Fan with collapsible blades, redundant fan system, and related method
AssigneeNidec Corporation
InventorJohn Hoover
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A redundant fan system for a computer includes two fans installed in series with at least one of the fans having collapsible blades. A fan system of this type reduces the fan inefficiency caused when one fan in a series mounted pair is not operating, either because it is free-wheeling or in a locked rotor condition. When non-operational, the fan blades of the collapsible fan fold inward due to airflow generated by the operational fan over the collapsible blades. The ability of the blades to fold reduces the inefficiency of the operational fan, having less of an effect on fan life. Also, because the flow of air is less restricted, proper airflow can be maintained, thus preventing overheating of the computer.
Claims35
A collapsible fan for use in a redundant fan system comprising a first fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades mounted on the rotor, the collapsible fan comprising:
- a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of collapsible fan blades pivotally mounted on the rotor, wherein the collapsible fan is mountable adjacent to one of the first and second apertures of the first fan, and the collapsible fan blades are collapsible onto the respective rotor in connection with an airflow generated by the first fan.
A collapsible fan for use in a redundant fan system, wherein the redundant fan system comprises the collapsible fan and a first fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades mounted on the rotor, the collapsible fan comprising:
- a fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades mounted on the rotor;
- and
- means for collapsing the fan blades toward the rotor in connection with an airflow generated by the first fan.
A collapsible fan for use in a redundant fan system comprising a first fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades mounted on the rotor, the collapsible fan comprising:
- a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of collapsible fan blades pivotally mounted on the rotor at an angle oblique to an axis of the rotor, wherein the collapsible fan is mountable adjacent to one of the first and second apertures of the first fan, and the collapsible fan blades are collapsible onto the respective rotor upon rotating the first fan rotor.
A collapsible fan for use in a redundant fan system comprising a first fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades mounted on the rotor, the collapsible fan comprising:
- a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, a plurality of collapsible fan blades pivotally mounted on the rotor, a plurality of pivot connectors that pivotally connect a plurality of collapsible blades to the rotor, and a plurality of pivot mounts angularly spaced relative to each other about the rotor, wherein each pivot connector includes a pivot pin received within the respective pivot mount for pivotally connecting a respective blade to the rotor, each pivot mount includes a recess, and each pivot pin is frictionally engaged within the respective recess to secure the respective blade to the blade mount, and wherein the collapsible fan is mountable adjacent to one of the first and second apertures of the first fan, and the collapsible fan blades are collapsible onto the respective rotor upon rotating the first fan.
A method of providing redundant airflow comprising the steps of:
- providing a first fan including a plurality of collapsible fan blades;
- providing a second fan adjacent to the first fan;
- and
- activating the second fan upon a failure of the first fan and collapsing the blades of the first fan in connection with an airflow generated by the second fan.
A collapsible fan for use in a redundant fan system comprising a first fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades mounted on the rotor, the collapsible fan comprising:
- a fan including a fan frame, a rotor rotatably mounted on the fan frame, a first aperture located on one side of the rotor, a second aperture located on an opposite side of the rotor relative to the first aperture, and a plurality of fan blades connected to the rotor at an angle oblique to an axis of the rotor;
- and
- means for collapsing the fan blades toward the rotor upon rotating the rotor of the first fan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.