Systems And Methods For Increasing The Efficiency Of Low Pressure Axial Fans

Abstract

A system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, includes, a low pressure axial fan including multiple first blades, and, a vortex generator operably coupled to the low pressure axial fan via a shaft. In use, the vortex generator includes multiple second blades. In further use, the low pressure axial fan is configured to operate in an operational mode and the vortex generator is configured to operate in a stationary mode.

Claims

1. A system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, said system comprising: a low pressure axial fan comprising a plurality of first blades; a vortex generator operably mounted proximal to said low pressure axial fan, said vortex generator comprising a plurality of second blades; and, a shaft operably connected to said low pressure axial fan to provide rotational energy from at least one external source of energy, wherein said low pressure axial fan is configured to operate in an operational mode and said vortex generator is configured to operate in a stationary mode.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said low pressure axial fan and said vortex generator are mounted parallel to each other.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is a rotational shaft.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said low pressure axial fan and said vortex generator are mounted parallel to each other with a specific distance between them in a manner such that said vortex generator generates a vortex similar to said low pressure axial fan, thereby enabling said low pressure axial fan to draw in/expel more air for a same amount of energy supplied.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said low pressure axial fan and said vortex generator are mounted parallel to each other with said specific distance between them for converting ambient air into the output airflow of said system.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein efficiency of said low pressure axial fan increases with a decrease in distance between said low pressure axial fan and said vortex generator.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein number of said plurality of first blades of said low pressure axial fan is equal to number of said plurality of second blades of said vortex generator.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vortex generator is mounted parallel to said low pressure axial fan on a front side of said low pressure axial fan.

9. A method for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, said method comprising the steps of: providing a low pressure axial fan comprising a plurality of first blades; providing a vortex generator operably and mounting said vortex generator proximal to said low pressure axial fan, said vortex generator comprising a plurality of second blades; providing a shaft and operably connecting said shaft to said low pressure axial fan to provide rotational energy from at least one external source of energy; and, operating said low pressure axial fan in an operational mode and said vortex generator in a stationary mode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C illustrate 3-D views of a system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an application of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, according to an embodiment of the invention; and,

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein below, which relate to systems and methods for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans.

[0020] FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C illustrate 3-D views of a system 100 for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, according to an embodiment of the invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans includes, a low pressure axial fan 102 including multiple first blades 104, and, a vortex generator 106 operably coupled to the low pressure axial fan 102 via a shaft 108. In use, the vortex generator 106 includes multiple second blades 110. In further use, the low pressure axial fan 102 is configured to operate in an operational mode and the vortex generator 106 is configured to operate in a stationary mode.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, and, FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the low pressure axial fan 102 and the vortex generator 106 are mounted parallel to each other. In use, the shaft 108 is a rotational shaft.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the low pressure axial fan 102 and the vortex generator 106 are mounted parallel to each other with a specific distance between them in a manner such that the vortex generator 106 generates a vortex similar to the low pressure axial fan 102, thereby enabling the low pressure axial fan 102 to draw in/expel more air for a same amount of energy supplied.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an application of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans, and, FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the system for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the low pressure axial fan 102 and the vortex generator 106 are mounted parallel to each other with the specific distance between them for converting ambient air into the output airflow of the system 100.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the efficiency of the low pressure axial fan 102 increases with a decrease in distance between the low pressure axial fan 102 and the vortex generator 106. Specifically, the low pressure axial fan 102 is most efficient when the low pressure axial fan 102 and the vortex generator 106 are at the least possible distance.

[0025] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, number of the first blades 104 of the low pressure axial fan 102 is equal to number of the second blades 110 of the vortex generator 106.

[0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vortex generator 106 is mounted parallel to the low pressure axial fan 102 on a front side of the low pressure axial fan 102. Specifically, the Vortex Generator 106 is placed parallel to the low pressure axial fan 102 on the side of which air is drawn by the low pressure axial fan 102.

[0027] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for increasing the efficiency of low pressure axial fans includes the steps of, providing a low pressure axial fan including multiple first blades, providing a vortex generator and operably coupling the vortex generator to the low pressure axial fan via a shaft, and, operating the low pressure axial fan in an operational mode and the vortex generator in a stationary mode.

[0028] Therefore, as may be seen, various embodiments of the present invention provide significant advantages over prior art, such as, for example, but not limited to, increasing an engine's efficiency without involving any form of moving parts, reducing wear and tear, low maintenance costs, and the like. In the application areas of computer cooling, the present invention possesses all the simplicity of current conventional computer fans, but with a stronger ventilation ability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention are less sophisticated and will be much easier to integrate into existing designs of jet engines, computer exhaust fans, and the like.

[0029] Moreover, embodiments of the present invention are aimed at drastically reducing Aviation Industry's Carbon Footprint, thereby increasing air travel's accessibility. Furthermore, the present invention will be able to save 30% of fuel consumed by a flight via integrating the Vortex Generating system as discussed herein, which is literally thousands of Gallons for a typical international trip, thereby decreasing air pollution and simultaneously increasing the accessibility of air travel.

[0030] Specifically, by using Static (fixed) LPAF as the Vortex Generator, the Thrust Specific fuel consumption of a typical Turbofan Engine is decreased by around 30%, and as the Static LPAF is fixed at the front of the Engine, there's a “barrier” to shield potential humans and/or birds from unintentionally getting sucked into the Engine. Also, the present invention is very simple to integrate into the existing Turbofan Engine models.

[0031] While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within the embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed to cover all equivalents falling within the true scope and spirit of the invention.