U.S. patent application number 17/653793 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-08 for system and kit for attachment to a support structure of a control panel for a high-volume low speed fan.
The applicant listed for this patent is MACROAIR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Geoffrey Herkner, Phillip Santolucito.
Application Number | 20220282736 17/653793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006239613 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220282736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herkner; Geoffrey ; et
al. |
September 8, 2022 |
SYSTEM AND KIT FOR ATTACHMENT TO A SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF A CONTROL
PANEL FOR A HIGH-VOLUME LOW SPEED FAN
Abstract
A system and kit for securing a high-volume low speed (HVLS) fan
that secures the control panel to a structural support member and
is in turn attached to a mount member. An extension tube extends
between and is secured to the mount member and a fan motor shaft.
The placement of the control panel near the HVLS system reduces the
potential for inadvertent access to the control panel when placed
closer to ground level. Inadvertent access can yield to
electrocutions and create a fire hazard. Additionally, the
aesthetics are greatly improved when the control panel is in
alignment with the HVLS supporting structural members.
Inventors: |
Herkner; Geoffrey;
(Murrieta, CA) ; Santolucito; Phillip; (Menifee,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MACROAIR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
San Bernardino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006239613 |
Appl. No.: |
17/653793 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63157965 |
Mar 8, 2021 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088 20130101;
F04D 29/601 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/60 20060101
F04D029/60; F04D 25/08 20060101 F04D025/08 |
Claims
1. A system for mounting a high-volume low speed fan, the system
comprising: a structural support member: a control panel comprising
a housing with an upper plate and at least one lower surface, the
control panel secured to the structural support member; a mount
member with a base member, the mount member secured to and disposed
beneath the lower surface of the housing; and an extension tube
with a first end and a second end, the first end of the extension
tube disposed beneath the base member of the mount member and the
second end disposed proximate a housing for the drive motor of the
high-volume low speed fan.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural support member is
at least one of a Glulam beam, a purlin, an I-beam, a steel truss
or a Unistrut.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control panel housing is
secured to each flange of the I-beam with an I-beam clamp and at
least two threaded fasteners.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein each I-beam clamp comprises a
flat plate member with first and second longitudinally disposed
edges, the second edge extending downwardly away from the flat
plate.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing is secured to the
Glulam beam with opposing L-shaped brackets, a single L-shaped
bracket disposed on each side of the Glulam beam.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the L-shaped bracket comprises a
long plate and a short plate disposed at approximately 90 degrees
to the long plate.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein each short plate is outwardly
extending from the Glulam beam and the short plate is secured to
the upper plate of the control panel by threaded fasteners passing
through aligned openings in both the upper plate of the housing and
the short plate of the L-shaped bracket.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein the upper plate of the control
panel housing is secured with fasteners to two Unistrut support
elements.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of a variable
frequency drive or a motor controller is disposed within the
housing of the control panel.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is C-shaped and
comprises two inwardly extending flanges disposed beneath the upper
plate, the two inwardly extending flanges operable to support an
enclosure for the variable frequency drive.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a front
plate with a through hole for access by at least one of a cable
gland of a power cable or a communication cable.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a back
plate with a through hole for insertion of a communication
cable.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control panel complies with
Underwriters Laboratories certification standard 508A.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein a separation mount is disposed
between the structural support member and the upper plate of the
control panel.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein electrical wiring is disposed
within the tube extending between the control panel and a drive
motor of the high-volume low speed fan.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount member is at least one
of a universal mount or a rapid mount.
17. A kit for mounting a high-volume low speed fan to a structural
member, the kit comprising: a control panel comprising a housing
with an upper plate and a lower surface, the control panel secured
to the structural member; a mount member with a base member, the
universal mount secured to and disposed beneath the lower surface
of the control panel housing; an extension tube with a first end
and a second end; and a motor housing for a high-volume low speed
fan, wherein the first end of the drop extension tube is disposed
proximate the base member of the mount member and the second end is
disposed proximate the motor housing of the high-volume low speed
fan.
18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the upper plate comprises two
longitudinally opposed edges that overhang the housing.
19. The kits of claim 17, wherein the lower surface of the housing
comprises a plurality of inwardly extending flanges.
20. The kit of claim 19, wherein an enclosure is disposed within
the housing and is supported by the inwardly extending flanges.
21. The kit of claim 20, wherein the enclosure encloses at least
one of a variable frequency drive or a motor controller.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Application No.
63/157,965 filed on Mar. 8, 2021.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure is directed to the placement of a control
panel for a high-volume low speed (HVLS) fan adjacent a structural
member supporting the fan. The system and kit disclosed herein
direct placement of a HVLS fan control panel compliant with the
Underwriters Laboratories 508A standard.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Because of their size large HVLS fans are mounted to
building structural members such as an I-beam, Glulam beam,
Unistrut, steel truss or a purlin. Disclosed herein is a system and
kit to address the electrical power and control wiring needs of an
HVLS fan by integrating an electrical enclosure into the mount
assembly that is certified to meet the standard for the
construction of industrial control panels [UL 508A].
[0004] The scope of UL 508A includes all control panels including
enclosed control panels and control panels with environmental
control devices. UL 508A encompasses a broad range of requirements
for industrial control panels, primarily the electrical
requirements around those control panels to include how they are
operated and installed. UL 508A is critically important for the
design of industrial equipment, industrial machinery, processing
equipment and similar equipment such as high-volume low speed
(HVLS) fans. The industrial equipment and control panels are by law
covered under the requirements of the National Electric Code (NEC
NFPA 70) and must be suitable for use. UL 508A is the standard for
suitability for use of industrial control panels.
[0005] HVLS fan control panels have traditionally been positioned
at a location not proximate to the fan and often in undesirable
locations to allow ready access to and wiring of the panels during
installation. This installation methodology creates unsightly
placement of control panel boxes within the occupied space and can
even lead to an unsafe setting should an unauthorized individual
gain access to the electrical power and control wiring that extends
to the control panel from the power source and the operator's
control module.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with preferred embodiments of the device
disclosed herein, some of the aesthetic and functional challenges
associated with the routing of electrical wiring of HVLS fans are
overcome.
[0007] The apparatus disclosed herein integrates an industrial
electrical enclosure compliant with UL 508A with the HVLS fan
mounting system. This design allows the HVLS fan to be fastened to
the mount apparatus and the mount apparatus secured to the
electrical enclosure. A plate secured to the top of the control
panel may then be secured to the building structural element.
[0008] These, together with other aspects of the device disclosed
herein, along with the various features of novelty that
characterize the technology, are pointed out with particularity in
the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this disclosed
technology. For a better understanding of the disclosed technology,
its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its
uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosed HVLS fan with
structural support member mounted control panel system and kit are
described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing
figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an
HVLS fan with a control panel disposed between a mount member and a
structural support member;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an
assembled control panel;
[0012] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded assembly view of an
embodiment of a control panel;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of a
universal mount;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of a
rapid industrial mount;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the underside of a control panel as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of a
control panel secured to structural support member with a mount
member secured beneath the control panel;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of a
control panel secured to a sloped structural support member with a
fully assembled HVLS fan beneath the control panel;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an
extension tube;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an
HVLS fan motor and upwardly extending mount tube;
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
an HVLS fan system mounted to a I-beam;
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
an HVLS fan system mounted to a Glulam beam;
[0022] FIG. 11A illustrates a front elevation view of an embodiment
of a control panel mounted to a Glulam beam;
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
an HVLS fan system mounted to a Unitstrut; and
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
rapid industrial mount disposed beneath a control panel that in
turn is disposed beneath a separation mount that is secured to a
structural support member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Illustrated at FIG. 1 is a system 10 for mounting a
high-volume low speed (HVLS) fan 12 with an associated control
panel 14 mounted directly above the fan motor 16 to a structural
support member 20. Unlike other HVLS fans that require the control
panel enclosure be secured to a fixed wall near the fan, the system
as disclosed herein requires the control panel 14 be mounted above
the fan and secured to the structural support member 20 or members
and the fan suspended from and secured to the control panel 14.
[0026] The general configuration of the system 10 as disclosed
herein includes the support member 20 providing structural support
to the building or open-air space in which the HVLS fan is located.
The HVLS control panel 14 is mounted to the structural support
member 20 which may be of any number of configurations and
fabricated from different materials. Some of the various types of
structural support members contemplated by this disclosure will be
discussed in greater detail below.
[0027] As illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 2A, the control panel 14 is
central to the system 10 as disclosed herein. The control panel 14
includes a housing 22 with an upper plate 24 and at least one lower
surface 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, when in an installed
configuration, residing beneath the housing 22 of the control panel
14 is a mount member 30. The mount member 30 may optionally include
a universal mount 32 as shown in FIG. 3 or a rapid industrial mount
34 as shown in FIG. 4. Both mount configurations 32, 34 include an
upper attachment plate 38, 40 with slots or through holes 42
therein. As illustrated at FIG. 5, threaded fasteners 44 are
utilized to secure the upper attachment plate 38, 40 to attachment
flanges 46 at the lower surface 26 of the control panel 14.
[0028] As illustrated at FIG. 3, the universal mount 32 consists of
a pair of hinges 50, 52 located close together, oriented at
90.degree. to each other and connected by cross shafts 54, 56. The
universal mount 32 allows articulation of the connection between
the control panel 14 and the fan motor 16. If, for example, the
HVLS fan 12 is mounted to a support member 20 that is sloped, see
FIG. 7, the control panel 14 must be mounted to the structural
support member 20 at the angle of slope. To facilitate this angle
of inclination/declination the universal mount 32 is designed to
accommodate the angular orientation of the control panel 14. The
universal mount 32 will pivot to allow the blades 60 of the HVLS
fan 12 to remain fully horizontal. Electrical power as well as
digital or analog communication wiring is passed through the
control panel 14 and routed through the universal mount 32. No
matter the angle of inclination/declination, within prescribed safe
limits, the universal mount 32 can accommodate the orientation and
allow the fan blades 60 to remain horizontal. The rapid industrial
mount 34; however, is specifically configured to rigidly connect
the attachment plate 46 of the lower surface 26 of the control
panel 14 to the upper surface 64 of the rapid industrial mount 34.
The rapid industrial mount 34 does not accommodate a sloped
structural support member 20. The attachment preferably occurs with
threaded fasteners passing through openings in both the upper
attachment plate 40 of the rapid industrial mount 34 and the
attachment plate 46 of the lower surface 26 of the control panel
14.
[0029] As illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 4, disposed beneath the mount
member 30 is a mount tube 68. The mount tube 68 is a thin-walled
tube that extends no more than a few inches downward from a base
plate 66 of the mount member 30. This mount tube 68 typically has
two sets of diametrically opposed through holes 70 that are used to
secure the first end 72 of a slightly larger inner diameter
extension tube 74 to the mount tube 68 by passing shear pins into
the through holes 78 of the extension tube 74, as illustrated at
FIG. 8, and then through the two sets of aligned through holes 70
in the mount tube 68. The shear pins prevent retraction of the
first end 72 of the extension tube 74 from the mount tube 68.
[0030] At the second end 88 of the extension tube 74 are another
two sets of diametrically opposed through holes 90 that connect the
extension tube 74 to the fan motor shaft 94. As with the first end
69 of the extension tube 70, shear pins secure the extension tube
70 to the fan motor shaft 94 by passing through the two sets of
diametrically opposed through holes 90 of the extension tube 74 and
through the through holes 95 of the motor shaft 94. The shear pins
96 prevent retraction of the fan motor shaft 94 from the extension
tube 70 due to the weight of the HVLS fan 12.
[0031] The structural support member 20 may include any of a Glulam
beam, a purlin, an I-beam, a steel truss or a Unistrut all of which
can support the system 10 to include the control panel 14. The
attachment of the control panel 14 to an I-beam 100 is illustrated
at FIG. 10. The I-beam 100 has two opposed lower flanges 102, 104
that serve to support the control panel 14. As illustrated at FIG.
6, two I-beam clamps 106, 108 along with threaded fasteners 110 are
used to secure the upper plate 24 of the control panel housing 22
to the opposed flanges 102, 104. The clamps 106, 108 utilize a flat
plate member 112 and a downwardly extending flange 114 on each side
of the I-beam 100. Just prior to the downwardly extending flange
114 is at least one through hole 116. Threaded fasteners 110 are
passed through the holes 116 in the flat plate member 112 and
through holes 120 in overhanging segments 122, 124 of the upper
plate 24 of the control panel housing 22. These fasteners 110 are
used to capture and apply pressure to the I-beam flanges 102, 104.
Once fully tightened the fasteners 110 in combination with the
I-beam clamps 106, 108 and the overhanging segments 122, 124
rigidly secure the control panel in position against the I-beam
flanges 102, 104.
[0032] FIGS. 11 and 11A illustrate the attachment of the control
device to a Glulam beam 128. In this attachment embodiment,
L-shaped brackets 130, 132 are secured to each side 134, 136 of the
beam 128. The brackets 130, 132 have a longer segment 140, 142 that
is vertically oriented against the beam 128 and shorter segments
144, 146 that extend outwardly at about 90 degrees from the Glulam
beam 128 when installed. The longer segments 140, 142 have through
holes 150 for passing threaded fasteners 152 through to the
opposite side of the beam 128. The shorter segments 144, 146 also
include through holes 156 for passing fasteners 158 into the
through holes 120 fabricated into the overhanging segments 122, 124
of the upper plate 24 of the control panel housing 22.
[0033] In yet another embodiment, the control panel 14 is attached
to a Unistrut 160 as illustrated at FIG. 12. The Unistrut 160
consists of two parallel members 162, 164 that span between trusses
168, 170. The overhanging segments 122, 124 of the upper plate 24
of the control panel housing 22 are mounted to the parallel
Unistrut members 162, 164 by threaded fasteners and appropriate
mounting hardware (not shown).
[0034] As illustrated at FIG. 2A, the control panel housing 22 is
preferably C-shaped and comprises two inwardly extending opposed
flanges 178, 180 disposed beneath the upper plate 24. The two
inwardly extending flanges 178, 180 are operable to support an
enclosure 182 for either a variable frequency drive 184, or
alternatively, a motor controller. The two inwardly extending
flanges 178, 180 serve to support the enclosure 182 and either the
enclosed variable frequency drive 184 or motor controller. The
housing 14 is extremely robust with wall thickness at preferably no
less than 3 GA sheet steel (0.252 inches).
[0035] For a control panel 14 to be capable of, for example,
supporting the weight of a 24-foot diameter HVLS fan driven by a 2
HP motor and weighing in at over 435 pounds the housing 14, upper
plate 24 and inwardly extending flanges 178, 180 must be capable of
resisting considerable loads. The housing 14 assembly further
includes a front plate 190 with a through hole 192 for access by at
least one of a cable gland of a power cable or a communication
cable 194. The housing 14 assembly also includes a back plate 196
with a through hole 198 for insertion of a communication cable. The
control panel 14 as disclosed herein complies with Underwriters
Laboratories certification standard 508A Standard for Industrial
Panels and the entire HVLS fan system 10 is compliant with UL 507
Standard for Electric Fans.
[0036] There may be installation scenarios where the system 10
requires the installation of a separation mount 200 as illustrated
at FIG. 13. The separation mount 200 is disposed between the
structural support member 20 and the upper plate 24 of the control
panel 14. The separation mount is employed in certain countries to
comply with safety standards. Whether a separation mount 200 is
employed or not, the system 10 as disclosed herein routes
electrical and control wiring along the support member 20 and into
the control panel 14. The control wiring leads to an operator's
panel (not shown) that allows the building occupant to set the
speed and direction of rotation.
[0037] The variable frequency drive or motor controller then sends
electrical power and commands to the HVLS fan motor 16 via wiring
202 that extends downward from the controller through an opening
204 in the enclosure 182. The wiring 202 may extend through a
separation mount 200 if one is installed or may extend directly
through a universal mount 32 or rigid industrial mount 34. Upon
reaching the terminus end of either the universal mount 32 or rigid
industrial mount 34, the wiring 202 extends beyond the base plate
of the mount member 30 and into the mount tube 68. Upon entering
the mount tube 68 the wiring 202 continues to transit into the
extension tube 74 before finally entering the fan motor shaft 94.
The
[0038] The kit as disclosed herein comprises the HVLS fan motor 16,
blades 60, extension tube 74, mount member 30 and control panel 14
that is specifically configured for attachment to a structural
support member 20. The control panel 14 as previously detailed
comprises a housing 22 that is preferably fabricated from at least
3 GA thickness steel plate, is C-shaped with an upper plate 24 with
through holes 206 for attachment to the structural support member
20. The lower surface 26 of the control panel housing 22 includes
two inwardly extending flanges 178, 180 each with preferably at
least two through holes located in each of the inwardly extending
flanges for insertion of fasteners that are also fastened to a
mount member 30 that supports the HVLS fan 12 beneath the control
panel 14. The control panel 14 of the kit includes either a
variable frequency drive (VFD) or a motor controller 184 enclosed
within an enclosure 182 thereby further protecting the sensitive
electronics of the VFD or motor controller from outside impacts
during shipping and installation.
[0039] The disclosed system and kit should not be construed as
limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed
toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various
disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and
sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed apparatus and
systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or
combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that
any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be
solved.
[0040] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the
principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be
recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples of
the disclosure and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the
invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the
following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that
comes within the scope of these claims.
[0041] The disclosure presented herein is believed to encompass at
least one distinct invention with independent utility. While the at
least one invention has been disclosed in exemplary forms, the
specific embodiments thereof as described and illustrated herein
are not to be considered in a limiting sense, as numerous
variations are possible. Equivalent changes, modifications, and
variations of the variety of embodiments, materials, compositions,
and methods may be made within the scope of the present disclosure,
achieving substantially similar results. The subject matter of the
at least one invention includes all novel and non-obvious
combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements,
features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein and their
equivalents.
[0042] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein regarding specific embodiments. However, the
benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or
combination of elements that may cause any benefits, advantage, or
solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
considered as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of any or all the claims of at least one invention.
[0043] Many changes and modifications within the scope of the
instant disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof, and the one or more inventions described herein include
all such modifications. Corresponding structures, materials, acts,
and equivalents of all elements in the claims are intended to
include any structure, material, or acts for performing the
functions in combination with other claim elements as specifically
recited. The scope of the one or more inventions should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents,
rather than by the examples set forth herein.
[0044] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein regarding specific embodiments. Furthermore,
the connecting lines, if any, shown in the various figures
contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional
relationships and/or physical couplings between the various
elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional
functional relationships or physical connections may be present in
a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage,
or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of the inventions.
[0045] The scope of the inventions is accordingly to be limited by
nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an
element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one"
unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." Moreover,
where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used in
the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean
that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be
present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment,
or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present
in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or
A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the
figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the
same or different materials.
[0046] In the detailed description herein, references to "one
embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc.,
indicate that the embodiment described may include a feature,
structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not
necessarily include the feature, structure, or characteristic.
Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic
is described relating to an embodiment, it is submitted that it is
within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic relating to other embodiments
whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description,
it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to
implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.
[0047] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the
present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f) unless
the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As
used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other
variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion,
such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements does not include only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, method, article, or apparatus.
* * * * *