Parametric modeling method for integrated design and manufacturing of radial compressor impeller

Abstract

Radial compressor impeller (RCI) manufacturing is moving toward to improve competitiveness through smart manufacturing. Although current CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) techniques provide multiple tools to construct and optimize complicated geometries of RCI, an adjustment of blade shape often leads to nonparametric geometric reconstruction. As the key geometric elements in RCI, set of streamlines (SSL) and meridional section (MS) play vital roles in modeling and aerodynamic optimization. This paper presents a novel approach for automatic extraction of SSL and MS from a RCI 3D model or workpiece. Furthermore, the presented method can interactively construct a parameterized RCI platform, which inputs and outputs the presented RCI parameters to existing CFD and CAM systems rapidly and effectively. An integrated acquisition is employed. The straight generatrix vectors (SGVs) are identified and their boundary points are defined. After the uniform partition of SGV segments, the sequent equant points along spanwise direction are packaged to fit SSL. To manipulate the smoothness and approximation, a double-fitting method is performed to generate SSL. A parameterized system for extracting SSL and modeling RCI is developed. The validities of the presented method in different systems are demonstrated. Furthermore, the presented method breaks conventional RCI development procedure and shortens RCI product cycles, which is desirable and significative for integrated RCI design and manufacturing.