Shrouded household fan
First Claim
1. A portable fan including unitary shroud means having an exterior surface spaced outwardly from and substantially parallel to an interior surface along substantially the entire longitudinal dimension of said shroud means for directing air in a laminar flow pattern into an impeller assembly mounted within said shroud means, said shroud means including intake means extending from said shroud exterior surface to said shroud interior surface having an aerodynamic cross-sectional configuration for directing air along said exterior surface in a laminar flow pattern into said impeller assembly and discharge means for discharging a substantially homogeneous column of air during fan operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An extremely efficient, substantially noiseless portable fan suitable for household use is provided which produces a highly focused, homogeneous stream of substantially laminar flow air to achieve effective air movement and cooling throughout an entire room. The fan includes a torus-shaped shroud, the intake portion of which has aerodynamic configuration having a precisely engineered geometry to minimize turbulence and promote laminar flow. The shroud intake portion includes an exterior angled Venturi surface, which extends toward the shroud intake orifice, to intersect with a radiused edge which joins the Venturi surface with an interior aerodynamic surface. An impeller assembly including a central bullet-shaped nose cone and a plurality of aerodynamically-configured radial blades are mounted within the shroud to further minimize turbulence and promote smooth air flow. In addition, an array of radial vanes supported within the shroud further reduces turbulence and directs the air flow from the fan in a concentrated stream.
97 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A portable fan including unitary shroud means having an exterior surface spaced outwardly from and substantially parallel to an interior surface along substantially the entire longitudinal dimension of said shroud means for directing air in a laminar flow pattern into an impeller assembly mounted within said shroud means, said shroud means including intake means extending from said shroud exterior surface to said shroud interior surface having an aerodynamic cross-sectional configuration for directing air along said exterior surface in a laminar flow pattern into said impeller assembly and discharge means for discharging a substantially homogeneous column of air during fan operation.
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20. A portable fan comprising:
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a. unitary torus-shaped shroud means having an aerodynamic cross-sectional configuration for directing a flow of air in a laminar flow pattern therethrough to produce a focused stream of laminar flow air; b. impeller means mounted within said shroud means and including an aerodynamically configured central nose cone and a plurality of aerodynamically configured radial blades for moving air through said shroud means in a laminar flow pattern with a minimum of turbulence; c. vane means mounted within said shroud means downstream of said impeller means for reducing turbulence and promoting the discharge of a focused stram of laminar flow air from said shroud means; and d. motor means for driving said impeller means and causing said blades to rotate about said central nose cone.
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21. A portable fan comprising:
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a. an aerodynamically configured torus-shaped shroud including intake means for directing air in a substantially laminar flow pattern into the shroud to produce a substantially homogeneous column of air downstream of a discharge orifice defined in said shroud;
said intake means including an intake orifice defined by a Venturi surface on the exterior of the shroud, an aerodynamic surface spaced inwardly from said Venturi surface along the shroud interior and a radiused edge connecting said Venturi surface and said aerodynamic surface;b. impeller means supported by and mounted completely within the shroud for moving air through the shroud in a laminar flow pattern with a minimum of turbulence, said impeller means including an aerodynamically configured central nose cone supporting a plurality of aerodynamically configured radial blades having tips which extend toward and conform to the configuration of said aerodynamic surface; c. aerodynamically configured vane means mounted within said shroud downstream of said impeller means for supporting a motor housing and promoting the discharge of said homogeneous column of air; d. motor means mounted within said housing for driving said impeller means; e. grill means for providing a protective barrier around said intake means and at said discharge orifice; and f. adjustable support means for adjustably supporting said shroud so that the direction of flow of said homogeneous column of air from said discharge orifice can be varied.
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Specification