EP0259182A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air movement apparatus
Assignee: BROOKSIDE GROUP Inc
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Filing: 1987-09-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-09-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to cooling fans which are disclosed in the context of fan assisted heat exchanger systems such as for use in vehicles. Shrouding is provided to match the active area of a rectangular radiator with an area swept by a cooling fan and in the preferred embodiments utilises two small diameter side-by-side fans in order to effect a better match between the cross-sectional area of the radiator and the area swept by the fans. Preferably,the fans are rotated in a synchronised manner in counter-rotation and the means for providing this drive may comprise gearing connected with a prime mover or a pulley and drive belt system. In the latter case, the drive belt is preferably a toothed belt and may be provided with teeth on both sides to secure the desired counter-rotation of the two fans.
Inventors
- 👤 John Wooden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:37
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P3/00; F01P3/18; F01P5/00; F01P5/02; F01P5/04; F01P5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An air movement mechanism comprising a first axial flow fan, a second axial flow fan, a prime mover, means for coupling the first and second fans to the prime mover for rotation about their respective axes of rotation, a shroud having first and second generally circular cross-section openings, and means for mounting the first fan in the first generally circular cross-section opening and the second fan in the second generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the first and second fans about their respective axes by actuation of the prime mover causing the first and second fans to sweep respective first and second areas corresponding generally to the first and second generally circular cross-section openings, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An air movement mechanism comprising a first axial flow fan, a second axial flow fan, a prime mover, means for coupling the first and second fans to the prime mover for rotation about their respective axes of rotation, a shroud having first and second generally circular cross-section openings, and means for mounting the first fan in the first generally circular cross-section opening and the second fan in the second generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the first and second fans about their respective axes by actuation of the prime mover causing the first and second fans to sweep respective first and second areas corresponding generally to the first and second generally circular cross-section openings, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and second generally circular cross-section openings intersect, their combined form being somewhat figure-eight shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mechanism according to claim 2, characterised in that the prime mover comprises means for synchronising the rotation of the first and second fans about their respective axes of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism according to claim 3, characterised in that the prime mover comprises means for rotating the first and second fans in relatively opposite directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the shroud further comprises a generally rectangular cross-section opening and a transition region between the generally rectangular cross-section opening and the first and second generally circular cross-section openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mechanism according to claim 5, characterised in that the shroud is proportioned and designed for attachment adjacent a surface of a liquid-cooled heat engine coolant radiator, through which surface air moves to effect heat exchange, the shroud mountable against the surface with the generally rectangular cross-section opening facing the surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
An air movement mechanism comprising an axial flow fan, a prime mover, means for coupling the prime mover to the fan, a shroud having a generally circular cross-section opening, means for mounting the fan in the generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the fan by actuation of the prime mover causing the fan to sweep an area corresponding generally to the generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the fan by the prime mover deflecting air through the generally circular cross-section opening in a first direction around the axis of rotation of the fan, and one or more vanes oriented and configured to deflect air flowing through the generally circular cross-section opening in a second and opposite direction around the axis of rotation of the fan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
An air movement mechanism comprising an axial flow fan, a prime mover, means for coupling the prime mover to the fan, a shroud having a generally circular cross-section opening, means for mounting the fan in the generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the fan by actuation of the prime mover causing the fan to sweep an area corresponding generally to the generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the fan by the prime mover deflecting air through the generally circular cross-section opening in a first direction around the axis of rotation of the fan, and one or more vanes oriented and configured to deflect air flowing through the generally circular cross-section opening in a second and opposite direction around the axis of rotation of the fan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A mechanism according to claim 7 and further characterised by a second axial flow fan, means for coupling the prime mover to the second fan, the shroud having a second generally circular cross-section opening, means for mounting the second fan in the second generally circular cross-section opening, rotation of the second fan by the prime mover deflecting air through the second generally circular cross-section opening in a first direction around the axis of rotation of the second fan, and one or more vanes oriented and configured to deflect air flowing through the second generally circular cross-section opening in a second and opposite direction around the axis of rotation of the second fan.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mechanism of claim 8, characterised in that the first-mentioned and second generally circular cross-section openings intersect, their combined form being somewhat figure-eight shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mechanism according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterised by means for supporting the vanes in the shroud adjacent the or each generally circular cross-section opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A mechanism according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the shroud is constructed from resinous material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
A mechanism according to claim 11, characterised in that the vanes are constructed from resinous material and the means for supporting the vanes adjacent the or each generally circular cross-section opening comprises means for providing the vanes integrally with the shroud, the vanes extending internally of the shroud into the region adjacent the generally circular cross-section opening or openings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A mechanism according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterised in that the shroud further comprises a generally rectangular cross-section opening and a transition region between the generally rectangular cross-section opening and the generally circular cross-section opening, or openings, and the means for supporting the vanes in the shroud comprises means for supporting the vanes in the transition region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The mechanism of any one of claims 7 to 13, characterised in that the shroud is proportioned and designed for attachment adjacent a surface of a liquid-cooled heat engine coolant radiator, through which surface air moves to effect heat exchange, the shroud mountable against the surface with the generally rectangular cross-section opening facing the surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanism according to claim 8 or any preceding claim appendant thereto, characterised in that the means mounting the first and second fans mounts them so that they rotate generally in the same plane, means being provided for synchronising the rotation of the first and second fans.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mechanism according to claim 8, or any preceding claim appendant thereto, characterised in that the means mounting the first and second fans mounts them so that they rotate generally in different planes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mechanism according to claim 16, characterised in that means are provided for synchronising the rotation of the first and second fans.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mechanism according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the first and second fans are rotatable in relatively opposite directions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
A mechanism according to claim 15, 16, 17 or 18, characterised in that the means coupling the first fan to the prime mover comprises a first shaft and a first pulley rotatable with the first shaft and the second fan is driven by means that comprises a second shaft, a second pulley rotatable with the second shaft, an endless flexible belt engaging the first and second pulleys to synchronise the rotation of the first and second fans.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mechanism according to claim 19, characterised in that the first and second pulleys comprise radially extending teeth and the endless flexible belt comprises teeth, the teeth on the belt engaging the teeth on the first and second pulleys.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A mechanism according to claim 20, characterised in that the endless flexible belt comprises two oppositely facing sides, each side of the endless flexible belt comprising teeth, the teeth on one side of the belt engaging the teeth on the first pulley and the teeth on the other side of the belt engaging the teeth on the second pulley.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
A mechanism according to claim 21, characterised in that the endless flexible belt contacts the first and second pulleys on two relatively oppositely facing regions of the first and second pulleys to effect counterrotation of the first and second pulleys in response to endless belt movement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mechanism according to claim 20, characterised in that the endless flexible belt is twisted to cause rotation of the first and second pulleys in relatively opposite directions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mechanism according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterised in that the prime mover has an output shaft which comprises one of said first and second shafts.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
A mechanism according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterised by a first gear, means for coupling the first fan to the first gear, a second gear, and means for coupling the second fan to the second gear, the means for synchronising the rotation of the first and second fans comprising means for engaging the first and second gears and means for coupling the first gear-engaging means to the second gear-engaging means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
A mechanism according to claim 25, characterised in that the means for engaging the first gear comprises a third gear, the means for engaging the second gear comprises a fourth gear, and the means for coupling the first gear-engaging means to the second gear-engaging means comprises a shaft joining the first gear and the fourth gear.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mechanism according to claim 26, characterised in that the first and second gears are coupled to the output shaft of the prime mover.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism according to claim 27, characterised in that the output shaft comprises first and second worms engaging the first and second gears.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanism according to claim 28, characterised in that the first and second worms contact the first and second gears, respectively, on relatively oppositely facing surfaces of the first and second gears to effect counter-rotation of the first and second gears in response to output shaft movement.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
152 words
An air movement mechanism for moving air through a heat exchanger, the mechanism comprising a first axial flow fan, a second axial flow fan, means for mounting the first fan so that rotation of the first fan causes it to sweep a first generally circular area, means for mounting the second fan so that rotation of the second fan causes it to sweep a second generally circular area, first means for rotating the first fan, means for coupling the first fan to the first rotating means, second means for rotating the second fan, and means for coupling the second fan to the second rotating means, the heat exchanger including an active surface through which air moves to effect heat exchange, and the means for mounting the first and second fans mounting them so that they sweep first and second generally circular areas of the active surface, the first and second areas overlapping.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
152 words
An air movement mechanism for moving air through a heat exchanger, the mechanism comprising a first axial flow fan, a second axial flow fan, means for mounting the first fan so that rotation of the first fan causes it to sweep a first generally circular area, means for mounting the second fan so that rotation of the second fan causes it to sweep a second generally circular area, first means for rotating the first fan, means for coupling the first fan to the first rotating means, second means for rotating the second fan, and means for coupling the second fan to the second rotating means, the heat exchanger including an active surface through which air moves to effect heat exchange, and the means for mounting the first and second fans mounting them so that they sweep first and second generally circular areas of the active surface, the first and second areas overlapping.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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