Columnar air moving devices, systems and methods

Abstract

An air moving device includes a housing member, an impeller assembly, and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly can include one or more angled vanes set an angle with respect to a central axis of the air moving device. The air moving device can output a column of moving air having an oblong and/or rectangular cross-section. A dispersion pattern of the column of moving air upon the floor of an enclosure in which the air moving device is installed can have an oblong and/or rectangular shape. The dimensions of the dispersion pattern may be varied by moving the air moving device toward or away from the floor, and/or by changing the angles of the stator vanes within the nozzle assembly.

Claims

1. An air moving device comprising: a housing comprising an outer housing and an inner housing, the inner housing coupled to the outer housing and positioned within the outer housing; an impeller rotatably mounted at least partially within the inner housing and configured to move air through the housing; a nozzle having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet comprising a first pair of sides and a second pair of sides, wherein the first pair of sides are shorter in length than the second pair of sides, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the outlet is less than the cross-sectional area of the inlet; one or more stator vanes positioned within the nozzle; and at least one bezel positioned at or near the outlet of the nozzle between the inner housing and the outer housing.

2. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the at least one bezel is removably connected to the air moving device.

3. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the at least one bezel is positioned adjacent the outlet.

4. The air moving device of claim 1, further comprising two bezels.

5. The air moving device of claim 1, further comprising a hanger capable of attaching to the air moving device, the hanger configured to facilitate attachment of the air moving device to a ceiling or other structure.

6. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the bezel is configured to reduce motion transverse to a central axis of the air moving device.

7. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the outer housing is generally constant, and a diameter of the inner housing varies.

8. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein each side of the first pair of sides are substantially identical in length and wherein each side of the second pair of sides are substantially identical in length.

9. An air moving device comprising: a housing having a length and a width, wherein an outer diameter along the length of the housing is generally constant and an inner diameter along the length of the housing varies; an impeller rotatably mounted at least partially within the housing and configured to move air through the housing; a nozzle having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet comprising a first pair of sides and a second pair of sides, wherein the first pair of sides are shorter in length than the second pair of sides, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the outlet is less than the cross-sectional area of the inlet; one or more stator vanes positioned within the nozzle; and at least one bezel positioned at or near the outlet of the nozzle.

10. The air moving device of claim 9, wherein the at least one bezel is removably connected to the air moving device.

11. The air moving device of claim 9, wherein the at least one bezel is positioned adjacent the outlet.

12. The air moving device of claim 9, further comprising two bezels.

13. The air moving device of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises an outer housing and an inner housing coupled with and positioned within the outer housing.

14. The air moving device of claim 9, further comprising a hanger capable of attaching to the air moving device, the hanger configured to facilitate attachment of the air moving device to a ceiling or other structure.

15. The air moving device of claim 9, wherein the bezel is configured to reduce motion transverse to a central axis of the air moving device.

16. The air moving device of claim 9, wherein each side of the first pair of sides are substantially identical in length and wherein each side of the second pair of sides are substantially identical in length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages of the present embodiments will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an air moving device in accordance with an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 2B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 3B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and a column of moving air leaving an outlet of the device.

(10) FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1, and a column of moving air leaving an outlet of the device.

(11) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a dispersion pattern of the column of moving air which impinges the floor of an enclosure.

(12) FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an embodiment of an air moving device wherein one or more of the stator vanes has a bent upstream end.

(13) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 8, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) As illustrated in FIG. 1, an air moving device 100 can include an outer housing 110. The outer housing 110 can have a generally cylindrical shape, though other shapes are possible. For example, the outer housing 110 can have an annularly symmetric shape with varying diameters along a length of the outer housing 110. The air moving device 100 can have an inlet 112 and an outlet 114. As illustrated, the air moving device 100 can have a central axis CL extending through the air moving device 100 between the inlet 112 and the outlet 114.

(15) A hanger 116 may be attached to the outer housing 110. For example, the hanger 116 may be hingedly attached to the outer housing 110 via one or more hinge points 118. The hanger 116 can facilitate installation of the air moving device 100 at or near a ceiling or other structure within an enclosure (e.g., a warehouse, retail store, grocery store, home, etc.). Further, the hanger 116 may advantageously space the inlet 112 from a mounting surface (e.g., a ceiling or other mounting surface). The hinged connection between the hanger 116 and the outer housing 110 can permit tilting of the air moving device 100 about the hinge points 118 before and/or after installation of the air moving device 100. In certain embodiments, no hanger may be used.

(16) As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-3B, the air moving device 100 can include a nozzle assembly 120. The nozzle assembly 120 can include an inner housing 122. The inner housing 122 can be attached to the outer housing 110. In some embodiments, the inner housing 122 is positioned entirely within the outer housing 110. In some embodiments, a portion of the inner housing 122 extends out from the inlet 112 and/or from the outlet 114 of the outer housing 110. In some applications, the air moving device 100 does not include an outer housing 110. In some such cases, the hanger 116 is attached directly to the inner housing 122.

(17) The air moving device 100 can include an impeller 124. The impeller 124 can be positioned at least partially within the inner housing 122. As illustrated, the impeller 124 can be positioned within an impeller housing 125. In some embodiments, the impeller housing 125 and inner housing 122 form a single and/or monolithic part. The impeller 124 can be configured to rotate one or more impeller blades 126. The impeller blades 126 can be fixed to a hub 123a of the impeller 124. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the impeller blades 126 are fixed to the hub 123a of the impeller 124 and fixed to an outer impeller body portion 123b. An axis of rotation of the impeller 124 can be substantially parallel to the central axis CL of the air moving device 100. For example, the impeller 124 and impeller blades 126 can act as an axial compressor within the air moving device 100 when the air moving device 100 is in operation. The impeller 124 can be configured to operate at varying power levels. For example, the impeller 124 can operate between 5 and 10 watts, between 7 and 15 watts, between 12 and 25 watts, and/or between 20 and 50 watts. In some embodiments, the impeller 124 is configured to operate at a power greater than 5 watts, greater than 10 watts, greater than 15 watts, and/or greater than 25 watts. Many variations are possible. In some cases, the power usage and/or size of the impeller used is determined by the height at which the air moving device 100 is installed within an enclosure. For example, higher-powered impellers 124 can be used for air moving devices 100 installed further from the floor of an enclosure.

(18) The inlet 112 can include an inlet 112 cowl. The inlet 112 cowl can be sized and shaped to reduce turbulence of flow of air entering inlet 112 of the air moving device 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the inlet cowl 128 can have a curved shape. The curved shape of the inlet cowl 128 can extend from an outer perimeter of the inlet 112 to an inlet to the impeller housing 125. The curved shape of the inlet cowl 128 can reduce the amount of sharp corners or other turbulence-inducing features faced by air approaching the impeller 124 from the inlet 112.

(19) In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly 120 includes one or more stator vanes. For example, as illustrated, the nozzle assembly 120 can include a center vane 130. The center vane 130 can be planar, and/or parallel to the central axis of the air moving device 100. The center vane 130 can be positioned in a substantial center of the nozzle assembly 120 as measured on the plane of FIG. 2A.

(20) The nozzle assembly 120 can include one or more angled vanes 132a, 132b. The angled vanes 132a, 132b can be planar (e.g., straight) and/or curved (e.g., S-shaped, double-angled, etc.). In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly 120 includes one angled vane on each side of the center vane 130. In some embodiments, more than one angled vane is positioned on each side of the center vane 130. Many variations are possible. The angle θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b with respect to the central axis CL of the air moving device 100 can be greater than or equal to 5°, greater than or equal to 10°, greater than or equal to 15°, greater than or equal to 25°, and/or greater than or equal to 45°. In some cases, the angle θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b with respect to the central axis CL of the air moving device 100 is between 5° and 65°. Many variations are possible. In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly 120 has an even number of stator vanes. In some cases, the nozzle assembly 120 does not include a center vane 130 and only includes one or more angled vanes. The air moving device 100 can be constructed such that the nozzle assembly 120 is modular with respect to one or more of the other components of the air moving device 100. For example, in some embodiments, a nozzle assembly 120 can be removed from the air moving device 100 and replaced with another nozzle assembly 120 (e.g., a nozzle assembly having a larger outlet, a smaller outlet, more or fewer stator vanes, greater or lesser vane angles, etc.). In some cases, the inner housing 122 of the nozzle assembly 120 is constructed in two halves, each half connected to the other half via one or more fasteners 127 or other fastening devices. In some such cases, the two halves of the inner housing 122 can be separated to permit replacement of one or more of the stator vanes 130, 132a, 132b.

(21) Referencing FIGS. 3A-3B, the nozzle assembly 120 can include one or more cross-vanes 136. The one or more cross-vanes 136 can be planar and/or curved. The one or more cross-vanes may be positioned within the nozzle assembly 120 perpendicular to one or more of the vanes 130, 132a, 132b. For example, the nozzle assembly 120 can include a single cross-vane 136 that is substantially perpendicular to the center vane 130. The cross-vane 136 can be positioned in a substantial center of the nozzle assembly 120 as measured on the plane of FIG. 3A.

(22) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the inlet 112 of the air moving device 100 can have a substantially circular cross-section. In some case, an upstream end or inlet (e.g., the upper end with respect to FIG. 2A) of the nozzle assembly 120 has a substantially circular cross-section. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the outlet 114 of the air moving device 100 (e.g., the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120) has a substantially rectangular, oval-shaped, and/or oblong cross-section. For example, the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120 can have a pair of long sides 115a, 115b and a pair of short sides 117a, 117b. Each of the long sides 115a, 115b can be substantially identical in length. In some embodiments, each of the short sides 117a, 117b are substantially identical in length. The length of the short sides 117a, 117b can be substantially equal to a length of a minor axis of the oblong shape of the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120. In some embodiments, the length of the long sides 115a, 115b of the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120 is substantially equal to a length of a major axis of the oblong shape of the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120. The length of the short sides 117a, 117b can be less than or equal to ⅛, less than or equal to ⅙, less than or equal to ¼, less than or equal to ⅓, less than or equal to ½, less than or equal to ⅝, less than or equal to ¾, and/or less than or equal to 9/10 of the length of the long sides 115a, 115b. In some cases, the length of the short sides 117a, 117b is between ⅛ and ½, between ⅓ and ¾, and/or between ⅜ and 9/10 of the length of the long sides 115a, 115b. Many variations are possible. In some embodiments, the outlet of the nozzle assembly can be elliptical or rectangular in shape.

(23) The cross-sectional area of the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120 is less than or equal to 95%, less than or equal to 90%, less than or equal to 85%, less than or equal to 75% and/or less than or equal to 50% of the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the nozzle assembly 120. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120 is between 75% and 95%, between 55% and 85%, between 70% and 90%, and/or between 30% and 60% of the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the nozzle assembly 120. Many variations are possible.

(24) As illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 5, the hanger 116 can be connected to the outer housing 110 at hinge points 118 having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the center vane 130 (e.g., generally parallel to the major axis of the outlet to the nozzle assembly 120). In some such arrangements, the air moving device 100 can be mounted offset from a centerline of an aisle and rotated about the hinge points 118 to direct air toward the center of the floor of the aisle. For example, the air moving device 100 can be installed adjacent to a light fixture, where the light fixture is positioned over a centerline of the aisle.

(25) In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly 120 can be rotatable within the outer housing 110. For example, the nozzle assembly 120 can be rotated about the axis of rotation of the impeller 124 with respect to the hanger 116. In some such embodiments, the nozzle assembly 120 can be releasable or fixedly attached to the outer housing 110 in a plurality of rotational orientations. For example, the inner housing 122 and/or nozzle assembly 120 can be installed in the outer housing 110 such that the axis of rotation of the hanger 116 is generally perpendicular to the major axis of the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120.

(26) In some embodiments, the air moving device 100 includes one or more bezels 138. The bezels 138 can be positioned between the inner housing 122 and the outer housing 110 at the outlet 114 of the air moving device 100. For example, the bezels 138 can be positioned between the oblong wall of the outlet 114 of the air moving device 100 and the substantially circular wall of the outer housing 110 adjacent the outlet 114. The bezels 138 can provide structural stability at the outlet end 114 of the air moving device 100. For example, the bezels 138 can reduce or eliminate later motion (e.g., motion transverse to the central axis CL of the air moving device 100) between the outlet of the nozzle assembly 120 and the outlet end of the outer housing 110. The bezels 138 can be configured to be interchangeable. For example, the bezels 138 can be replaced with bezels of varying sizes and shapes to correspond with nozzle outlets of various sizes and shapes. In some cases, interchangeable bezels can be mounted adjacent the nozzle inlet to correspond to nozzle inlets having various sizes and shapes.

(27) As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a gap 134 between the impeller blades 126 and one or more of the vanes can be small. For example, a height HG (measured parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller 124) of the gap 134 between the downstream edge of the impeller blades 126 and an upstream edge of one or more of the stator vanes can be proportional to the diameter of the impeller 124 (e.g., diameter to the tip of the impeller blades 126). Preferably, the height HG of the gap 134 is less than or equal to one half the diameter of the impeller 124.

(28) Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the air moving device 100 can be configured to output a column of air 140. The column of moving air 140 can extend out from the outlet 114 of the air moving device 100. In some embodiments, the column of moving air 140 flairs outward in a first direction while maintaining a substantially constant width in a second direction. For example, the column of moving air 140 may flair outward from the central axis CL of the air moving device in a plane parallel to the plane of the cross-vane 136 (e.g., the plane of FIG. 6A). The column of moving air 140 can flair out at an angle β with respect to the central axis CL of the air moving device 100. Angle β can be greater than or equal to 3°, greater than or equal to 7°, greater than or equal to 15°, greater than or equal to 25°, and/or greater than or equal to 45°. In some embodiments, angle β is between 2° and 15°, between 8° and 25°, between 20° and 45°, and/or between 30° and 60°. Many variations are possible. The angle β of the column of moving air 140 can be proportional to the angle θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b. For example, increasing the angle θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b can increase the angle β of the column of moving air 140 (e.g., to widen the column of moving air 140). In some cases, reducing the angle θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b can reduce the angle β of the column of moving air 140. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the column of moving air 140 may have a generally columnar (e.g., vertical or non-flaring) pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the cross-vane 136 (e.g., the plane of FIG. 6B).

(29) In some embodiments, the dispersion pattern 142 of the air column 140 which impinges the floor 144 of the enclosure in which the air moving device 100 is installed has a width W and a length L. The length L can be greater than the diameter D or cross-sectional width of the air moving device 100, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. For example, the length L of the dispersion pattern 142 can be greater than or equal to 1.1 times, greater than or equal to 1.3 times, greater than or equal to 1.5 times, greater than or equal to 1.7 times, greater than or equal to 2 times, greater than or equal to 2.3 times, greater than or equal to 2.7 times, and/or greater than or equal to 4 times the diameter D of the air moving device 100. In some cases, the length L of the dispersion pattern 142 is between 1 and 1.8 times greater, between 1.7 and 2.9 times greater, and/or between 2.7 and 5 times greater than the diameter D of the air moving device 100.

(30) In some embodiments, the width W is less than or equal to the diameter of the air moving device 100, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. For example the width W of the dispersion pattern 142 can be between ¼ and ¾, between ½ and ⅞, and/or between ¾ and 9/10 of the diameter D of the air moving device 100. In some cases, the width W of the dispersion pattern 142 is greater than the diameter D of the air moving device 100 (e.g., when the column of moving air 140 expands at a distance from the outlet 114 of the air moving device 100). For example, the width W of the dispersion pattern can be between 1 and 1.4 times, between 1.3 and 1.8 times, and/or between 1.5 and 2.5 times the diameter D of the air moving device 100. The width W can be sized and shaped to fit between two or more storage units 144 (e.g., within an aisle) in a grocery store or other retail setting. In some cases, the width W is less than ⅛, less than ¼, less than ⅓, less than ½, less than ⅔, less than ¾, and/or less than 9/10 of the length L of the dispersion pattern 142. The width W can be between 1/10 and ¼, between ⅛ and ⅓, between ½ and ¾, and/or between ⅝ and 9/10 of the length of the dispersion pattern 142. Many variations are possible. Each of the above ratios between the width W of the dispersion pattern 142, the length L of the dispersion pattern 142, and the diameter D of the air moving device 100 can be attained when the air moving device 100 is mounted at a given height H from the floor 144. For example, the height H can be between 8 feet and 12 feet, between 10 feet and 15 feet, between 14 feet and 20 feet, and/or between 18 feet and 40 feet. At a given height, the angles θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b can be modified to modify the ratio between the width W of the dispersion pattern 142, the length L of the dispersion pattern 142, and the diameter D of the air moving device 100.

(31) A user of the air moving device 100 can vary the first width W1 of the dispersion pattern 142. For example, the user can increase the height H at which the air moving device 100 is installed within the enclosure. Increasing the height H can increase the distance over which the column of moving air 140 flairs outward, increasing the width W1. Conversely, decreasing the height H can decrease the width W1 of the dispersion pattern 142.

(32) FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment of an air moving device 1100. Numerical reference to components is the same as previously described, except that the number “1” has been added to the beginning of each reference. Where such references occur, it is to be understood that the components are the same or substantially similar previously-described components unless otherwise indicated. For example, in some embodiments, the impeller 1124 of the air moving device 1100 can be the same or substantially similar in structure and/or function to the impeller 124 of the air moving device 100 described above. The air moving device 1100 can include a hanger (not shown) having the same or a similar structure to the hanger 116 described above.

(33) As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 the air moving device 1100 can include a plurality of stator blades 1132a, 1132b, 1132c, 1132d, 1132e, and/or 1132f (hereinafter, collectively referred to as stator blades 1132). Each of the stator blades 1132 can include an upstream end 1133 and a downstream end 1135 (hereinafter, specific upstream and downstream ends of specific stator blades are identified by like letters, e.g., upstream and downstream ends 1133a, 1135a of stator blade 1132a). In some cases, the upstream end(s) of one or more of the stator blades 1132 is curved away from or bent at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124 is parallel to and/or collinear with the central axis CL (e.g., nozzle axis) of the air moving device 1100. The upstream end(s) of one or more of the stator blades 1132 can be curved away from or bent to reduce the angle of attack on the upstream end of the stator blade of the air exiting the impeller 1124. Reducing the angle of attack on the upstream end of the stator blade of the air exiting the impeller 1124 can reduce turbulent flow within the device 1100. Reducing turbulent flow in the device 1100 can reduce noise and/or increase efficiency (e.g., exit flow rate compared to electricity used) of the device 1100.

(34) In some embodiments, the bent upstream portions of the stator blades 1132 are curved away from or bent in directions parallel to the cross-vane 1136 of the nozzle assembly 1120. For example, the cross-vane 1136 can separate the interior of the nozzle assembly 1120 (e.g., the interior of the inner housing 1122) into two separate chambers 1137a, 1137b. In some cases, multiple cross-vanes separate the interior of the nozzle assembly into three or more separate chambers. As illustrated, the first, second, and third stator vanes 1132a-c are positioned in one chamber (e.g., first chamber 1137a) of the interior of the nozzle and the fourth, fifth, and sixth stator vanes 1132d-f are positioned in another chamber (e.g., second chamber 1137b) of the interior of the nozzle. The stator vanes positioned on one side of cross-vane 1136 (e.g., in a first chamber of the nozzle interior) are curved or bent in a direction opposite the direction in which the stator vanes positioned on the opposite side of the cross-vane 1136 (e.g., in a second chamber of the nozzle interior) are curved or bent.

(35) As illustrated, the impeller 1124 of the air moving device 1100 is configured to rotate in the clockwise direction (e.g., in the frame of reference of the plane of FIG. 8) about the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124 when moving air into the inlet 1112 and out through the outlet 1114 of the device 1100. The cross-vane lateral component of the air exiting the impeller 1124 can be defined as the velocity component parallel to the cross-vane 1136 and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124. The cross-vane lateral component of the air exiting a given rotor blade 1126 can changer as the blade 1126 rotates about the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124. For example, the cross-vane lateral component of the air exiting a given rotor blade can be close to zero as the rotor blade passes the cross-vane 1136. The cross-vane lateral component of the air exiting the given rotor blade will increase as the rotor blade continues to move about the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124, before diminishing as the impeller blade approaches the cross-vane 1136 on an opposite side of the device 1100 from the point at which the impeller blade had previously crossed the cross-vane 1136.

(36) As illustrated in FIG. 9, one or more of the stator vanes 1132 can be curved or bent at their respective first ends 1133 to an inlet angle. For example, the inlet end 1133a of the first stator vane 1132a can be curved or bent to a first inlet angle IA1. The inlet end 1133b of the second stator vane 1132b can be curved or bent to a second inlet angle IA2. The inlet end 1133c of the third stator vane 1132c can be curved or bent to a third inlet angle IA3. As illustrated, in some cases, the first inlet angle IA1 is less than the second inlet angle IA2. In some cases, the first inlet angle IA1 is less than the third inlet angle IA3. In some cases, the second inlet angle IA2 is less than the third angle IA3.

(37) In some embodiments, the downstream end 1135 of one or more of the stator vanes 1132 is angled with respect to (e.g., bent and/or curved away from) the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124 by an outlet angle. For example, the downstream end 1135a of the first stator vane 1132a can be angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124 by an outlet angle OA1. The outlet end 1135b of the second stator vane 1132b can be angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124 by an outlet angle OA2. The outlet end 1135c of the third stator vane 1132c can be angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124 by an outlet angle OA3. One or more of the outlet angles (e.g., the outlet angle OA2 of the second stator vane 1132b) can be zero. In some cases, the outlet angles OA1, OA3 of the first and third stator vanes 1132a, 1132c are opposite each other such that the outlet ends 1135a, 1135c of the first and third stator vanes 1132a, 1132c flare outward or taper inward with respect to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124. One or both of the outlet angles OA1, OA3 of the first and third stator vanes 1132a, 1132c can be similar to or equal to the angle θ of the angled vanes 132a, 132b with respect to the axis of rotation of the impeller 1124.

(38) The stator vanes positioned within the second chamber 1137b of the interior of the nozzle assembly 1120 can have the same or similar construction and features of the stator vanes positioned within the first chamber 1137a, wherein the vanes in the second chamber 1137b are mirrored about the centerline CL of the device 1100 with respect to the vanes in the first chamber 1137a. For example, the fourth stator vane 1132d can have the same or a similar overall shape and position in the second chamber 1137b as the first stator vane 1132a has in the first chamber 1137a. The same can be true when comparing the fifth stator vane 1132e to the second stator vane 1132b, and/or when comparing the sixth stator vane 1132f to the third stator vane 1132c. In some embodiments, the angles of attack on the upstream ends of the stator vanes 1132d-f of the air exiting a given impeller blade as it passes the stator vanes 1132d-f are the same as or similar to the angles of attack on the upstream ends of the stator vanes 1132a-c, respectively, of the air exiting the impeller blade as it passes the stator vanes 1132d-f.

(39) The terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount.

(40) Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.