Patent Application
20170341094
Embodiments described herein generally relate to fan assemblies and devices that utilize fan assemblies. Specific embodiments may include fans and fan systems adapted for use in tunnel applications.
Fans are used in a number of ways that may aid in controlling a fire. Improved fan assemblies are desired for fire related applications. In one example, fans may be used to remove smoke from a vicinity of a fire. Tunnel fires present special problems due to the consumption of oxygen by the fire disrupting normal air flow.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, or logical changes, etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
An impeller 122 is shown located within a middle portion of the housing 110. In the example shown, the impeller 122 is attached to an axle of a motor 124 that is also located within the middle portion of the housing 110. In other examples, a motor, or other driving mechanism, may be located external to the housing, and a transmission may be coupled to the impeller 122. In the example of
A first nozzle 130 is located within the air flow channel between the impeller 122 and the first end 112 of the housing 110. A second nozzle 132 is located within the air flow channel between the impeller 122 and the second end 114 of the housing. In the example of
In the example of
A water supply 140 is shown in block diagram format. The water supply 140 is coupled to one or more of the nozzles as described above. A fire suppression chemical supply 142 is also shown in block diagram format in
In one example, the fan assembly 100 may be operated only as a fan. The circuitry 126 may select a direction of air flow toward either the first end 112 or the second end 114 of the housing 110, and the nozzles remain unused.
In one example, the fan assembly 100 may be operated to provide air flow while concurrently, the nozzles provide an amount of water within the housing 110. The addition of water within the housing 110 provides a number of advantages. In one example, water added to the air flow within the housing 110 helps the fan assembly develop up to 25% higher thrust when compared to air alone, which can provide better circulation in the event of a fire. In one example, the motor 124 size is chosen to account for the increased density of mater added to the airflow, and the resulting increase in thrust. In one example, an AC motor is sized at 75% of full load, where the full load accounts for the optional additional density of water added within the housing 110.
The addition of water within the housing 110 also provides a cooling effect to the fan motor 124 as shown in
In one example, the fan assembly 100 may be operated only as water dispersal device. For example, if the fan motor 124 were to fail, the water supply 140 will continue to function and provide a level of fire suppression. It is beneficial to continue to have water being supplied to a fire zone, even after the fan motor 124 has failed.
In one example, the fan assembly 100 is reversible in air flow direction.
A first silencer 530 is shown coupled to an end of the housing 510. A second silencer 540 is shown coupled to an opposite end of the housing 510 to the first silencer 530. A first nozzle 534 is located on a first axial side 526 of the impeller 522. A second nozzle 544 is located on a second axial side 528 of the impeller 522 opposite the first axial side 526.
In the example shown, there are multiple nozzles on both the first axial side 526 and the second axial side 528, although the invention is not so limited. In the example shown, the nozzles are located on respective walls 532 and 542 of the first silencer 530 and second silencer 540. As with examples above, other locations within the silencers 530, 540 are also within the scope of the invention. Although two silencers are shown in
In one example one or more of the silencers 530, 540 includes a sound suppression material located on or within walls 532, 542 of the silencers 530, 540. In one example, a metal wool material may be included between hollow walls of one or more of the silencers 530, 540. Perforations within the hollow walls in combination with the metal wool material provides a level of noise suppression that is desirable in many fan assemblies. In particular, in a tunnel ventilation setting, it is desirable to include noise suppression configurations such as silencers 530, 540 because of the inherent echo within a tunnel.
In the example shown, fan assembly 620A may operate in either direction 622, to draw smoke away from the fire 630. The remaining fan assemblies 620B, 620C, and 620D may operate in coordination with fan 620A, to also draw smoke away from the fire 630. In one example, the fan assemblies 620A, 620B, 620C, and 620D may be operated in either direction as indicated in the Figure, with a selected direction that best removes smoke.
In addition to drawing away smoke, as described above, one or more of the fan assemblies 620A, 620B, 620C, and 620D may be equipped with nozzles that introduce water and/or fire suppression chemicals to the system 600. This configuration provides the additional benefits as described above. For example, increasing thrust of the fan assemblies 620A, 620B, 620C, and 620D, and cooling respective fan motors in the fan assemblies 620A, 620B, 620C, and 620D.
To better illustrate the method and apparatuses disclosed herein, a non-limiting list of embodiments is provided here:
Example 1 includes a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes 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.
Example 2 includes the fan assembly of example 1 wherein the housing includes a cylindrical housing.
Example 3 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-2, wherein there are multiple nozzles on each side of the impeller.
Example 4 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-3, 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.
Example 5 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-4, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are located on a wall of the housing.
Example 6 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-5, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are located between a wall of the housing and a center axis of the housing.
Example 7 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-6, wherein first nozzle and the second nozzle are connected to a water supply.
Example 8 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-7, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are further connected to a fire suppression chemical supply.
Example 9 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 1-8, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are configured to provide an atomized mist.
Example 10 includes a fan assembly, including 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.
Example 11 includes the fan assembly of example 10, further including a second silencer coupled to an end of the housing opposite the first silencer.
Example 12 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 10-11, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and second nozzle is located within the first silencer.
Example 13 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 10-12, wherein the first nozzle is located within the first silencer and the second nozzle located within the second silencer.
Example 14 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 10-13, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are connected to a water supply.
Example 15 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 10-14, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are further connected to a fire suppression chemical supply.
Example 16 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples 10-15, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are configured to provide an atomized mist.
Example 17 includes a method, including 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.
Example 18 includes the method of example 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.
Example 19 includes the method of any one of examples 17-18, further including detecting a fire location within the tunnel, and selecting a fan direction away from the fire.
Example 20 includes the method of any one of examples 17-19, 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.
Example 21 includes the method of any one of examples 17-20, further including operating only a water supply in the event of a power failure where the fan is disabled.
The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/342,244, filed May 27, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62342244 | May 2016 | US |
