Centrifugal fan
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsTyler J. Stanley, Blaine S. Talbot, Matthew L. Lemmons, Thomas Howard Mertz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A centrifugal fan is formed from an impeller installed within a casing. The impeller is formed from two plates that are interconnected by a plurality of blades. A duct extends through each blade. At each of its ends, the duct opens at one of the plates. Air enters the fan from through a central opening formed in one of the plates, moves to a medial zone between the plates, and exits the fan at the medial zone's unwalled periphery. Air also crosses the fan by way of the ducts formed within each blade.
Claims20
A work machine situated in an ambient environment, comprising:
- an engine compartment comprising:
- a centrifugal fan comprising an impeller installed within a casing, the casing interposed between an engine and a radiator, and the casing having opposed first and second side vents;
- an exhaust pipe having an exhaust opening;
- and
- a cover having opposed first and second side openings;
- in which the engine, the radiator, the centrifugal fan, and the exhaust pipe are all positioned beneath the cover;
- in which the exhaust opening and the first side vent are exposed to the ambient environment via the first opening formed in the cover, and the second side vent is exposed to the ambient environment via the second side opening formed in the cover.
A method, comprising:
- moving a work machine comprising an engine compartment along a forward path of travel;
- in which the engine compartment is at least partially enclosed by a cover;
- rotating a centrifugal fan interposed between an engine and a radiator within the engine compartment;
- in which the centrifugal fan, the engine, and the radiator are all situated beneath the cover;
- expelling a first fluid from at least one side opening formed in the cover, the first fluid comprising fluid situated around an exterior of the engine or around an exterior of the radiator;
- and
- expelling a second fluid from the at least one side opening formed in the cover, the second fluid comprising exhaust fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.