Floating self-centering turbine impeller

In an assembly for rotating a member relative to a fixed surface for conveying a fluid, the combination comprising:

• a first member, and a second member at least partially enclosing said first member, said first member having a surface opposing a surface of said second member, with one of said members being adapted for rotation about an axis relative to the other one of said members, and at least one of said opposing surfaces including a first edge and a second edge, with said at least one surface having a plurality of recesses therein, each of said recesses having a leading edge and a trailing edge, with said trailing edge defining a pinch point of the recess, said pinch points of said recesses being substantially balanced and positioned on at least one of said opposing surfaces to provide a pressurized film of fluid between said opposing surfaces as said one member is rotated about said axis, said recesses being radially positioned inwardly of said edges on said at least one surface and disposed in a symmetrical pattern to provide a discontinuous sealing surface free of any external supply of fluid to maximize the pressurized fluid film between said opposing surfaces during operation of said assembly and to prevent frictional engagement of said opposing surfaces.

An impeller assembly for conveying a fluid comprising:

• an impeller including a rotatable member having first and second side surfaces, enclosing means at least partially enclosing said impeller and defining first and second fixed surfaces opposing said first and second side surfaces of said impeller, said impeller being rotatable within said enclosing means about a fixed axis and including a plurality of vane-shaped conveying elements on a periphery of the rotatable member, each side surface including a sealing surface portion having an outer edge and an inner edge with said inner edge including a hub portion, each sealing surface portion having a plurality of recesses therein, which are disposed in at least one annular and substantially symmetrical pattern, each of said recesses having a leading edge and a trailing edge with said trailing edge defining a pinch point of the recess, said pinch points of said recesses being substantially balanced and positioned radially about each of said sealing surface portions and located inwardly of said outer edge and said inner edge, whereby a portion of the fluid being conveyed is pinched at said pinch points as said impeller is rotated to provide a pressurized film of fluid between said sealing surface portions of said impeller and said first and second opposing fixed surfaces.

An impeller for conveying a fluid comprising:

• a disc-shaped member having first and second side surfaces, a plurality of vane-shaped conveying elements on a periphery of the disc-shaped member, each side surface including a sealing surface portion having an outer edge and an inner edge, each sealing surface portion having a plurality of recesses therein which are disposed in at least one annular and substantially symmetrical pattern, said recesses having an arcuate semicircular leading edge and a straight-line trailing edge with said trailing edge defining a pinch point of the recess, said pinch points of said recesses being substantially balanced and positioned radially about each of said sealing surface portions and located inwardly of said outer edge and said inner edge.

A side plate for use with an impeller which is rotatable about a fixed axis for conveying a fluid comprising:

• a disc-shaped member having a sealing surface portion having an outer edge and an inner edge, said sealing surface portion having a plurality of recesses therein, which are disposed in at least one annular and substantially symmetrical pattern, each of said recesses having an arcuate semicircular leading edge and a straight-line trailing edge with said trailing edge defining a pinch point of the recess, said pinch points of said recesses being substantially balanced and positioned radially about said sealing surface and located inwardly of said outer edge and said inner edge.