Various embodiments are directed to use of RF and WiFi control in a fan device to control fan status and speed and/or fan light on/off status and intensity. A customer premises includes a WiFi router through which WiFi communications can be sent from a WiFi capable device, e.g., a cell phone, to control the fan device and its various functions. While WiFi control is via a WiFi router in the home, the control signals normally do not traverse the Internet or another external network. In addition to WiFi control, control of the fan device can be via an RF control device, e.g., a wall mounted controller. In some embodiments, the fan device reports its state and/or changes in state due to received commands to a server, and the server generates a recommended normal control schedule and an away control schedule and then uses the schedules to control fan device.

A radial fan comprising: a plurality of blades rotatable about an axis of rotation and extending radially from the axis of rotation; characterised in that each of the blades has a transverse profile that is symmetrical about a radial line of symmetry extending through the blade, at least a portion of the profile of each blade being curved.

An electric fan with a self-cleaning mode to energise rotating fan blades in alternate forward and reverse directions to create a vibration in order to shake built-up dust or dirt particles from the blades in a frequency at which the rotational direction is alternated set to a known or detected resonant frequency of the blades thereby excite resonant modes and maximise the amplitude of vibrations. The self-cleaning operation may be triggered by detection of excessive/abnormal loading on the motor. The fan may be operated in a vibration detecting mode over a range of rotational speeds to locate speeds that produce resonance, or to detect a fault with the fan. Motor reversal frequencies corresponding to resonance-inducing speeds may be used in the self-cleaning mode. The vibration detecting mode may be carried out while the at least one blade is rotated in a direction opposite to its normal operational rotational direction.

A fan device used with respect to a computing device. The fan device includes at least two fans that provide airflow for the computing device and a controller that adjusts the fans' speeds in an attempt to avoid harmonic vibrations of the at least two fans. The fan device may include at least one sensor, and the controller may adjust the fans' speeds based at least on information from the sensor(s) in the attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations. The attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations may also attempt to mitigate one or more of turbulence, pressure, over-heating, power consumption, or noise in, by, or around the computing device. Reversal of airflow may also be used. A fan bar that enables isolation of ground return noise may also be used. The controller may use sums of primes calculations, phase analysis, common divisor calculations, and the like. Also, associated methods.

A bidirectional thrust assembly comprises a motor, a selective power transfer mechanism, and a plurality of fans; wherein a change in direction of rotation of the motor causes the selective power transfer mechanism to change a torque transfer among the plurality of fans, wherein the fans may be opposing, and wherein the fans may be unidirectional. The bidirectional thrust assembly may be used in or by a plurality of craft or with respect to other objects which may need to be maneuvered, included suspended load control systems, vertical takeoff and landing craft, watercraft.

An anti-rotation device configured to prevent a plurality of blades of the industrial fan from rotating. The anti-rotation device includes a movable member and a non-movable member, wherein the movable member is slidable relative to the blades between two positions, an unlocked position that substantially permits the plurality of blades to rotate and a locked position that substantially prevents the plurality of blades from rotating. The movable member is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the blades. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation device includes a substantially L-shaped lever having a long side and a short side, a pulley operatively connected to the L-shaped lever at a point where the long side and the short side meet, and a substantially flat plate attached to one end of the short side of the L-shaped lever.

A wind direction changing structure includes a main body having a fan casing with an accommodation space, a fan connecting seat disposed on a side of the fan casing, a first socket and a second socket formed on the fan connecting seat and electrically connected to a fan control circuit, and at least one fan module having a fan plug. The fan plug of the fan module is plugged into the corresponding first socket, and after the fan module has rotated 180 degrees, the fan plug is plugged into the corresponding second socket, and the fan module is maintained to be rotated in the same direction. Therefore, the air blowing direction of the fan module can be set flexibly and the fan module can be plugged and unplugged directly, and components can be shared to lower the cost.

An illumination fan includes a first frame, a second frame, a fan blade, a light guide and a light source. The first frame includes an accommodation space. The second frame is assembled with the first frame, and an inner surface of the second frame is substantially flat. The fan blade is rotatably disposed in the accommodation space. The light source is disposed on either the first frame or the second frame. The light guide is disposed on the first frame and surrounds the fan blade.

A ceiling fan for a space is provided. The ceiling fan can include a first communication interface configured to provide communications between the ceiling fan and a plurality of peripheral devices over a local network. The ceiling fan can further include a second communication interface configured to provide communications between the ceiling fan and an external network. The ceiling fan can further include one or more control devices configured to provide one or more control signals to control operation of one or more of the peripheral devices.

A blast fan includes: a tubular frame having a first opening and a second opening to pass airflow through between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening has a first reverse tapered portion expanding from inside to outside of the frame, and the first reverse tapered portion has a surface having first convex portions projecting to the inside of the frame.