U.S. patent application number 15/090432 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-05 for ceiling fan and method of manufacture.
The applicant listed for this patent is Windmill Ceiling Fans LLC. Invention is credited to Phillip S. Eggers.
Application Number | 20170284405 15/090432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59959270 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170284405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eggers; Phillip S. |
October 5, 2017 |
CEILING FAN AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
Abstract
A fan having an outer circumferential support with a plurality
of radial penetrations. An inner circumferential support having a
plurality of radial penetrations. A plurality of blades, each
coupled to the outer circumferential support and the inner
circumferential support. A plurality of radial supports, each
radial support extending through a penetration of the inner
circumferential support and a penetration of the outer
circumferential support.
Inventors: |
Eggers; Phillip S.; (Plano,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Windmill Ceiling Fans LLC |
Plano |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59959270 |
Appl. No.: |
15/090432 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088 20130101;
F05D 2300/121 20130101; F04D 29/646 20130101; F04D 29/34 20130101;
F04D 29/023 20130101; F05D 2300/173 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 25/08 20060101
F04D025/08; F04D 29/34 20060101 F04D029/34; F04D 29/64 20060101
F04D029/64; F04D 29/02 20060101 F04D029/02 |
Claims
1. A fan comprising: an outer circumferential support having a
plurality of radial penetrations; an inner circumferential support
having a plurality of radial penetrations; a plurality of blades,
each coupled to the outer circumferential support and the inner
circumferential support; and a plurality of radial supports, each
radial support extending through a penetration of the inner
circumferential support and a penetration of the outer
circumferential support.
2. The fan of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential support is
fabricated from aluminum.
3. The fan of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential support is
fabricated from hollow aluminum tubing.
4. The fan of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential support is
fabricated from hollow aluminum tubing having a square
cross-section.
5. The fan of claim 1 wherein the inner circumferential support is
fabricated from aluminum.
6. The fan of claim 1 wherein the inner circumferential support is
fabricated from hollow aluminum tubing.
7. The fan of claim 1 wherein the inner circumferential support is
fabricated from hollow aluminum tubing having a square
cross-section.
8. The fan of claim 1 wherein each blade is fabricated from
aluminum.
9. The fan of claim 1 wherein each blade is fabricated from
aluminum and is coupled to the inner radial support by a bolt.
10. The fan of claim 1 wherein each blade is fabricated from
aluminum and is coupled to the outer radial support by a bolt.
11. The fan of claim 1 further comprising a fan motor coupled to
the plurality of radial supports.
12. The fan of claim 1 further comprising: a fan motor coupled to a
circular hub; and wherein the plurality of radial supports are
coupled to the circular hub.
13. A method of manufacturing a fan comprising: threading a
plurality of radial supports through penetrations in an inner
circumferential support and penetrations in an outer
circumferential support; securing the plurality of radial supports
to the outer circumferential support; securing the plurality of
radial supports to a fan motor; and securing a plurality of fan
blades to the inner circumferential support and the outer
circumferential support.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein securing the plurality of radial
supports to the fan motor comprises securing the fan motor to a
circular hub.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein securing the plurality of radial
supports to the fan motor comprises: securing the fan motor to a
circular hub; and securing the plurality of radial supports to the
circular hub.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein securing the plurality of radial
supports to the outer circumferential support comprises bolting
each of the radial supports to the outer circumferential
support.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein securing the plurality of fan
blades to the inner circumferential support and the outer
circumferential support comprises bolting each of the fan blades to
the inner circumferential support and the outer circumferential
support.
18. A method of fabricating a fan that has an outer circumferential
support having a plurality of radial penetrations, an inner
circumferential support having a plurality of radial penetrations,
a plurality of blades, each coupled to the outer circumferential
support and the inner circumferential support, a plurality of
radial supports, each radial support extending through a
penetration of the inner circumferential support and a penetration
of the outer circumferential support, wherein the outer
circumferential support is fabricated from hollow aluminum tubing
having a square cross-section, wherein the inner circumferential
support is fabricated from hollow aluminum tubing having a square
cross-section, wherein each blade is fabricated from aluminum and
is coupled to the inner radial support and the outer radial support
by a bolt, a fan motor coupled to a circular hub and wherein the
plurality of radial supports are coupled to the circular hub, the
method comprising: threading a plurality of radial supports through
penetrations in an inner circumferential support and penetrations
in an outer circumferential support; securing the plurality of
radial supports to the outer circumferential support; securing the
plurality of radial supports to a fan motor; securing a plurality
of fan blades to the inner circumferential support and the outer
circumferential support; wherein securing the plurality of radial
supports to the fan motor comprises: securing the fan motor to a
circular hub; and securing the plurality of radial supports to the
circular hub; wherein securing the plurality of radial supports to
the outer circumferential support comprises bolting each of the
radial supports to the outer circumferential support; and wherein
securing the plurality of fan blades to the inner circumferential
support and the outer circumferential support comprises bolting
each of the fan blades to the inner circumferential support and the
outer circumferential support.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ceiling fans,
and more specifically to a ceiling fan having an improved design
and method of manufacture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ceiling fans are typically designed to reduce weight. As
such, the use of extraneous ornamental features is typically
avoided, because they add unnecessary weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A fan having an outer circumferential support with a
plurality of radial penetrations. An inner circumferential support
having a plurality of radial penetrations. A plurality of blades,
each coupled to the outer circumferential support and the inner
circumferential support. A plurality of radial supports, each
radial support extending through a penetration of the inner
circumferential support and a penetration of the outer
circumferential support.
[0004] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
may be to scale, but emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating
the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the
drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views, and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a ceiling fan in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of fan from a first side, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are second, third and fourth side views,
respectively, showing additional circumferential positions around a
ceiling fan;
[0009] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a ceiling fan showing blades
underneath an outer circumferential support, an inner
circumferential support and a radial support;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a top view of a ceiling fan showing blades on top
of an outer circumferential support, an inner circumferential
support and a radial support;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a hub in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0012] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a hub in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In the description that follows, like parts are marked
throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference
numerals. The drawing figures may be to scale and certain
components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and
identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity
and conciseness.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a ceiling fan 100 in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Ceiling fan 100
includes blades 102, outer circumferential support 104, inner
circumferential support 106, radial supports 108 and hub 110, each
of which can be fabricated from metal, polymers, wood or other
suitable materials.
[0015] 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, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases
such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be
interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as
"between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used
herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to
about Y."
[0016] Blades 102 are coupled to outer circumferential support 104
and inner circumferential support 106 by nuts 114 or other suitable
mechanical fasteners, such as rivets or welds. Radial supports 108
are inserted through a penetration in inner circumferential support
106, and attached to hub 110 by welding, rivets, bolts or other
suitable fasteners, or can alternatively be fabricated from a
single piece, such as by casting, extrusion or in other suitable
manners. Each blade 102 can be fabricated separately and attached
to outer circumferential port 104 and inner circumferential support
106 in a suitable manner, such as by attaching a first blade 102 to
outer circumferential support 104 and inner circumferential support
106 with nuts 114 before attaching a second blade 102 in the next
circumferentially adjacent position, by attaching blades 102 at
opposite circumferential locations, by attaching four blades 102 at
90 degree offsets or in other suitable manners. In this manner, a
single person can assemble fan 100 at a remote location, or can be
assisted by one, two or more persons, who can each work in parallel
on the assembly. Fan 100 can thus be easily shipped in pieces to an
installation site and can then be assembled.
[0017] The shaft of motor 112 has a small circular mounting plate
attached to it, about 2'' in diameter, which is also attached to a
circular hub 110. Hub 110 has 6 holes in it, one for each radial
support 108, and the radial supports 108 are attached with a nut
onto hub 110. Each radial support 108 runs through a penetration in
inner circumferential support 106 and into outer circumferential
support 104 where it is attached with a nut onto the threaded end
again. Because fan 100 is being used in a horizontal disposition
instead of a vertical disposition, inner circumferential support
106 and outer circumferential support 104 can be fabricated from
hollow tubing, which can be square so as to provide additional
support. Furthermore, as fan 100 is being used for generating
cooling instead of transmitting torque from winds to generate
motive power (such as for typical applications of a windmill), the
blades, 102, outer circumferential support 104 and inner
circumferential support 106 can be fabricated from aluminum,
polymers or other light metals or materials, so as to only weigh 40
pounds or less.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of fan 100 from a first side, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 2, each blade 102 has a leading edge 202 that
extends outward from outer circumferential support 104, and an
attachment edge 204 that is secured to outer circumferential
support 104 by nut 114. FIG. 2 also shows motor 206, ceiling
support 208 and base 210.
[0019] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are second, third and fourth side views,
respectively, showing additional circumferential positions around
fan 100. Because fan 100 is symmetric, each of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are
identical.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of fan 100 showing blades 102
underneath outer circumferential support 104, inner circumferential
support 106 and radial support 108. As shown in FIG. 6, each radial
support 108 is coupled to hub 110 (not explicitly shown), and is
then inserted through a penetration in inner circumferential
support 106 and a corresponding penetration in outer
circumferential support 104 and is then secured by a nut 114 to
outer circumferential support 104.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a top view of fan 100 showing blades 102 on top of
outer circumferential support 104, inner circumferential support
106 and radial supports 108. As shown in FIG. 6, each radial
support 108 is coupled to hub 110, and is then inserted through a
penetration in inner circumferential support 106 and a
corresponding penetration in outer circumferential support 104 and
is then secured by a nut 114 to outer circumferential support 104.
Each blade is attached to outer circumferential support 104 and
inner circumferential support 106 by a single bolt or other
suitable attachment at the leading edge.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a hub 110 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Hub 110 includes
nuts 802, which are coupled to threads 804 of radial support 108.
In one exemplary embodiment, each radial support 108 is inserted
through a hole in hub 110, and nut 802 is then threaded on. Hub 110
further includes a shaft hole 808 and four support screw holes 806
that are used to couple the motor shaft to hub 110.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a hub 110 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Hub 110 includes
nuts 802, which are coupled to threads 804 of radial support 108.
Radial supports 108 are threaded through penetrations in outer
circumferential support 04 and inner circumferential support 106,
and are also coupled to outer circumferential support 104 by nuts
114.
[0024] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments
are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations
and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments
without departing from the principles of the present disclosure.
All such modifications and variations are intended to be included
herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the
following claims.
* * * * *