Methods and apparatus for multi-directional fan
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorJeffery R. Ihde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an engine driven power supply that includes a housing having a first area that includes an engine and a second area that includes a temperature sensitive component. A fan is configured to force air in multiple directions through the housing. A temperature sensor to measure a temperature. And a controller controls the fan to force air in a first direction into the first area when the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature value, and controls the fan to force air in a second direction into the second area when the temperature is below the first threshold temperature value.
Claims17
A welding-type power supply, comprising:
- a housing comprising a fan configured to force air in multiple directions and a duct configured to channel airflow to or from the fan;
- a temperature sensor to measure a temperature;
- a controller configured to:
- control the fan to force air in a first direction when the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature value;
- and
- control the fan to force air in a second direction when the temperature is below the first threshold temperature value;
- and
- a mechanical device configured to adjust an angle of the fan with respect to the housing to change an angle of at least one of the first direction or the second direction, the controller configured to control the mechanical device based on the temperature sensor.
A welding-type power supply, comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a fan configured to force air in multiple directions;
- and
- a duct configured to channel airflow to or from the fan, wherein the duct is configured to change position to channel airflow in a plurality of directions, wherein the controller is configured to command the duct to adjust position based on the measured temperature;
- an electrical component located within the housing, the duct configured to force air toward or away from the electrical component in response to the temperature or another welding-type power supply parameter;
- a temperature sensor to measure a temperature;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- control the fan to force air in a first direction when the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature value;
- and
- control the fan to force air in a second direction when the temperature is below the first threshold temperature value.
An engine driven power supply, comprising:
- a housing having a first area that includes an engine and a second area that includes a temperature sensitive component, the housing comprising a duct configured to channel air heated by the engine from the first area to the second area to heat the temperature sensitive component when the fan is forcing air in the second direction;
- a fan configured to force air in multiple directions through the housing;
- a temperature sensor to measure a temperature;
- a controller configured to:
- control the fan to force air in a first direction into the first area when the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature value;
- and
- control the fan to force air in a second direction into the second area when the temperature is below the first threshold temperature value;
- and
- a mechanical device associated with the fan and configured to adjust an angle of the fan with respect to the housing to change an angle of at least one of the first direction or the second direction of the forced air by changing a position of the mechanical device, the controller configured to control the mechanical device to change the at least one of the first direction or the second direction of the forced air based on the temperature sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.