Method of manufacturing axial fans of different sizes

A method for manufacturing an axial-flow fan having a size selected from a series of a limited number of standard sizes, said fan having a given number of blades which are adjustable as to pitch, the method comprising the steps of supplying a single hub structure having a dog member mounted thereon for axial displacement relative thereto, and means for mounting blades at a given number of connection points around the periphery of the hub;

• supplying a like number of identical blades adapted to be mounted at said connection points for rotation about a radial axis;
• supplying means for connecting each of said blades to said dog member to effect rotation of said blades on their axes upon axial displacement of said dog member on the hub axis, providing a limited number of different standard size axles, grouping said axles in one set of axles for each one of said limited number of standard sizes, each set including a number of equal length axles corresponding to said given number of blades, and manufacturing said fan in said selected size by selecting the set of axles corresponding to the desired size and using said set of axles to mount the blades on said hub, by mounting the inner end of each of said axles at one of said connection points and rotatably mounting a blade on the outer end of each of said axles with a single axial-thrust rolling bearing, and positioning said bearing to receive the outward thrust caused by the rotation of the hub structure and centering the bearing by means of a chamfered support ring.