US6481233B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-performance molded fan
Assignee: PORT-A-COOL LLC
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Filing: 2002-03-12
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Granted: 2002-11-19
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Expires: 2022-03-12
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment, the present invention provides a high performance molded, substantially non-metallic fan capable of producing at least about 20 cubic feet per minute (“CFM”) per input watt at a static pressure of about 0.00 inches of water. In one embodiment, the fan combines a substantially non-metallic housing, an airfoil cross-sectional fan blade, and a non-metallic hub. The fan blades may be detachable from the hub and rotationally indexable to a variety of pitch angles. Further, the hub and fan blades may include alignment indicia, so that the fan blades can be adjusted to a commensurate pitch relative of other fan blades around the hub.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip D. Calvert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:39
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D25/00; F04D25/02; F04D25/08; F04D29/00; F04D29/02; F04D29/023; F04D29/26; F04D29/32; F04D29/34; F04D29/36; F28; F28D; F28D5/00; F05; F05D; F05D2300/00; F05D2300/40; F05D2300/43; F05D2300/60; F05D2300/603
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A cooler, comprising: a) a cooler housing having an exterior, an interior, and front and rear openings; b) at least one evaporative cooling pad coupled to the housing; c) a molded hub having a plurality of fan blade receivers; and d) a plurality of molded fan blades removably attachable to the fan blade receivers, the fan blades each having a blade portion attachable to the fan blade receivers on the hub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cooler, comprising: a) a cooler housing having an exterior, an interior, and front and rear openings; b) at least one evaporative cooling pad coupled to the housing; c) a molded hub having a plurality of fan blade receivers; and d) a plurality of molded fan blades removably attachable to the fan blade receivers, the fan blades each having a blade portion attachable to the fan blade receivers on the hub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cooler of claim 1 , further comprising a first alignment indicia disposed on the fan blade receivers and a second alignment indicia disposed on the fan blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the fan blades comprise an airfoil cross section having a high pressure portion on one side and a low pressure portion of an opposite side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the fan blades further comprise a longitudinal twist from the blade portion toward a tip end of the fan blades.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the cooler produces an airflow of at least about 15 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per watt at a static pressure of about 0.15 inches of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cooler of claim 1 , further comprising a venturi wherein the fan blades are adapted to at least partially rotate within a cross sectional volume formed by the venturi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fan of claim 1 , wherein the hub and fan blades are molded by a resin transfer molding (RTM) method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fan of claim 7 , wherein the molded hub comprises fiber reinforced polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fan of claim 7 , wherein the fan blades comprise fiber reinforced polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fan of claim 1 , further comprising one or more drive surfaces integrally formed on the molded hub.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fan of claim 2 , wherein the fan blades are rotationally indexable relative to the hub using the alignment indicia.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cooler, comprising: a) an evaporative cooler housing having an exterior, an interior, and front and rear openings; b) a molded hub having a plurality of fan blade receivers; and c) a plurality of molded fan blades removably attachable to the fan blade receivers, the fan blades each having a blade portion attachable to the fan blade receivers on the hub.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cooler, comprising: a) an evaporative cooler housing having an exterior, an interior, and front and rear openings; b) a molded hub having a plurality of fan blade receivers; and c) a plurality of molded fan blades removably attachable to the fan blade receivers, the fan blades each having a blade portion attachable to the fan blade receivers on the hub.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cooler of claim 12 , further comprising a first alignment indicia disposed on the fan blade receivers and a second alignment indicia disposed on the fan blades.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooler of claim 12 , wherein the fan blades comprise an airfoil cross section having a high pressure portion on one side and a low pressure portion of an opposite side.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cooler of claim 12 , wherein the fan blades further comprise a longitudinal twist from the blade portion toward a tip end of the fan blades.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cooler of claim 12 , wherein the cooler produces an airflow of at least about 15 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per watt at a static pressure of about 0.15 inches of water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cooler of claim 12 , further comprising a venturi wherein the fan blades are adapted to at least partially rotate within a cross sectional volume formed by the venturi.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fan of claim 12 , wherein the hub and fan blades are molded by a resin transfer molding (RTM) method.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |