Patent Application
20190203733
Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to fan assemblies for HVAC&R systems.
HVAC&R systems typically include one or more fans for air management. Examples of such fans include condenser fans to urge airflow across a condenser of the HVAC&R system, and evaporator fans to likewise urge airflow across an evaporator of the HVAC&R system. In some fan assemblies, the fan is secured to a fan drive at a fan hub opening.
In one embodiment, a fan assembly includes a fan and a fan drive. The fan includes a fan hub located at a fan central axis, and a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the fan hub. The fan hub has a fan hub opening at the fan central axis. The fan hub opening is at least partially defined by a plurality of nodes extending radially inwardly toward the fan central axis from the fan hub. The fan drive is installed in the fan hub opening via an interference fit between the plurality of nodes and an outer surface of the fan drive, thus centering the fan drive in the fan hub opening.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of nodes are three or more nodes.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments each node of the plurality of nodes extends radially inwardly along a flange of the fan hub.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of nodes define contact areas between the fan hub and the fan drive.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a node of the plurality of nodes includes a pocket to increase a deformability of the node during installation of the fan to the fan drive.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the pocket is a localized reduction in axial thickness of the node.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the pocket is substantially oval-shaped.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a plurality of fasteners axially and circumferentially retain the fan to the fan drive.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is located to circumferentially align with a node of the plurality of nodes.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a fan shroud is located at a blade tip of the plurality of fan blades.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the fan drive includes an electric motor.
In another embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes one or more heat exchangers and one or more fan assemblies to urge airflow across the one or more heat exchangers. A fan assembly of the one or more fan assemblies includes a fan and a fan drive. The fan includes a fan hub located at a fan central axis and a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the fan hub. The fan hub has a fan hub opening at the fan central axis. The fan hub opening is at least partially defined by a plurality of nodes extending radially inwardly toward the fan central axis from the fan hub. The fan drive is installed in the fan hub opening via an interference fit between the plurality of nodes and an outer surface of the fan drive, thus centering the fan drive in the fan hub opening.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of nodes are three or more nodes.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments each node of the plurality of nodes extends radially inwardly along a flange of the fan hub.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of nodes define contact areas between the fan hub and the fan drive.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a node of the plurality of nodes includes a pocket to increase a deformability of the node during installation of the fan to the fan drive.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the pocket is a localized reduction in axial thickness of the node.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the pocket is substantially oval-shaped.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a plurality of fasteners axially and circumferentially retain the fan to the fan drive.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is located to circumferentially align with a node of the plurality of nodes
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
For good performance of the fan assembly, control of balance, concentricity, runout precision, and repeatability is necessary between the fan and fan drive. Further, in some fan assemblies, the fan is a molded plastic component, which may have a higher than desired degree of variability, and thus accurate and repeatable assembly of the fan to the fan drive may require secondary operations, which reduces manufacturing efficiency.
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
In some embodiments, a condenser fan 26 is located at the condenser 16 to direct the condenser airflow 18 across the condenser 16. Further, an evaporator fan 28 may be located at the evaporator 22 to direct the evaporator airflow 24 across the evaporator 22.
Referring now to the partially exploded view of
The fan assembly 30 includes a fan 32 having a fan hub 34 located at a fan central axis 36, with a plurality of fan blades 38 extending radially outwardly therefrom. The fan blades 38 extend from a blade root 40 at the fan hub 34 to a blade tip 42 opposite the blade root 40. In some embodiments, the fan 32 includes a fan shroud 44 secured to the fan blades 38 at or near the blade tips 42. The fan assembly 30 further includes a fan drive 46 secured to the fan hub 34 to drive rotation of the fan 32 about the fan central axis 36. In some embodiments, the fan drive 46 includes a prime mover, such as an electric motor. The fan drive 46 is located at the fan central axis 36, and is coaxial with the fan 32, and is installed to the fan 32 at the fan hub 34, in particular at a fan hub opening 48 at the fan central axis 36. In some embodiments, the fan 32 is formed from a molded plastic material such as, for example, nylon or polypropylene materials. It is to be appreciated, however, that these materials are merely exemplary and that other materials may be utilized.
Referring now to
The lobes 52 have pockets 58 formed therein. Each pocket 58 has a pocket depth 60 and a pocket width 62 and is located such that the pocket 58 and lobe 52 define a lobe wall 64 that abuts the fan drive 46. The pocket 58 is thus a localized reduction of axial thickness of the node 52. The pocket 58 size, shape and location is defined to tune an installation force of the fan 32 to the fan drive 46 to a selected installation force. In some embodiments, the pockets 58 are formed such that a pocket base 72 has a base thickness 68 of between 15% and 40% of a lobe thickness 70 of the lobe 52. Referring again to
Referring again to
The present disclose including the interference fit of the fan 32 to the fan drive 46 allows the fan 32 to be installed to the fan drive 46 accurately and without high cost and time consuming secondary operation, such as machining or the use of an overmolded metallic fan hub.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/612,909, filed Jan. 2, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62612909 | Jan 2018 | US |
