Axial flow flapping fan
OwnerTung Thanh Nguyeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flapping fan for cooling electronic devices includes an elongated piezo actuator, two supporting members, two connecting members, and a thin blade. The supporting members are attached to the piezo actuator at its two ends, while the blade is connected to the piezo actuator through the connecting members. When activated by an AC signal, the piezo actuator oscillates around its neutral position, which causes the blade to oscillate. The blade rotates around its leading edge when its direction of motion changes, keeping its angle of incidence lower than ninety degrees. This helps the flapping fan to generate a significant axial air flow.
Claims18
A flapping fan, comprising:
- an elongated piezo actuator;
- two supporting members arranged substantially perpendicular to said piezo actuator, each said supporting member is attached to each end of said piezo actuator;
- a thin blade arranged parallel to said piezo actuator;
- and
- at least a connecting member mechanically connecting the leading edge of said blade to the central portion of said piezo actuator;
- whereby
- when activated by an AC signal said piezo actuator oscillates around its neutral position, driving said blade to oscillate, aerodynamic drag force and inertial force acting on said blade cause it to rotate around its leading edge when its direction of motion changes, and thus, generating a significant axial air flow in the same direction in both downstroke and upstroke of an oscillating cycle.
A flapping fan, comprising:
- a thin blade having substantially rectangular shape;
- at least a connecting member attached to a longer edge of said blade;
- and
- means to oscillate said connecting member;
- whereby
- when oscillated around its neutral position said connecting member drives said blade to oscillate, aerodynamic drag force and inertial force acting on said blade cause it to rotate around its leading edge when its direction of motion changes, and thus, generating a significant axial air flow in the same direction in both downstroke and upstroke of an oscillating cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.