U.S. patent application number 10/623391 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for cross flow fan.
Invention is credited to Ricketts, Jonathan E., Schwinn, Kevin S., Wolters, Joshua J..
Application Number | 20050013685 10/623391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34063377 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050013685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ricketts, Jonathan E. ; et
al. |
January 20, 2005 |
Cross flow fan
Abstract
A fan for a cross flow fan assembly, including a plurality of
elongate fan blades supported in an axial cylindrical pattern about
a rotational axis by disk shape fan blade mounting members located
adjacent ends of the blades. The fan blades have radial outer end
portions defining an outer diameter of the fan, radial inner end
portions opposite the radial outer end portions, and curved
intermediate portions between the radial outer end portions and the
radial inner end portions, respectively. Each of the fan blades is
oriented such that the radial outer end is at about a 28.degree.
angle to a line tangent to the fan diameter at the outer end
portion thereof, and the radial inner end portion is directed
radially inwardly directly toward the axis or such that a line
tangential to the radial inner end portion will pass through the
axis.
Inventors: |
Ricketts, Jonathan E.;
(Viola, IL) ; Schwinn, Kevin S.; (Orion, IL)
; Wolters, Joshua J.; (Geneseo, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CNH AMERICA LLC
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW DEPARTMENT
PO BOX 1895, M.S. 641
NEW HOLLAND
PA
17557
US
|
Family ID: |
34063377 |
Appl. No.: |
10/623391 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/53.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 12/444 20130101;
F04D 29/283 20130101; F04D 29/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/053.1 |
International
Class: |
F04D 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cross flow fan for a cleaning system of an agricultural
combine, comprising: a plurality of elongate fan blades supported
in an axial cylindrical pattern about a rotational axis of the fan
by disk shape fan blade mounting members located adjacent axial
ends of the blades and rotatable about the axis, the fan blades
having radial outer end portions defining an outer diameter of the
fan, radial inner end portions opposite the radial outer end
portions, and curved intermediate portions between the radial end
portions, respectively; wherein each of the fan blades is oriented
such that the radial outer end portion is at about a 28.degree.
angle to a line tangent to the fan diameter at the radial outer end
portion and the radial inner end is directed radially inwardly
directly toward the axis.
2. The cross flow fan of claim 1, wherein the radial outer end
portions of adjacent ones of the fan blades are spaced apart by
between about 2.3 and 2.4 inches.
3. The cross flow fan of claim 2, wherein the radial inner end
portions of the adjacent ones of the fan blades are spaced apart by
between about 1.6 and 1.7 inches.
4. The cross flow fan of claim 3, wherein each fan blade has an
overall width as measured between the radial end portions thereof
of between about 2.5 and 2.6 inches.
5. The cross flow fan of claim 4, wherein the curved intermediate
portion of each of the fan blades has a radius of curvature of
between about 2.0 and 2.1 inches.
6. The cross flow fan of claim 1, wherein the disk shape fan blade
mounting members each include axially facing curved grooves for
receiving and holding longitudinal ends of the fan blades, at least
the grooves of a center one of the mounting members being adapted
for receiving and holding alternating ones of the blades extending
in opposite directions.
7. A cross flow fan for an agricultural combine for generating and
directing a flow of air to a cleaning system of the combine,
comprising: a plurality of elongate fan blades supported in an
axial cylindrical pattern about a rotational axis by disk shape fan
blade mounting members located adjacent axial ends of the blades
and rotatable about the axis, each of the fan blades having a
radial outer end portion defining an outer diameter of the fan, a
radial inner end portion opposite the radial outer end portion, and
a curved shape extending between the radial end portions; wherein
each of the fan blades is oriented such that the radial outer end
portion is oriented at about a 28.degree. angle to a line tangent
to the fan diameter at the radial outer end portion and the radial
inner end portion is oriented such that a line tangent thereto will
pass through the axis.
8. The cross flow fan of claim 7, wherein the radial outer end
portions of adjacent ones of the fan blades are spaced apart by
between about 2.3 and 2.4 inches.
9. The cross flow fan of claim 8, wherein the radial inner end
portions of the adjacent ones of the fan blades are spaced apart by
between about 1.6 and 1.7 inches.
10. The cross flow fan of claim 7, wherein each fan blade has an
overall width as measured between the radial end portions thereof
of between about 2.5 and 2.6 inches.
11. The cross flow fan of claim 7, wherein the curve shape of each
of the fan blades has a radius of curvature of between about 2.0
and 2.1 inches.
12. The cross flow fan of claim 7, wherein the disk shape fan blade
mounting members each include axially facing curved grooves for
receiving and holding longitudinal ends of the fan blades, at least
the grooves of a center one of the mounting members being adapted
for receiving and holding alternating ones of the blades extending
in opposite directions.
13. The cross flow fan of claim 7, wherein the fan has a diameter
of from about 15 to about 16 inches.
14. A cross flow fan for an agricultural combine for generating and
directing a flow of air to a cleaning system of the combine,
comprising: a plurality of elongate fan blades supported in an
axial cylindrical pattern about a rotational axis by disk shape fan
blade mounting members located adjacent axial ends of the blades
and rotatable about the axis, each of the fan blades having a
radial outer end portion defining an outer diameter of the fan, a
radial inner end portion opposite the radial outer end portion, and
a curved shape extending between the radial end portions; wherein
the fan has a diametrical extent of from about 15 to about 16
inches and each of the fan blades is oriented such that the radial
outer end portion is oriented at about a 28.degree. angle to a line
tangent to the fan diameter at the radial outer end portion and the
radial inner end portion is oriented such that a line tangent
thereto will pass through the axis.
15. The cross flow fan of claim 14, wherein the radial outer end
portions of adjacent ones of the fan blades are spaced apart by
between about 2.3 and 2.4 inches.
16. The cross flow fan of claim 15, wherein the radial inner end
portions of the adjacent ones of the fan blades are spaced apart by
between about 1.6 and 1.7 inches.
17. The cross flow fan of claim 14, wherein each fan blade has an
overall width as measured between the radial end portions thereof
of between about 2.5 and 2.6 inches.
18. The cross flow fan of claim 14, wherein the curve shape of each
of the fan blades has a radius of curvature of between about 2.0
and 2.1 inches.
19. The cross flow fan of claim 14, wherein the disk shape fan
blade mounting members each include axially facing curved grooves
for receiving and holding longitudinal ends of the fan blades, at
least the grooves of a center one of the mounting members being
adapted for receiving and holding alternating ones of the blades
extending in opposite directions.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to a fan for a cleaning
system of an agricultural combine, and more particularly, to a
cross or transverse flow fan which provides a relatively high air
flow volume at a relatively lower cost than other known cross flow
fans for combine cleaning systems.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A typical agricultural combine includes a crop header
apparatus which reaps planted grain stalks and then feeds them to a
threshing apparatus arranged within a body of the combine. The
threshing apparatus functions to separate grain from material other
than grain. The grain falls through openings in the threshing
apparatus and is directed to a cleaning system also arranged within
the combine body.
[0003] A typical cleaning system includes oscillating cleaning
sieves. The cleaning sieves are located below the threshing
apparatus to receive the grain and other materials expelled from
the threshing apparatus. The oscillation of the sieves arranges the
material in a crop mat or veil on top of the sieve. By forcing a
stream of air upwardly through the sieve, chaff, straw and other
lighter material in the crop material mat is separated from heavier
grain, and the chaff, straw and other lighter material is directed
out through the rear end of the combine by the air flow. The
heavier seeds or grain fall through the sieves for collection.
[0004] Developments in modern agricultural combines have led to
increased power and output demands, such that cleaning system
capacity has been and continues to be a limiting factor to
performance of the combine. A readily achieved method of increasing
combine efficiency is to increase the size of the cleaning area and
the sieves to spread the crop material across a wider area and in a
thinner crop mat or veil. However, it has been found that
increasing the width of the cleaning area requires increasing the
width of the combine. Because of the width of fence openings and
the size of doors of equipment storage buildings and the like,
increasing the width of a combine beyond current limits presents
significant problems.
[0005] Transverse or cross flow blower fans are particularly useful
in combination with combine cleaning sections because they conserve
space and produce a wide stream of air that is directed upwardly
toward the cleaning sieves of the cleaning section. Because the fan
in an agricultural combine is disposed closer to the ground over
which the combine moves, increasing fan diameter so as to decrease
ground clearance would be undesirable.
[0006] Thus, what is sought is a cross flow fan construction
capable of providing increased and enhanced air flow capability
required for a larger cleaning system of a combine, but which
overcomes many of the problems and shortcomings set forth
above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] What is disclosed is a fan for a cross flow fan assembly
which overcomes many of the problems and shortcomings set forth
above. According to the invention, the fan includes a plurality of
elongate fan blades supported in an axial cylindrical pattern about
a rotational axis by disk shape fan blade mounting members located
adjacent ends of the blades. The fan blades have radial outer end
portions defining an outer diameter of the fan, radial inner end
portions opposite the radial outer end portions, and curved
intermediate portions between the radial outer end portions and the
radial inner end portions, respectively. Each of the fan blades is
preferably oriented such that the radial outer end is at about a
28.degree. angle to a line tangent to the fan diameter at the outer
end portion thereof, and the radial inner end portion is directed
radially inwardly directly toward the axis or such that a line
tangential to the radial inner end portion will pass through the
axis. Also preferably, the fan has a diameter of about 15.5 inches,
40 blades, and spacing between radial outer ends of adjacent ones
of the blades of about 2.375 inches. A preferred depth of the
blades as measured between the radial outer end portion and the
radial inner end portion thereof is about 2.5 inches, and the blade
curvature has a radius of about 2 inches. Also preferably, the fan
includes two sets or ranks of the fan blades in end-to-end relation
and skewed toward their common ends. The common ends are received
in and supported by a single fan blade mounting member in
alternating relation one to the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of an agricultural combine including a
fan for a cross flow fan assembly according to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the fan of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of the fan of FIG. 2, showing
fan blades supported in a fan blade mounting member of the fan;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the fan,
illustrating spacing between the fan blades; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is an end view of a fan blade of the fan, showing
various parameters thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a representative
agricultural combine 10 including a cross flow fan 12 constructed
and operable according to the teachings of the present invention,
for directing a flow of air, denoted by the arrows, upwardly
through sieves 14 and 16 of a cleaning system 18, is shown. Cross
flow fan 12 is located in a lower region of a chassis or frame of
combine 10, generally beneath a threshing system 20, and the flow
of air is directed toward sieves 14 and 16 by guides of sheet metal
or other material (not shown) in the well known manner.
[0014] Referring also to FIG. 2, cross flow fan 12 includes a
plurality of elongate fan blades 22 supported and held in an axial
cylindrical, skewed pattern about a central rotational axis 24, by
a plurality of axially spaced disk shape fan blade mounting members
26, supported on an axially extending shaft 28.
[0015] Referring also to FIG. 3, each fan blade mounting member 26
is preferably of molded construction of metal or plastics material,
and includes a plurality of curve shape axially facing fan blade
mounting grooves 30 therein at angularly spaced locations around
axis 24. Each mounting groove 30 is adapted for receiving a fan
blade 22 therein and includes a detent tab 32 receivable in a hole
(not shown) in a fan blade 22 inserted into groove 30, for
retaining the blade therein. Mounting member 26 in FIG. 3 is shown
including fan blades 22 mounted in alternating ones of mounting
grooves 30, which is representative of the four fan blade mounting
members 26 closest to the axial ends of fan 12. Fan blade mounting
member 26 at the middle of fan 12 is different, in that each of
mounting grooves 30 supports a fan blade 22, alternating ones of
grooves 30 of that mounting member holding fan blades extending in
opposite axial directions, as best shown in FIG. 2. Fan 12 thus
includes two sets or ranks of fan blades in end-to-end relation,
the common ends being supported by a single mounting member 26. As
also shown in FIG. 2, fan 12 preferably has an overall diameter D
as measured around radial outer end portions 34 of blades 22 of
between about 15 and 16 inches, as denoted by diameter D in FIG.
2.
[0016] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the radial outer end
portions of adjacent ones of fan blades 22 are preferably spaced
apart by between about 2.3 and 2.4 inches, as denoted by distance A
in FIG. 4, and radial inner end portions 36 are preferably spaced
apart by between about 1.6 and 1.7 inches, as denoted by distance
B. Referring more particularly to FIG. 5, each individual blade 22
has a preferred overall width as measured between end portions 34
and 36 of between about 2.5 and 2.6 inches, as denoted at W, and a
radius of curvature of between about 2.0 and 2.1 inches, as denoted
by radius R. Further preferably, a line tangent to radial outer end
portion 34 of each fan blade 22 is oriented at about a 28.degree.
degree angle to a line tangent to the outer diameter of the fan at
radial outer end portion 34, as denoted by angle C, and a line
tangential to radial inner end portion 36 will pass through axis
24, as denoted by line E.
[0017] As a result of the above geometrical and dimensional
parameters, fan output air volume and pressure are significantly
increased without increasing fan rotational speed, compared to
previously used fans. This allows the cleaning system capacity to
be increased, without increasing the size thereof.
[0018] It will be understood that changes in the details,
materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been
described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention
will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a
reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the
invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred
embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the
description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing
from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims
are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the
specific form shown.
* * * * *