Centrifugal ceiling fan

Abstract

The present document describes a centrifugal ceiling fan. The fan comprises a casing, a motor and a centrifugal propeller. The casing comprises an upper surface comprising an air inlet and a lower surface comprising an air outlet. In an embodiment, the lower surface has a round bowl-like shape including a plurality of openings defining the air outlet. The propeller comprises a shaft and a plurality of blades provided around the shaft. The blades may be curved to push the air in all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft in order to evenly ventilate the room. The fan may include a heating element for heating the air as it exits from the fan.

Claims

1. A centrifugal ceiling fan comprising: a casing comprising an air inlet and an air outlet; a centrifugal propeller comprising a rotation shaft and a plurality of blades provided around said shaft, said blades being curved to push the air in substantially all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft; a motor operatively connected to said centrifugal propeller to rotate the centrifugal propeller; wherein rotation of the centrifugal propeller causes air to be received from said air inlet and to be pushed from said air outlet in substantially all directions between the first direction and the second direction.

2. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the blades have a width that varies along a direction of the rotation shaft.

3. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the blades have a variable width corresponding to the variable diameter.

4. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the casing has a diameter that varies along a direction of the rotation shaft.

5. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising a heating element for heating the air exiting from the air outlet.

6. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising an air regulator for directing the air to a desired location.

7. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 6, wherein the air regulator comprises a plurality of rings.

8. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 7, wherein a space between at least two rings is adjustable.

9. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 7, wherein an angle of orientation of at least one ring is adjustable.

10. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises an upper surface defining a lid and a lower surface defining an opening for receiving said lid.

11. A centrifugal ceiling fan comprising: a casing comprising an upper surface comprising an air inlet and a lower surface comprising an air outlet; a motor; a centrifugal propeller operatively connected to the motor for generating an air current, the centrifugal propeller comprising a rotation shaft and a plurality of blades provided around said shaft, said blades being curved and have a width that varies along a direction of the rotation shaft.

12. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 11, wherein the blades vary in width along the second direction.

13. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 11, further comprising an air regulator.

14. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 13, wherein the air regulator is adjustable.

15. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 13, wherein the air regulator comprises a plurality of rings.

16. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 15, wherein an orientation of at least one of the rings is adjustable.

17. The centrifugal propeller of claim 13, wherein the blades vary in width along the second direction.

18. The centrifugal ceiling fan of claim 17, further comprising an air regulator.

19. A centrifugal propeller for installing in a fan comprising a casing defining an air inlet and an air outlet, the centrifugal propeller comprising: a rotation shaft; a plurality of blades provided around the rotation shaft; wherein the plurality of blades are curved and dimensioned to push the air in substantially all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft upon rotation of the rotation shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional axial ceiling fan;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional axial ceiling fan with a casing;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a centrifugal ceiling fan in accordance with an embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 is an exemplary exploded view of the centrifugal ceiling fan illustrated in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates examples of how the blades of the ceiling fan may be curved, in accordance with an embodiment;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the even flow of air through the ceiling fan illustrated in FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a ceiling fan including an air regulator, in accordance with an embodiment;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a centrifugal ceiling fan including a plurality of rivets, in accordance with an embodiment; and

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an impeller in the form of a hamster wheel, in accordance with an embodiment.

(11) It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) In embodiments there is disclosed a centrifugal ceiling fan. The fan comprises a casing, a motor and a centrifugal propeller. The casing comprises an upper surface comprising an air inlet and a lower surface comprising an air outlet. In an embodiment, the lower surface has a round bowl-like shape including a plurality of openings defining the air outlet. The propeller comprises a shaft and a plurality of blades provided around the shaft. The blades may be curved to push the air in all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft in order to evenly ventilate the room. The fan may include a heating element for heating the air as it exits from the fan.

(13) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a centrifugal ceiling fan in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the centrifugal ceiling fan 40 includes a casing. In an embodiment, the casing has a round shape and comprises a lower bowl-like portion 42 comprising an air outlet, and an upper portion 43 defining a lid and comprising an air inlet. The lower portion 42 comprises an upper section 44, and a lower section 46. The lower portion has a variable diameter whereby, the diameter is larger at the upper section 44 than at the lower section 46. The upper and lower sections are connected by a plurality of linking members 48. The linking members 48 are spaced apart to define openings therebetween. The openings may extend between the upper section 44 and the lower section 46.

(14) The centrifugal ceiling fan 40 comprises a centrifugal impeller 52, and an electric motor 50 (Shown in FIG. 4) for rotating the impeller 52. The ceiling fan 40 may be attached to the ceiling using known attachment means through the upper end of the lid 43. Clasps or equivalent fastening means may be used for attachment of the entire apparatus to an electrical ceiling box.

(15) FIG. 4 is an exemplary exploded view of the centrifugal ceiling fan illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the impeller 52 comprises a rotation shaft 52 connected between two nuts 54, and a plurality of blades 56 provided angularly around the rotation shaft 52 between an upper plate 58 and a lower plate 60. In an embodiment, the upper and lower plates 58 and 60 include a plurality of openings for receiving the upper and lower ends of the blades, respectively.

(16) In the present embodiment, the electric motor 50 has a cylindrical shape and includes a flange between the two ends thereof. A static plate 62 is provided between the upper plate 58 and the lid 43 for supporting the motor 50. The static plate 62 rests on the inner side of the casing and includes an opening 64 having a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the motor and smaller than the diameter of the flange for receiving the portion of the motor which is under the flange. In an embodiment, a plurality of spacers 66 is provided between the lid 43 and the plate 62 for holding the motor 50 in place within the casing. As shown in FIG. 4, the spacers 66 are dimensioned to receive the upper portion of the motor above the flange. It should be noted that, while advantageous, the provision of the spacers 66 is optional because the lid itself 43 may be shaped to maintain the motor 50 in place.

(17) As shown in FIG. 4, the upper section 44 of the casing 40 defines an opening for receiving the lid 43. The lid 43 includes a plurality of ribs 68 connected between the upper surface and the lower surface thereof. The ribs 68 are spaced apart to define openings therebetween. The upper plate 58 and the static plate 62 also include a plurality of cutouts, as shown in FIG. 4 for letting the air pass therethrough.

(18) In order to evenly ventilate the room through the air outlet, the blades may be curved to push the air in substantially all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft, as shown in FIG. 6. An example of how the blades may be curved is shown in FIG. 5. The blades may have a variable width to fit within the casing. In this case, the width may be larger at the upper edge of the blades than at the lower edge. In an embodiment, the width of the blades corresponds to the diameter of the casing.

(19) During operation, the motor 50 rotates the centrifugal impeller 52. Air is received from the inlet provided in the lid to be directed in all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft so as to evenly ventilate the room. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the even flow of air through the ceiling fan illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 6, air is received from the openings provided in the lid 43 through the plate 62, the upper plate 58, and then pushed throughout the room in all directions. The shape of the lower portion 42 which defines the air outlet, and the shape of the blades 56 together allow for an even air distribution of the air throughout the room, as shown in FIG. 6.

(20) In an embodiment, a heating element is provided in the ceiling fan 40 for selectively using the ceiling fan for cooling/heating. The heating element may be placed between the impeller and the casing, thereby allowing the current that exits the casing to be heated. This will have the effect of reducing heating costs, making the centrifugal ceiling fan 40 economical. In an embodiment, the heating element may be provided on the linking members 48. In another embodiment, the heating element may be provided between the linking members or may be provided as a screen at one or more of the openings through which the air exits from the fan 40.

(21) The motor 50 and the heating element are powered by an electric current. The motor 50 and the heating element may operate on different types of currents and voltages. Provision of electric power to the motor and the heating element may be performed using well-known techniques.

(22) The motor 50 may have various speed settings to suit different rooms and meet current needs or desires within a given room. Similarly, the heating element may have various heating settings that suit different rooms and heating needs. Both the motor 50 and the heating element may be controlled remotely from a control panel and/or a remote control which are available on the market.

(23) A variety of the elements described herein e.g. motor, control panel, remote control are available on the market and may be chosen for the purposes described herein, as would be appreciated by a person of skill in the art.

(24) In another embodiment, the fan may include an air regulator for directing the air current to its desired destination. FIG. 7 illustrates a ceiling fan including an air regulator, in accordance with an embodiment. The air regulator comprises a series of rings 70. The rings 70 are apart from and placed one over the other. These rings 70 are of different radius, the largest ring being the one closest to the upper section 44 and the smallest being the one closer the lower section 46. The rings are angled differently to direct the air in the different directions. In an embodiment, the distance between the rings and/or the angle of each ring may be adjusted by the user manually and/or remotely in accordance with the user's needs, seating area, and/or dimensions of the room. For example when the ceiling is higher than the average, the angle of the rings is diminished so that the air is pushed downward toward the living area rather than perpendicularly toward the walls.

(25) FIG. 8 illustrates a centrifugal ceiling fan 80 including a plurality of rivets 82 around the casing, in accordance with an embodiment. These rivets 82 may be a quarter inch apart, which is enough spacing so as not to create any resistance for the egression of the air current. The impeller directs the air to the desired destination, as described earlier. The centrifugal fan 80 may be aesthetically designed for customer satisfaction. In an embodiment, the rivets may include a heating element for heating the air as it exits from the casing.

(26) FIG. 9 illustrates an impeller in the form of a hamster wheel, in accordance with an embodiment. In one embodiment, the direction of the current will be determined by the design of the casing and/or the previously described air regulator shown in FIG. 7. In another embodiment, (not shown) the blades of the hamster wheel may be curved to push the air in multiple directions as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5.

(27) In any one of the above embodiments, the fan may include lighting to allow for simultaneous ventilation and lighting. The lighting is preferably provided at the lower section of the casing.

(28) While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.