Patent Application
20150176603
This disclosure relates to fan assemblies for providing an airflow stream, and particularly to in-line fan assemblies configured to provide an axial airflow through an outer chamber.
Fan assemblies for providing an airflow stream are known. One type of fan assembly is an in-line fan assembly including a housing containing a fan rotor for moving an airflow stream through the housing. Many in-line fan assembly housings are cylindrical in shape which requires specialized manufacturing equipment and processes in addition to limiting the types of materials that can be used. For example, in order to construct a traditional cylindrical fan housing, several pieces of equipment are required including: a roller, a seam welder, and a flanger. Secondary components that require connection to the main structure (i.e. motor plate, bearing plate, turning vanes, etc.) can also require welding. Due to the significant welding amounts, tubular designs are traditionally constructed from hot-rolled steel, thereby additionally requiring paint. Other higher strength materials, such as stainless steel, are not as frequently used due to the difficulty of manufacturing tubes and curved shapes from such materials. Accordingly, improvements in fan assemblies are desired.
This disclosure relates to a fan assembly in which none of the major structural components of the assembly are fastened together by welding and are instead mechanically fastened together. Because the major structural components are not fastened together by welding, painting of the components can be avoided. The disclosure also relates to a fan assembly in which none of the major structural components has a curved shape formed by a rolling process. Instead, curved shapes of the major structural components are approximated by planar segments separated by bend lines that can be formed, for example, by a press brake machine.
In one aspect, the fan assembly has an outer chamber and a rotatable fan assembly disposed within the outer chamber. The outer chamber can define a longitudinal axis extending between a first open end and an opposite second open end. As configured, the rotatable fan assembly moves an airflow stream through the outer chamber from the first open end towards the second open end.
In one aspect, the outer chamber has at least five planar sidewall segments that together form a tubular structure having a polygonal cross-sectional shape. In one embodiment, the outer chamber is formed by a first section and a second section that are connected to each other by mechanical fasteners. The first and second open ends can be provided with flanges to which adapter rings can be connected. Where the rotatable fan assembly includes a mixed-flow type fan rotor, an inlet cone may be installed at the first open end of the chamber adjacent the adapter ring.
The fan assembly may also include an inner chamber having a plurality of planar sidewall segments that together form a tubular structure with a cross-sectional polygonal shape, wherein the inner chamber is disposed within the outer chamber and defines a longitudinal axis extending between a first open end and an opposite second open end. The first open end of the inner chamber may be mechanically secured to an end plate to prevent the airflow stream from passing through the inner chamber thereby ensuring that the airflow stream passes in the interstitial area between the inner and outer chambers.
A tail cone assembly may be provided that is mechanically fastened to the second open end of the inner chamber. In one embodiment, the tail cone assembly has at least five planar sidewall segments that together form a tapered tubular structure with a generally polygonal cross-sectional shape with a first open end and a second open end. The tail cone assembly may also have first and second sections that are mechanically fastened to each other and an end plate secured to one of the first and second open ends.
A plurality of turning vanes may also be provided in the fan assembly. The turning vanes function to straighten airflow leaving the rotatable fan assembly and also structurally secure the inner chamber to the outer chamber. As configured, the turning vanes extend from the outer chamber and towards the inner chamber. In one embodiment, each turning vane has a main body with a plurality of planar segments separated by bend lines. The turning vanes may also be provided with tabs or other structures such that they can be mechanically fastened to the inner and/or outer chambers.
The fan assembly may also be provided with a motor assembly including a motor plate, a motor cover, and a motor seal, each of which can be mechanically fastened to the outer chamber. Mounting legs may also be provided for the fan assembly and mechanically fastened to the outer chamber. A bearing plate may also be provided within the inner chamber that is configured to support the rotatable fan assembly and to secure the inner chamber to the outer chamber. In one embodiment, the bearing plate may be mechanically fastened to the inner chamber and to the outer chamber.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
Referring now to
By use of the term “segmented shape” it is meant to include those shapes that are formed by planar surfaces or segments separated by bend lines that approximate a curve in contrast to shapes that are formed with a continuously curved surface. One example of a segmented shape is a generally polygonal shape. By use of the terms “mechanical fastener”, “mechanically fastened”, and “non-welded means” it is intended to include any method of attachment between two components other than welding. Non-limiting examples of mechanical fasteners are bolts, screws, rivets, clips, and latches.
Fan assembly 100 includes an outer chamber 200 configured for housing a number of components, for example a fan rotor 102. As shown, outer chamber 200 includes a first section 202 and a second section 204 that cooperatively form a tubular structure having a generally polygonal cross-sectional shape extending between a first open end 206 and a second open end 208, and defining a longitudinal axis L. Although the outer chamber 200 is shown as having a generally octagonal shape with 8 planar sections, other generally polygonal shapes are possible, such as pentagonal (five sides), hexagonal (six sides), heptagonal (seven sides), decagonal (ten sides), and dodecagonal (twelve sides) shapes which progressively define cross-sectional shapes that approximate a circle. Additionally, although outer chamber 200 is shown as having two sections 202, 204, more sections may be provided.
In the embodiment presented in the drawings, and as most easily seen in the schematic representation shown at
Each of the outer chamber first and second sections 202, 204 are provided with first and second side flanges that serve as a mating point for the two sections. In particular, the outer chamber first section 202 is provided with a first side flange 202j that extends the length of the first section 202 and is separated from adjacent planar section 202a by a bend line 202l. The outer chamber first section 202 is also provided with a second side flange 202k that extends the length of the first section 202 and is separated from adjacent planar section 202e by a bend line 202m. Similarly, the outer chamber second section is provided with a first side flange 204i that extends the length of the second section 204 and is separated from adjacent planar section 204a by a bend line 204l, and is provided with a second side flange 204k that extends the length of the second section 204 and is separated from adjacent planar section 204e by a bend line 204m.
With reference to
As most easily seen at
As most easily viewed at
Where the outer chamber 200 is to be supported from below, mounting legs 226 may be provided on the outer chamber 200 and mechanically fastened to the second section 204. Where the outer chamber 200 is to be supported from above, the outer chamber may be provided with hanger mounts configured to accept support rods and vibration isolators, where desired.
The outer chamber 200 can also be configured to support a motor plate 228 and a belt seal 230 for respectively supporting a motor 106 and housing a belt 108. Additionally, a motor cover 232 can be provided to house and protect the motor 106. As shown, each of the motor plate 228, the belt seal 230, and the motor cover 232 are mechanically fastened to the outer chamber first section 202 without the need for welding.
Fan assembly 100 also includes an inner chamber 300. The inner chamber 300 is located within the outer chamber 200 and is primarily configured for supporting the fan rotor 102 of the fan assembly and for defining an airflow path between the inner and outer chambers 300, 200. As shown, inner chamber 300 includes a first section 302 and a second section 304 that cooperatively form a tubular structure having a generally polygonal cross-sectional shape extending between a first open end 306 and a second open end 308. Although the inner chamber 300 is shown as having a generally octagonal shape with 8 planar sections, other generally polygonal shapes are possible, such as pentagonal (five sides), hexagonal (six sides), heptagonal (seven sides), decagonal (ten sides), and dodecagonal (twelve sides) shapes which progressively define cross-sectional shapes that approximate a circle. Additionally, although inner chamber 300 is shown as having two sections 302, 304, more sections may be provided.
In the embodiment presented in the drawings, and as most easily seen in the schematic representations shown at
Each of the inner chamber first and second sections 302, 304 are provided with first and second side flanges that serve as a mating point for the two sections. In particular, the inner chamber first section 302 is provided with a first side flange 302j that extends the length of the first section 302 and is separated from adjacent planar section 302a by a bend line 302l. The inner chamber first section 302 is also provided with a second side flange 302k that extends the length of the first section 302 and is separated from adjacent planar section 302e by a bend line 202m. Similarly, the inner chamber second section is provided with a first side flange 304i that extends the length of the second section 304 and is separated from adjacent planar section 304a by a bend line 304l, and is provided with a second side flange 304k that extends the length of the second section 304 and is separated from adjacent planar section 304e by a bend line 304m.
As with the outer chamber 200, each of the first and second outer chamber sections 302, 304 can be formed from an initially flat sheet of metal by bending the flat sheet of metal at bend lines 302i/304i, 302f/304f, 302g/304g, 302h/304h, 302i/304i, 302l/304l, and 302m/304m. In one approach, the initially flat sheet can be bent at the bend lines by a press brake machine.
As most easily seen at
As shown, the inner chamber 300 houses and supports a bearing plate 312 which includes planar segments separated by bend lines and which includes a perimeter flange, both of which can be formed by, for example, a brake press machine. The bearing plate 312 is configured to support bearing assemblies 112 which in turn support rotating shaft 104 to which a belt pulley/sheave 110 and a rotatable fan rotor 102 are attached. As shown, the bearing plate 312 is attached to the inner chamber 300 by mechanical fasteners 310 whereby welding is not required. For example, in the embodiment shown, a middle section 312a of the bearing plate 312 is mechanically fastened via fasteners 310 to the inner chamber 300 between side flanges 302j/304j and side flanges 302k/304k. Also, upwardly bent end sections 312b of the bearing plate 312 are secured to the planar sections 202b, 202d of the outer chamber 200 via mechanical fasteners 313. This construction allows for the bearing plate 312 to structurally secure the inner chamber 300 within the outer chamber 200.
The inner chamber 300 may also be provided with tab sections 314 on one or more of the planar sections 302a-e, 304a-e at the first and second open ends 306, 308 that may be used for connection to an end plate 302 and a tail cone assembly 400, respectively. As shown, the end plate 302 is mechanically fastened to the inner chamber 300 via the tab sections 314 and fasteners 315 so as to cover the first open end 306. In operation, the end plate 302 prevents air from flowing through the interior of the inner chamber 300 and instead directs the airflow to the interstitial space between the inner and outer chambers 200, 300. As explained herein, the tail cone assembly 400 covers the second open end 308 of the inner chamber 300.
At the second open end 308 of the inner chamber 300, a tail cone assembly 400 may be provided and secured via fasteners 315 at tab sections 314. The tail cone assembly 400 functions to cover the second open end 308 of the inner chamber and to provide an aerodynamic transition for the airflow stream passing beyond the inner chamber 300.
The tail cone assembly 400 shares many of the same features as the inner and outer chambers 300, 200 in that the tail cone assembly 400 can be formed by folding initially flat sheets of metal and joining the structures together with non-welding means to form a tubular structure. Accordingly, the various planar sections and bend lines for the tail cone assembly 400 do not need to be discussed with regard to these similar features. With regard to the similar features, the descriptions for the inner and outer chambers 200, 300 are hereby incorporated by reference into the description for the tail cone assembly 400.
The tail cone assembly 400 is different from the outer and inner chambers 200, 300 in that a polyhedral shape is formed such that the tail cone assembly 400 tapers from a first open end 416 matching the second open end 308 of the inner chamber 300 to a second open end 418. The tail cone assembly also differs in that four separate sections 402, 404, 406, 408 are joined together instead of only two sections although fewer or more sections may be utilized. In the particular embodiment shown, the sections 402-408 are each identical, thus allowing for the tail cone assembly 400 to be produced from four of the same type of piece part. This approach reduces manufacturing costs. It is noted that sections 402 and 404 are shown as being provided with notched portions 414 which may be either formed after the section piece is produced or as section pieces that are non-identical to sections 406 and 408. Although the assembled tail cone assembly 400 is shown as defining a generally octagonal shape with 8 planar sections, other generally polygonal shapes are possible, such as pentagonal (five sides), hexagonal (six sides), heptagonal (seven sides), decagonal (ten sides), and dodecagonal (twelve sides) shapes which progressively define cross-sectional shapes that approximate a circle.
In the embodiment presented in the drawings, and as most easily seen in the schematic representations shown at
Each of the tail cone assembly sections 402-408 is provided with first and second side flanges that serve as a mating point for the adjacent sections. In particular, a first side flange 400f is provided that extends the length of the section and is separated from adjacent planar section 400a by a bend line 400h. Each section 402-408 is also provided with a second side flange 400g that extends the length of the section and is separated from adjacent planar section 400c by a bend line 400i.
As with the inner and outer chambers 200, 300, each section 402-408 can be formed from an initially flat sheet of metal by bending the flat sheet of metal at bend lines 400h, 400d, 400e, and 400i. In one approach, the initially flat sheet can be bent at the bend lines by a press brake machine.
As most easily seen at
The tail cone assembly 400 may also be provided with folded tab or flange sections 420, 412 on one or more of the planar sections 400a-c at the first and second open ends 416, 418 that may be used for connection to the inner chamber 300 and an end plate 422, respectively. As shown, the end plate 422 is mechanically fastened to the tail cone assembly 400 via the tab sections 422 so as to cover the second open end 418. In operation, the end plate 418 prevents air from flowing backwards through the interior of the inner chamber 300 via the tail cone assembly 400.
With reference to
