a hub and an impeller shroud comprising a plurality of solidified layers formed by solidified powder material, wherein at least one radially inner portion of the hub and at least one radially inner portion of the impeller shroud comprise a lattice structure surrounded by a solid skin structure.
2. The turbo-machine impeller according to claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure is located in an impeller foot of the hub.
3. The turbo-machine impeller according to claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure is located in an impeller eye.
4. The turbo-machine impeller according to claim 1 , wherein the solid skin structure has at least one aperture, and the lattice structure is in fluid communication with the outer surface of the turbo-machine impeller through the aperture.
5. The turbo-machine impeller according to claim 4 , wherein the solid skin structure comprises two apertures, and the lattice structure surrounded by the solid skin structure is in fluid communication with the outer surface of the turbo-machine impeller through the two apertures.
6. The turbo-machine impeller according to claim 1 , made of a material selected from the group comprising: titanium alloys, stellite, steel, stainless steel, austenitic nickel-chromium-based super-alloys, steel 17-4.
7. The turbo-machine impeller according to claim 1 , made of Ti6Al4V.