US5192183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminar flow fans
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1991-08-28
•
Granted: 1993-03-09
•
Expires: 2011-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A laminar flow fan is described comprising a number of fan elements, such as disks, carried on support posts. In a preferred embodiment, each element has a non-circular central aperture. The shape of the aperture provides sufficient clearance for the elements to be placed over the support posts in a first position. Rotation of the elements into a second position with respect to the support posts latches the elements into engagement with the posts, thereby maintaining the elements in this second position.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip R. C. Wilkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:57
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D17/00; F04D17/08; F04D17/16; F04D17/161; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A laminar flow fan comprising: a plurality of fan elements, each having a central aperture therein; and a support member passing through the central aperture in each element, wherein relative rotation of the support member from a first position to a second position with respect to the fan elements fastens the support member to an aperture edge in each element, thereby maintaining the support member and elements in the second relative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A laminar flow fan comprising: a plurality of fan elements, each having a central aperture therein; and a support member passing through the central aperture in each element, wherein relative rotation of the support member from a first position to a second position with respect to the fan elements fastens the support member to an aperture edge in each element, thereby maintaining the support member and elements in the second relative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laminar flow fan of claim 1, wherein the support member includes locating slots therein, said locating slots used to locate and maintain the fan elements in a spaced apart relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aperture in at least one of the fan elements includes at least one notch with which the support member is latched into engagement when the support member and elements are in the second relative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support member has an elongate cross section, substantially aligned with the direction of fluid flow past the support member during operation of the fan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 3, in which the central aperture of each element is non-circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a common substructure, said support member fixed to said common substructure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 6, wherein a plurality of support members are attached to said common substructure, each of said support members passing through and fastening to the central aperture in each of the fan elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 7, wherein the central aperture in each fan element is non-circular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A laminar flow fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fan element is substantially annular in shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A laminar flow fan comprising: a substructure; a support member attached to said substructure, said support member having guide slots therein; and a fan element having a non-circular aperture therein, said support member passing through said aperture and said fan element engaging said support member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A laminar flow fan comprising: a substructure; a support member attached to said substructure, said support member having guide slots therein; and a fan element having a non-circular aperture therein, said support member passing through said aperture and said fan element engaging said support member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laminar flow fan of claim 10 wherein the fan element includes a portion which engages said guide slots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The laminar flow fan of claim 11 further including a plurality of support members attached to said substructure, each of said support members having guide slots therein, wherein each of said plurality of support members extends through the aperture in the fan element and wherein the fan element engages a corresponding guide slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The laminar flow fan of claim 12 wherein the aperture in the fan element is shaped so that the fan element will not engage the guide slots in a first position and will engage a corresponding guide slot in a second position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2087834A
Cited
DE599519C
Cited
US2632598A
Cited
US2626135A
Cited
US3007311A
Cited
FR1280348A
Cited
US3275223A
Cited
US3306588A
Cited
GB1461776A
Cited
US4255081A
Cited
GB2126653A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-08 | 1996-09-07 | 1997-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-08 | 2000-09-07 | 2001-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-08 | 2004-09-07 | 2005-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |