U.S. patent application number 16/267630 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-08 for ceiling fan.
The applicant listed for this patent is TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED. Invention is credited to J. Porter Whitmire.
Application Number | 20190242392 16/267630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67475432 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-08 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190242392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whitmire; J. Porter |
August 8, 2019 |
CEILING FAN
Abstract
A ceiling fan includes a central hub, a motor disposed in the
central hub, an impeller coupled to the motor, and a plurality of
fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub. The central
hub includes an interior chamber. The impeller is operable to
rotate relative to the central hub. At least one of the plurality
of fan blades includes a nozzle that defines an interior passageway
and an outlet. The interior passageway of the nozzle is in fluid
communication with the interior chamber of the central hub. The
motor actuates the impeller for drawing air into the interior
chamber of the central hub, forcing the air to the interior
passageway of the nozzle, and expelling the air from the
outlet.
Inventors: |
Whitmire; J. Porter;
(Greenville, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED |
Macau |
|
MO |
|
|
Family ID: |
67475432 |
Appl. No.: |
16/267630 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62627438 |
Feb 7, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088 20130101;
F04D 29/601 20130101; F04F 5/00 20130101; F04D 25/10 20130101; F04F
5/16 20130101; F04F 5/46 20130101; F04D 29/34 20130101; F04D 27/004
20130101; F04D 29/388 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 25/08 20060101
F04D025/08; F04D 29/34 20060101 F04D029/34 |
Claims
1. A ceiling fan comprising: a central hub including an interior
chamber; a motor disposed in the central hub; an impeller coupled
to the motor for rotation relative to the central hub; and a
plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub,
at least one of the plurality of fan blades including a nozzle that
defines an interior passageway and an outlet, and the interior
passageway of the nozzle being in fluid communication with the
interior chamber of the central hub; wherein the motor actuates the
impeller for drawing air into the interior chamber of the central
hub, forcing the air to the interior passageway of the nozzle, and
expelling the air from the outlet.
2. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising a drive assembly
supported by the central hub, the drive assembly operable to move
the plurality of fan blades relative to the central hub.
3. The ceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the drive assembly is
operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades about a central axis
of the central hub.
4. The ceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the drive assembly is
operable to tilt a fan blade of the plurality of fan blades about a
longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to a central axis of the
central hub.
5. The ceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the drive assembly includes:
a first motor; a first ring gear coupled to the first motor; the
first ring gear being configured to induce rotation of the
plurality of fan blades; a second motor; and a second ring gear
coupled to the second motor, the second ring gear being configured
to induce oscillation of the plurality of fan blades.
6. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the central hub includes an
inlet in fluid communication with the interior chamber, and wherein
the air enters the interior chamber through the inlet.
7. The ceiling fan of claim 6, wherein the inlet is positioned
above the plurality of fan blades.
8. The ceiling fan of claim 1 further comprising a light positioned
below the plurality of fan blades.
9. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fan
blades includes a nozzle that defines an interior passageway and an
outlet.
10. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
fan blades comprises multiple outlets.
11. The ceiling fan of claim 10, wherein the multiple outlets are
formed in a decorative design.
12. A ceiling fan comprising: a central hub having a central axis;
a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub,
a fan blade of the plurality of fan blades having a longitudinal
axis that is perpendicular to the central axis; and a drive
assembly supported by the central hub, the drive assembly being
operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades relative to the
central axis of the central hub, and the drive assembly being
operable to rotate the fan blade relative to the longitudinal
axis.
13. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein: each of the plurality of
fan blades includes a respective longitudinal axis, the drive
assembly is configured to simultaneously rotate each of the
plurality of fan blades relative to the respective longitudinal
axis.
14. The ceiling fan of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of
fan blades is independently rotatable to a respective tilt angle by
the drive assembly, and wherein at least a first tilt angle is
different from a second tilt angle.
15. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein the drive assembly
includes a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades
relative to the central axis.
16. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein the drive assembly
includes a ring gear secured to a section of the central hub that
supports the plurality of fan blades, and wherein a motor is
coupled to the ring gear to rotate the ring gear for inducing
rotation of the plurality of fan blades relative to the central
axis.
17. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein the each of the plurality
of fan blades includes a respective oscillation gear, and wherein
the drive assembly is configured to move each respective
oscillation gear to tilt each of the plurality of fan blades.
18. The ceiling fan of claim 12, further comprising: a motor
disposed in the central hub; and an impeller coupled to the motor;
the motor being configured to actuate the impeller to draw air into
the central hub and force the air through the plurality of fan
blades.
19. A ceiling fan comprising: a central hub including: an interior
chamber; a first motor disposed in the central hub; and an impeller
coupled to the first motor; a plurality of fan blades extending
outwardly from the central hub, each of the plurality of fan blades
including a nozzle and an oscillation gear, each nozzle defining an
interior passageway and an outlet, and the interior passageway of
each nozzle being in fluid communication with the interior chamber
of the central hub; a drive assembly supported by the central hub,
the drive assembly including: a ring gear coupled to a respective
oscillation gear of each of the plurality of fan blades; and a
second motor coupled to the ring gear, wherein the second motor is
configured to move the ring gear relative to a central axis of the
hub to tilt each of the plurality of fan blades relative to a
longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the central axis; and
wherein the first motor is configured to actuate the impeller to
draw air into the interior chamber of the central hub, force the
air to the interior passageways of the nozzles, and expel the air
out from the outlets of the plurality of fan blades.
20. The ceiling fan of claim 19, wherein the drive assembly further
comprises: a second ring gear supporting the plurality of fan
blades; and a third motor coupled to the second ring gear, the
third motor being configured to rotate the second ring gear for
rotating the plurality of fan blades about the central axis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/627,438, filed Feb. 7, 2018, the entire contents
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present subject matter relates to ceiling fans, and in
particular, to bladeless ceiling fans.
[0003] Ceiling fans may be mounted to ceilings to circulate air
within rooms. Some fans include blades or impellers positioned
within a housing such that the blades or impellers are not visible
to a user. Such fans are referred to as bladeless fans. A bladeless
fan typically draws air through an opening in the housing and
guides the air through inner pathways until the air is pushed out
of the inner pathways in a given direction. Taking advantage of the
Bernoulli principle and Coanda effect, high velocity air expelled
from the bladeless fans draws additional air into the airflow zone,
thereby increasing a total air flow.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, a ceiling fan includes a central hub, a
motor disposed in the central hub, an impeller coupled to the
motor, and a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the
central hub. The central hub may include an interior chamber. The
impeller may be operable to rotate relative to the central hub. At
least one of the plurality of fan blades may include a nozzle that
defines an interior passageway and an outlet. The interior
passageway of the nozzle may be in fluid communication with the
interior chamber of the central hub. The motor may actuate the
impeller for drawing air into the interior chamber of the central
hub, forcing the air to the interior passageway of the nozzle, and
expelling the air from the outlet.
[0005] In another embodiment, a ceiling fan includes a central hub,
a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub,
and a drive assembly supported by the central hub. The central hub
may have a central axis. A fan blade of the plurality of fan blades
may have a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the central
axis. The drive assembly may be operable to rotate the plurality of
fan blades relative to the central axis of the central hub. The
drive assembly may be operable to rotate the fan blade relative to
the longitudinal axis.
[0006] In a further embodiment, the ceiling fan includes a central
hub, a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central
hub, and a drive assembly supported by the central hub. The central
hub may include an interior chamber, a first motor that may be
disposed in the central hub, and an impeller that may be coupled to
the first motor. Each of the plurality of fan blades may include a
nozzle and an oscillation gear. Each nozzle may define an interior
passageway and an outlet. The interior passageway of each nozzle
may be in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the
central hub. The drive assembly may include a ring gear that may be
coupled to a respective oscillation gear of each of the plurality
of fan blades and a second motor that may be coupled to the ring
gear. The second motor may be configured to move the ring gear
relative to a central axis of the hub to tilt each of the plurality
of fan blades relative to a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular
to the central axis. The first motor may be configured to actuate
the impeller to draw air into the interior chamber of the central
hub, force the air to the interior passageways of the nozzles, and
expel the air out from the outlets of the plurality of fan
blades.
[0007] Other aspects of the present subject matter will become
apparent by consideration of the detailed description and
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling fan of FIG.
1 taken along section line A-A.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling fan of FIG.
1 taken along section line A-A and depicting airflow through the
ceiling fan.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ceiling
fan of FIG. 1 taken along section line B-B.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a portion of the ceiling fan of
FIG. 1 with a portion of a central hub removed.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan according to
another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan according to
another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan according to
another embodiment of the present subject.
[0016] Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be
understood that the present subject matter is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and the arrangement of
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the following drawings. The present subject matter is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIGS. 1-8 illustrate ceiling fans, generally designated 100,
200, 300. The ceiling fans 100, 200, 300 may be used within rooms
to create airflows within the rooms. Such airflows may be useful
for improved heating of the room, improved cooling of the room,
and/or the like.
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the ceiling fan 100 may include
a central hub 104 and a plurality of fan blades 108 positioned
circumferentially around the central hub 104. The plurality of fan
blades 108 may be coupled to and extend outwardly from the central
hub 104. The central hub 104 may include at least one inlet 112 and
an interior chamber 116 (FIGS. 2-3). The inlet 112 may be in fluid
communication with the interior chamber 116. The inlet 112 may be
defined by one or more openings in the central hub 104. In the
illustrated embodiment, the inlet 112 may be positioned above the
plurality of fan blades 108 (e.g., more proximate the ceiling). In
other embodiments, the inlet 112 may be positioned elsewhere on the
central hub 104 (e.g., on an exterior side of the central hub 104,
on a wall of the central hub 104, and/or the like).
[0019] The fan blades 108 may be coupled to the central hub 104 by
way of a stem 120. In some embodiments, the stem 120 may define a
channel that may communicate with the interior chamber 116 of the
central hub 120. One or more of the fan blades 108 may be formed as
and/or include a nozzle 124. The nozzle 124 may include or define a
longitudinal axis B that extends along a length of the
corresponding fan blade 108. As shown in the illustrated
embodiment, each nozzle 124 may be formed as a generally annularly
shaped nozzle 124 that defines a central aperture 128 extending
through the nozzle 124, an interior passageway 130 (FIGS. 2-3) in
fluid communication with the channel of the stem 120, and/or an
outlet 132 that may expel air from the fan blade 108.
[0020] The interior passageway 130 (FIGS. 2-3) of each nozzle 124
may be in fluid communication with the interior chamber 116 of the
central hub 104 by way of the internally disposed channel of the
stem 120, and such passageway may extend uninterrupted around a
perimeter the nozzle 124 of and/or or along a length of the nozzle
124. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 132 may be
formed along a lower edge 134 of the nozzle 124, the lower edge 134
being disposed a distance away from a ceiling to which the ceiling
fan 100 may attach. The outlet 132 may be configured to expel air
out of the ceiling fan 100 in a downward direction relative to the
central hub 104, as depicted in FIG. 3. Additional ceiling fan
embodiments may include additional outlets 132 and/or an outlet 132
positioned at alternative locations along the fan blades 108. The
outlets 132 may also be angled (e.g., by way of providing angled
and/or overlapping outlet surfaces or walls) to expel the air in a
direction angled relative to the central hub 104. In the
illustrated embodiment, the ceiling fan 100 may include four fan
blades 108. The fan blades 108 may be equally or non-equally spaced
about the central hub 104. In other embodiments, the ceiling fan
100 may include fewer or more fan blades 108 and may include fan
blades of differing shapes (e.g., circular, rectangular,
elliptical, and/or the like), lengths, and/or the like.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2, the central hub 104 may include a
first, upper section 136, a second, middle section 140, and a
third, lower section 144. In some embodiments, the central hub 104
may include fewer or additional sections. The upper section 136 may
be configured to attach (e.g., via mounting, adhering, coupling,
and/or the like) to a ceiling or other suitable surface or
structure (e.g., a rafter, and/or the like) of a building. The
upper section 136 may include suitable structures for mounting to
the ceiling, such as a bracket for coupling directly to the ceiling
or for receiving a downrod. The upper section 136 may also define
the inlet 112. The middle section 140 is located between the upper
section 136 and the lower section 144 and supports the fan blades
108. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the lower section 144
may support a light emitting portion 146 of the ceiling fan 100.
The light emitting portion 146 may include one or more incandescent
bulbs. In other embodiments, the light emitting portion 146 may
include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other suitable
light emitters or elements. The lower section 144 may also include
a lens 147 or other suitable cover for covering the light emitters
of the light emitting portion 146. The various sections (e.g., 136,
140, 144) of the central hub 104 may be secured to each other such
that the middle section 140 may be able to rotate respective to
(e.g., about, around, and/or the like) a central axis C of the
central hub 104, while the upper section 136 and/or the lower
section 144 may remain stationary.
[0022] The ceiling fan 100 may also include a motor 148 (e.g., a
first motor) and an impeller 152. The motor 148 and the impeller
152 may be disposed proximate to the central hub 104, and in some
embodiments be positioned within the interior chamber 116 of the
central hub 104. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the motor
148 may be positioned within the upper section 136 of the central
hub 104. The motor 148 may be electrically coupled to a power
source within a room in which the ceiling fan 100 may be
positioned. Alternatively, the motor 148 may be electrically
coupled to a battery supported by the central hub 104, such as a
battery pack. The impeller 152 may be coupled to an output shaft
(not shown) of the motor 148. The motor 148 may rotate the impeller
152 respective to the output shaft to induce an airflow that draws
air into the interior passageways of the central hub 104 through
the air inlet 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 148 may
rotate the impeller 152 about the central axis C of the central hub
104. The impeller 152 may be associated with a bladeless fan
operable by way of bladeless technology for generating an airflow
through ceiling fan 100. In this way, bladeless technology may be
used in conjunction with bladed technology imparted by way of
employing fan blades 108 for producing a desired airflow in a
room.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2-3, during operation of the ceiling
fan 100, the motor 148 may rotate the impeller 152 to draw air from
outside the ceiling fan 100 into the ceiling fan 100 through the
air inlet 112 and into the interior chamber 116 of the central hub
104. Once air is inside the central hub 104, the impeller 152 may
propel the air through the channels of the stems 120 and into the
interior passageways 130 of the plurality of fan blades 108. The
air may travel around the entirety of the fan blades 108, in some
embodiments. As the air circulates through the interior passageways
130 of the fan blades 108, the air may be expelled out of the
ceiling fan 100 through the outlets 132 at a relatively high
velocity. Due to natural convection and the high velocity at which
the air is expelled from the outlets 132, surrounding air may be
drawn through the central apertures 128 of the fan blades 108
through inducement of air behind the fan blades 108, while
additional airflow combines with the induced air through
entrainment of air on edges of the fan blades 108, causing an
amplifying effect. In this way, the ceiling fan 100 may provide
improved air circulation and/or airflow in a room for improved
heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or the like.
[0024] In some embodiments, each of the fan blades 108 may include
a separate motor and a separate impeller coupled to the separate
motor for inducing an airflow in the fan blade 108, rather than
employing the shared motor 148 and impeller 152 described above. In
such embodiments, each of the fan blades 108 may also include an
air inlet positioned adjacent the stem 120.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 4-5, the ceiling fan 100 may include
a drive assembly 154 for rotating and/or tilting the fan blades 108
for inducing a desired airflow. The drive assembly 154 may include
a first gear 156 (FIG. 5) and a second motor 160 (FIG. 5). The
first gear 156 may be a ring gear and, more particularly, an inner
ring gear. The first gear 156 may be positioned within and coupled
to the middle section 140 of the central hub 104 such that the
first gear 156 and the central hub 104 share the central axis C
(e.g., the central hub 104 and first gear 156 may be centered
respective to the central axis C, the central hub 104 and first
gear 156 may co-rotate respective to the central axis C in a same
or different directions, and/or the like). The first gear 156 may
also be secured to the middle section 140 for causing rotation of
the middle section 140 (and, thereby, the fan blades 108) about the
central axis C relative to the upper section 136 and the lower
section 144. The second motor 160 may be positioned within the
middle section 140 and be mounted on an upper plate 164 of the
lower section 144. The second motor 160 may include a respective
motor gear or pinion 168 (FIG. 5) coupled to (e.g., intermeshed
with) the first gear 156. The second motor 160 may be operable to
rotate the first gear 156, the middle section 140 of the central
hub 104, and/or the fan blades 108 about the central axis C as the
motor pinion 168 drives the first gear 156.
[0026] When power is supplied to the second motor 160, the second
motor 160 may rotate the motor pinion 168. Since the motor pinion
168 and the first gear 156 may be meshed, rotation of the first
gear 168 may cause the first gear 156 to rotate. Due to the first
gear 156 being secured to the middle section 140 of the central hub
104, rotation of the first gear 156 may cause the middle section
140, and thus the fan blades 108, to rotate about the central axis
C of the central hub 104. During rotation of the middle section
140, the upper section 136 and the lower section 144 may remain
stationary. The speed of rotation of the middle section 140 and the
fan blades 108 may be determined by the revolutions per minute
(rpm) of the second motor 160. Additionally, or alternatively, the
direction of the rotation of the fan blades 108 may be determined
by the direction of rotation of the second motor 160.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the rpm and the direction of
rotation of the second motor 160 may be set and/or controlled by a
user input (e.g., an app on a smartphone or computer, a remote
control, a pull cord, an actuator on the central hub 104, etc.). In
additional embodiments, the rpm and the direction of rotation of
the second motor 160 may be determined and set by a control scheme
that measures environmental parameters (e.g., room temperature,
room humidity, and/or the like).
[0028] Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, and in some embodiments,
the drive assembly 154 may additionally include a second gear 172
and a respective motor, in this case a third motor 176. The second
gear 172 may be a ring gear and, more particularly, an outer ring
gear. The second gear 172 may be positioned within the middle
section 140 of the central hub 104 such that the second gear 172
and the central hub 104 may be co-axial respective to central axis
C. The second gear 172 may also be positioned outside of (e.g.,
around) the first gear 156. The third motor 176 may be positioned
within the middle section 140 and mounted on the upper plate 164 of
the lower section 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the second
motor 160 and the third motor 176 may be positioned on
diametrically opposite sides of the upper plate 164 to help balance
the central hub 104. In other embodiments, the second motor 160 and
the third motor 176 may be positioned adjacent each other or
elsewhere on the central hub 104. The third motor 176 may include a
respective motor gear or pinion 180 coupled to (e.g., intermeshed
with) the second gear 172. Each fan blade 108 may also include an
oscillation gear 184 coupled to (e.g., intermeshed with) the second
gear 172. The oscillation gears 184 may be disposed on, over,
around and/or proximate to the stems 120 of the plurality of fan
blades 108, and be oriented so that a center of an annular opening
of the oscillation gears 184 are substantially orthogonal to the
central axis C. The motor pinion 180 may engage teeth formed on one
side of the second gear 172, while the oscillation gears 184 may
engage teeth formed on an opposite side of the second gear 172. The
third motor 176 may be operable to move the second gear 172
respective to the central axis C to tilt (e.g., by way of rotating)
the fan blades 108 about their respective longitudinal axes B as
the motor pinion 180 drives the second gear 172, which drives the
oscillation gears 184. In this way, air may be expelled from the
fan blades 108 in a preferential direction by way of tilting the
fan blades 108 towards the preferential direction. Additionally, or
alternatively, in this way, the fan blades 108 may be caused to
repeatedly tilt in opposing directions and, thus, oscillate
respective to the fan hub 104 for improving circulation of air in
spaces adjacent to and/or surrounding the ceiling fan 100.
[0029] When power is supplied to the third motor 176, the third
motor 176 may rotate the motor pinion 180. Since the motor pinion
180 and the second gear 172 may be meshed, rotation of the motor
pinion 180 causes the second gear 172 to move (e.g., rotate at
least a small degree about the central axis C). Due to the second
gear 172 being meshed with the oscillation gears 184 of the fan
blades 108, as the outer ring 172 rotates, the oscillation gears
184 may also rotate, tilting the fan blades 108 relative to the
central hub 104 about respective longitudinal axes B. The third
motor 176 may rotate the fan blades 108 without moving the middle
section 140 of the central hub 104. Tilting of the fan blades 108
may include a continuous tilt (e.g., rotation) of the fan blades
108 about their longitudinal axes B as the ceiling fan 100
operates, a discrete movement to a desired tilt angle, and/or
oscillation of the fan blades 108 back-and-forth through an angle
of motion (e.g., +/-15 degrees respective to an axis B, +/-30
degrees respective to an axis B, +/-45 degrees respective to an
axis B, +/-90 degrees respective to an axis B, and/or the like). In
the illustrated embodiment, the second gear 172 and the third motor
176 may cause all of the fan blades 108 to tilt together,
simultaneously (e.g., in a simultaneous direction, at the same
time, and/or the like) in a coordinated manner. Additionally, or
alternatively, the drive assembly 154 may be configured to
independently tilt each of the fan blades 108. Similar to the
second motor 160, the speed of tilt of the fan blades 108 may be
based on the rpm of the third motor 176. The amount (i.e., degree)
of tilt of the fan blades 108 may be determined by the amount of
rotations of the third motor 176. The direction of tilt of the fan
blades 108 may be determined by the direction of rotation of the
second motor 176.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the rpm, the amount of completed
rotations, and/or the direction of rotation of the third motor 176
may be set by a user input (e.g., an app on a smartphone or
computer, a remote control, a pull cord, an actuator on the central
hub 104, and/or the like). In additional embodiments, the rpm, the
amount of completed rotations, and the direction of rotation of the
third motor 176 may be determined and set by a control scheme that
measures environmental parameters (e.g., room temperature, room
humidity, and/or the like).
[0031] In the depicted embodiment, rotating, tilting, and
oscillating of the fan blades 108 relative to the central hub 104
may be used to direct an airflow towards specific locations within
a room and generate additional airflow while maintaining the
amplification of airflow that is produced by the fan blades 108.
For example, rotation of the fan blades 108 relative to the central
hub 104 may circulate the airflow throughout the room. Whereas the
airflow produced by the fan blades 108 may be primarily directed in
a direction downward from each fan blade 108, as the fan blades 108
rotate, the airflow produced by each fan blade 108 may be
circulated and amplified. Tilting the fan blades 108 relative to
the central hub 104 may direct the airflow produced by each fan
blade 108. While in a neutral (e.g., horizontal) position, the fan
blades 108 of the depicted embodiment may direct the airflow
downward, whereas tilting the fan blades 108 may change the angle
in which the airflow is directed. By oscillating the fan blades
108, air may be expelled from the outlets 132 in a range of
directions, creating a greater airflow. Combining rotating and
tilting of the fan blades 108 may allow the airflow being output by
the fan blades 108 to be customized and/or controlled based on a
desired location for the airflow and/or the amount of circulation
of the airflow within the room. For example, tilting and rotating
the fan blades 108 may provide airflow to a larger circumferential
area than would solely rotating the fan blades 108.
[0032] In alternative embodiments, the fan blades 108 may be
operable to either tilt relative to the central hub 104 or to
rotate about the central axis C, but not both. In some embodiments,
the fan blades 108 may be stationary relative to the central hub
104, meaning the fan blades 108 may neither rotate about the
central axis C nor tilt relative to the central hub 104.
[0033] In some embodiments, the ceiling fan 100 may include a
single motor that both causes rotation of the fan blades 108 about
the central axis C and tilting/oscillating of the fan blades 108
about respective axes B of the fan blades 108. In further
embodiments, the ceiling fan 100 may include a single motor that
rotates the impeller 152, rotates the fan blades 108 about the
central axis C, and tilts/oscillates the fan blades 108 about their
respective axes B.
[0034] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of a ceiling
fan, generally designated 200. The ceiling fan 200 may be similar
in form and/or function to the ceiling fan 100 described above, and
only the differences between the ceiling fan 200 and the ceiling
fan 100 above are described in detail below.
[0035] The ceiling fan 200 may include a central hub 204, a light
208 positioned below the central hub 208, and a plurality of fan
blades 212 disposed around the central hub 204. Although not
illustrated, the ceiling fan 200 may include a mount on the top
side of the central hub 204 to mount the ceiling fan 200 to a
ceiling (or surface) of a room. Inside the central hub 204 may be a
motor (not shown) coupled to a power source to energize the motor
and an impeller (not shown) coupled to an output shaft of the motor
for rotation within the central hub 204. The central hub 204 may
further include an air inlet 216 connected to an interior chamber
surrounding the motor and impeller. In some embodiments, in
addition to powering the impeller of a fan that draws air into the
air inlet 216, the motor may be capable of rotating and/or tilting
the plurality of fan blades 212 respective to the central hub 204.
In other embodiments, the ceiling fan 200 may include additional
motors that rotate and/or tilt the fan blades 208 as described
herein.
[0036] With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the
plurality of fan blades 212 extends radially from the central hub
204 and may include an interior passageway (not shown) that may be
connected to the interior chamber of the central hub 204. Each of
the plurality of fan blades 212 may include multiple outlets 220.
One outlet 220 may be positioned on one side of the fan blade 212
and generally extend the length of the fan blade 212, and another
outlet 220 may be positioned on another (e.g., an opposite) side of
the fan blade 212 and generally extend the length of the fan blade
212. More than two outlets 220 may be provided per fan blade 212 in
some embodiments. In some embodiments the outlets 220 may be
disposed adjacent and/or proximate to an upper surface of the
corresponding fan blade 212. As air is expelled from the outlets
220, the air may be routed across or over and follow the outer
surface of the fan blades 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the
ceiling fan 200 may include five fan blades 212. In other
embodiments, the ceiling fan 200 may include fewer or more fan
blades 212, including an even quantity of fan blades 212 or an odd
quantity of fan blades 212.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the fan blades 212 may include
decorative covers 224. The covers 224 may be integrally formed with
the fan blades 212 or removably attached to the fan blades 212. The
covers 224 may include colors, designs, shapes, patterns, and the
like. In some embodiments, air may be expelled from the decorative
shapes or patterns by way of circulating air through the fan as
described herein. That is, in some embodiments, the outlets may be
provided as a decorative shape, pattern, or design.
[0038] During operation of the ceiling fan 200, the motor may
rotate the impeller to draw air from outside the ceiling fan 200
through the air inlet 216 and into the interior chamber of the
central hub 204. Once air is inside the interior chamber, the
impeller may force the air into the interior passageways of each of
the fan blades 212 and expel the air out through the air outlets
220 at a high velocity. Due to natural convection and the high
velocity at which the air is expelled from the outlets 220, an
amplifying airflow effect may be created in a space 228 defined
between consecutive fan blades 212. In addition, the motor may
rotate the fan blades 212 about the central hub 204 to vary the
position of the outlets 220.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a ceiling fan,
generally designated 300. The ceiling fan 300 may be similar in
form and/or function to the ceiling fan 200 described above, and
only the differences between the ceiling fan 300 and the ceiling
fan 200 above are described in detail below.
[0040] The ceiling fan 300 may include a central hub 304 and a
plurality of fan blades 312 positioned circumferentially around the
central hub 304. Each fan blade 312 may define a longitudinal axis
316. The illustrated longitudinal axes 316 may be centrally
positioned through each of the plurality of fan blades 312. The fan
blades 312 may be asymmetrical respective to the axes 316. The fan
blades 312 may be formed in an aerodynamic shape having curved
and/or sloped surfaces and/or edges. The fan blades 312 may be
oscillated respective to the longitudinal axes 316, as indicated by
arrows A. In some embodiments, stems of the fan blades 312 may
include gear teeth on an outside surface that extend
circumferentially about the stems (e.g., as described above in
regard to ceiling fan 100). Each fan blade 312 may include a motor
with a drive gear that connects to the gear teeth on the stem.
During operation of the ceiling fan 300, each motor may interact
with the gear teeth of the corresponding fan blade 312 to rotate
the fan blade. The motor for each fan blade 304 may drive the stems
120 to rotate relative to the central hub 304 to facilitate
oscillation. By oscillating the fan blades 312, air may be expelled
from outlets of the fan blades 312 in a range of directions,
creating a greater airflow. In other embodiments, the ceiling fan
300 may employ one motor to rotate and oscillate the fan blades
312, for example, by way of a gear ring.
[0041] Various features of the present subject matter are set forth
in the following claims.
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