METHOD FOR FORMING AN IMPELLER HOUSING FOR AN APPLIANCE

摘要

A method for forming an impeller housing for an appliance is provided. The method includes establishing three-dimensional information of the impeller housing, converting the three-dimensional information of the impeller housing into a plurality of slices, and successively forming each cross-sectional layer of the impeller housing with an additive process. The additive process may permit formation of various features of the impeller housing.

主权项

1. A method for forming a unitary housing for an impeller of a dryer appliance, comprising:
establishing three-dimensional information of the unitary housing; converting the three-dimensional information of the unitary housing from said step of establishing into a plurality of slices, each slice of the plurality of slices defining a respective cross-sectional layer of the unitary housing; and successively forming each cross-sectional layer of the unitary housing with an additive process; wherein, after said step of successively forming: (1) the unitary housing has a transition duct extending between a volute of the unitary housing and an exhaust exit of the unitary housing; (2) the transition duct has an inlet cross-section immediately downstream of the volute of the unitary housing and an outlet cross-section at the exhaust exit of the unitary housing; (3) the inlet cross-section has a curvilinear trapezoidal shape; (4) the outlet cross-section has a circular shape; and (5) the transition duct continuously varies from the inlet cross-section to the outlet cross-section along a length of the transition duct.