TUNNEL FAN AND METHOD

• US 20170341094A1
• Filed: 05/26/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Twin City Fan Cos. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Twin City Fan Cos. Ltd.
• Inventors: Khalitov, Daniel, Ganesh, Radha Krishna, Hartlein, Daniel, Persful, Trinity
• Application Number:
  US15/606,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20170341094A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/0221 for tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0072 using sprayed or atomised water
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/022 the rotating deflecting element being a ventilator or a fan B05B3/105 takes precedence; agricultural atomisers or mist blowers A01M7/0003
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/105 Fan or ventilator arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 1/00 Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents ventilating rooms or spaces in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 1/003 Ventilation of traffic tunnels during construction E21F1/04 - E21F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 3/00 Cooling or drying of air air-conditioning rooms or spaces in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 5/06 Fluids used for spraying
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/33 to fire, excessive heat or smoke
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/14 using nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/065 fan combined with single duct; mounting arrangements of a fan in a duct

Abstract

A fan assembly, and associated methods are shown. Fan assemblies and methods shown include nozzles within a housing of the fan. Fan assemblies and methods shown may provide water and/or fire suppression chemicals within a fan housing that provide characteristics such as increased thrust and motor cooling effects.

Claims

1. A fan assembly, comprising:

a housing open on two ends, the housing defining an air flow channel between a first end of the housing, and a second end of the housing;

an impeller located within a middle portion of the housing;

a first nozzle located within the air flow channel between the impeller and the first end of the housing; and

a second nozzle located within the air flow channel between the impeller and the second end of the housing.

2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cylindrical housing.

3. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein there are multiple nozzles on each side of the impeller.

4. The fan assembly of claim 1, further including a switch coupled to the impeller, wherein the switch is configured to optionally blow air toward either the first end of the housing or the second end of the housing.

5. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are located on a wall of the housing.

6. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are located between a wall of the housing and a center axis of the housing.

7. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are connected to a water supply.

8. The fan assembly of claim 7, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are further connected to a fire suppression chemical supply.

9. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are configured to provide an atomized mist.

10. A fan assembly, comprising:

a housing open on two ends, the housing defining an air flow channel between a first end of the housing, and a second end of the housing;

an impeller located within a middle portion of the housing;

a first silencer coupled to at least one of the first and second ends of the housing;

a first nozzle located on a first axial side of the impeller; and

a second nozzle located on a second axial side of the impeller opposite the first axial side.

11. The fan assembly of claim 10, further including a second silencer coupled to an end of the housing opposite the first silencer.

12. The fan assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and second nozzle is located within the first silencer.

13. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the first nozzle is located within the first silencer and the second nozzle located within the second silencer.

14. The fan assembly of claim 10, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are connected to a water supply.

15. The fan assembly of claim 14, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are further connected to a fire suppression chemical supply.

16. The fan assembly of claim 10, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are configured to provide an atomized mist.

17. A method, comprising:

operating a fan in a tunnel to move air along an axis of the tunnel in a first direction; and

adding water to an airflow of the fan, within a housing of the fan, at an upstream location of the fan.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein adding water to an airflow of the fan includes adding water concurrently at both an upstream and a downstream location of the fan.

19. The method of claim 17, further including detecting a fire location within the tunnel, and selecting a fan direction away from the fire.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein multiple fans are included within the tunnel, and wherein selecting a fan direction away from the fire includes selecting multiple different fan directions away from the fire.

21. The method of claim 17, further including operating only a water supply in the event of a power failure where the fan is disabled.