US 12,071,958 B2
Inflator having combined cutwater and intake/exhaust port
Ryan Hoeler, Greenville, SC (US)
Assigned to Techtronic Cordless GP, Anderson, SC (US)
Filed by TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP, Anderson, SC (US)
Filed on Aug. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/879,503.
Prior Publication US 2024/0044340 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. F04D 29/44 (2006.01); F04D 17/16 (2006.01); F04D 29/42 (2006.01); F04D 29/62 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 29/441 (2013.01) [F04D 17/16 (2013.01); F04D 29/4213 (2013.01); F04D 29/624 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inflator comprising:
a housing including an intake port and an outlet port and at least partially defining a volute between the intake port and the outlet port;
an impeller rotatably coupled to the housing and in airflow communication with the volute to generate an airflow through the volute; and
an airflow guide disposed in the housing and including an air intake portion including a wall and a cutwater monolithically formed with the air intake portion and the wall, the wall disposed flush with a portion of the volute, the air intake portion defining the intake port and a passageway extending from the intake port along an airflow axis, and the cutwater extending from the wall and disposed between the passageway and the outlet port adjacent a circumferential edge of the impeller,
wherein the cutwater is disposed radially outward of the wall such that the wall and the cutwater do not overlap in a direction along the airflow axis.