Fan with automated balance control to minimize oscillation and related methods

A fan adapted to operate at a plurality of speeds selectable by a user during operation of the fan, comprising:

• a motor;
• a rotatable hub coupled to the motor;
• a plurality of fan blades coupled to the rotatable hub;
• a sensor configured to sense acceleration values associated with the fan at the plurality of fan speeds;
• and
• a controller configured to, in response to a desired fan speed selected by the user during operation of the fan, dynamically initiating an automated balance control routine executed during operation of the fan and in real time, the automated balance control routine comprising:
• determining a plurality of fan speeds within a range including the desired fan speed, at least one fan speed lower than the desired fan speed and at least one fan speed higher than the desired fan speed;
• commanding the motor to operate the fan at each of the plurality of fan speeds;
• controlling the sensor to obtain acceleration values associated with the fan at each of the plurality of fan speeds;
• comparing the acceleration values;
• and
• automatically selecting, as an operating speed for continued operation, one of the plurality of fan speeds having a minimum acceleration value, and operating the fan at the selected operating speed instead of the desired fan speed, wherein the controller is further configured to store the selected operating speed as a replacement for the desired fan speed and, upon a subsequent input of the desired fan speed by the user, automatically operate the fan at the stored replacement speed.