EXPANDABLE IMPELLER PUMP

摘要

An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

主权项

1. An apparatus for inducing motion of a fluid relative to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
an impeller, including:
a hub extending in a length direction; anda plurality of blades supported by the hub, each blade having a proximal end attached to the hub and a distal end;the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows arranged in series in the length direction of the hub; the impeller having a deployed configuration and a stored configuration, each blade in the deployed configuration of the impeller extending away from the hub, and at least one of the blades in the stored configuration of the impeller being compressed so as to move the distal end of the at least one blade towards the hub.