Housing with recirculation control for use with banded axial-flow fans
First Claim
1. A fan and housing combination comprising a fan having a hub that rotates on an axis and blades extending outwardly from the hub to a circular band that connects the blade tips, the combination also comprising a housing surrounding the fan to control airflow the combination being characterized in that:
- a) a portion of the housing is positioned outward of the fan band and there are running clearances between the band and the housing such that recirculating airflow moves in a pathway between the fan and the housing; and
b) stationary flow control vanes are connected to the housing in a position to encounter and redirect recirculating airflow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Stationary flow control vanes positioned to encounter and redirect recirculating airflow provide a surprising combination of efficiency, low noise, and manufacturability for shrouded, banded, axial fans that are positioned in a housing. Such fan and housing combinations reduce swirl in recirculating airflow, so that the airflow entering the fan (which includes the recirculating airflow) is more ordered and fan performance is improved. The invention is particularly suited for fans that draw airflow through an upstream heat exchanger. It can also be applied to fans that blow air through a downstream heat exchanger. The invention is also suited for ducted fans.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A fan and housing combination comprising a fan having a hub that rotates on an axis and blades extending outwardly from the hub to a circular band that connects the blade tips, the combination also comprising a housing surrounding the fan to control airflow the combination being characterized in that:
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a) a portion of the housing is positioned outward of the fan band and there are running clearances between the band and the housing such that recirculating airflow moves in a pathway between the fan and the housing; and b) stationary flow control vanes are connected to the housing in a position to encounter and redirect recirculating airflow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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19. The fan and housing combination of clam 18 in which at least a portion of the vanes extends into the pocket.
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42. A combination axial flow automotive fan and housing, said fan having a hub that rotates on an axis and blades extending outwardly from the hub to a circular band that connects the blade tips, the combination also comprising a housing surrounding the fan to control airflow, the combination being characterized in that:
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a) a portion of the housing is positioned outward of the fan band and there are running clearances between the band and the housing such that recirculating airflow moves in a pathway between the fan and the housing; and b) stationary flow control vanes are connected to the housing in a position to encounter and redirect recirculating airflow.
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Specification