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    Composites Fan Blade Including Wheel and Assembly Characterized by the Same

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    Us 20150211375 a 1

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    Composites Fan Blade Including Wheel and Assembly Characterized by the Same

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    4 views14 pages

    Us 20150211375 A 1

    Uploaded by

    Chaitanya Shah
    Composites Fan Blade Including Wheel and Assembly Characterized by the Same

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 14
    US 20150211 us United States cz) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2015/0211375 Al oy ay m 0) an @ (86) (6) Barry et al. “INCLUDING WHEEL & ASSEMBLY CHARACTERIZED BY SAM Applicant: Twin Fan Companies, 1d, ‘Minneapolis, MN (US) Inventors: Charles L. Barry, Naples, FL (US): Mike P. Petro, Albertville. MN (US) ‘Umesh G. Nagargoje, Plymouth, MN’ (US); Tony Schoenwald, Sioux Falls SD (US); Alan Bear, New Hope, MN (US); John P. Mahoney, Sioux Falls, SD (US); eff Craemer, New Brighton, MN (us) Assignee: Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd ‘Minneapolis, MN (US) Appl.No: 13/261,890 PCT Tiled: Now. 14, 2012 PCTNo: PCT/USI2I64954 $371 (ot), ()Dawe: "May 14,2014 Related US. Application Data Provisional application No. 61/$59,268, filed on Now 14, 2011, provisional application No. 61/562,129, filed on Nov. 21, 2011 TSAI (43) Pub, Date Jul. 30, 2015 ication Classification (1) Ince Foi 528 (2006.01) (2006.01) «@) L crc FOLD 5/282 (2013.01); FOID S/187 (201301) on ABSTRACT An imyproved fan blade is characterized by a fan blade body fand anchors extending therefrom, The fan blade body ineludes opposingly paired ends and opposingly pared sides, ‘the opposingly paired ends for extension between a backplate and a wheel cone ofa fan wheel assembly, with each side oF the opposingly paired sides for tnited extension across a portion of each of the backplate and whee! cane ofthe fan ‘wheel assembly. Each anchor of the anchors includes an aperture, with cach anchor of the anchors substantially extendable through a portion of ether of the backplate oF ‘wheel cone of the fan wheel assembly such that at least a portionof the aperture of the anchor extends beyond ether of fhe backplate or wheel eone of the fan wheel assembly with the at leat a portion of the apertre of the anchor for receipt ‘of an atehor pi. Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015 Sheet 1 of 8 US 2015/0211375 Al Patent Application Publication _ Jul. 30, 2015 Sheet 2 of 8 US 2015/0211375 Al FIG. 2 Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015 Sheet 3 of 8 US 2015/0211375 Al Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015 Sheet 4 of 8 US 2015/0211375 Al ee Be w Th gi) ba Bz 3 ls pa 7 ag “f & N “G 92. G27 HE <—— a Coa q Gt oY y oan 17 ~&2 \ so Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015. Sheet 5 of 8 ‘US 2015/0211375 AL & j ze 2 ME a 5 aw FIG. 5B FIG. 5 FIG. 5A Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015. Sheet 6 of 8 ‘US 2015/0211375 AL Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015. Sheet 7 of 8 ‘US 2015/0211375 AL 52. FIG. 7 FIG. 8 Patent Application Publication Jul. 30, 2015 Sheet 8 of 8 US 2015/0211375 Al US 2015/0211375 Al ‘COMPOSITE FAN BLADE, INCLUDING WHEEL & ASSEMBLY CHARACTERIZED BY ‘SAME, 10001} This isan intemational application filed under 33 USC §363 claiming priority under 35 USC §120 offto US. Pat. Appl. Set. No. 61/559,268 fled Nov. 14, 2011, and Pat. Appl. Se. No. 61/562, 129 fled Nov. 21.2011, each entitled COMPOSITE FAN BLADE, INCLUDING WHEEL & ASSEMBLY CHARACTERIZED BY SAME, exch diselo- sure hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, TECHNICAL FIELD {0002} ‘The present invention generally relates to fans, e.g. ‘an assemblies or fan wheels, more particularly to composite fan blades and fans characterized by composite fan blades, ‘and more particulary stl to fan wheels characterized by a improved operative engagement, attachment, union intepra- tion, ef. of a composite element there! BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10003] ‘The primary function of industrial fans i to provide ‘lang Oil Bow, with general uit in!Yor processes such as ‘combustion, ventilation, aeration, particulate wansport, ‘exhuust, voling. ar-leaning and drying. Fluid flow delivery is accomplishod by rotating a numberof blades, connected to ‘a hub and shaft, and driven by a motor or turbine. Industrial fans are generally categorized as being either centrifugal or ‘axial in nature, with each having a characteristic uid flow path indicative oftheir moniker. 10003) | Centifvgal fans use a rotating impeller to increase the velocity ofa lui. As the flsid moves from the impeller hhubto the fan bade ips, it gains kinetic enerpy, which in turn jis converted toa state pressure increase asthe air slows in ‘advance of discharge, [0005] Axial fans move Mud slong the axis ofthe fan. The i s pressurized by the aerodynamic lit, axial forces, enerated by the fan blades. Propeller, tubeaxial and vane axial fans are well know variants of this style fan, with the Tubeaxial and vane axial being more complex versions ofthe propeller fn, [0006] OF the ovo, centrifugal fans are most commonly ‘sed in industry osting to thir ability to generate high pres- sures with high efficiency. Moreover centrifugal fans ean be ‘constricted to accommodate harsh operating condition. [0007] For example, composite assemblies are generally known and applied ia and fora varity of contexts, eg. and ‘without limitation, where inerines, increased strength, and ‘or reduced weight are required or perceived as desirable’ advantageous. In the instant setting, industrial fans, for ‘example, may be, and oftentimes must be, among other things, sufficiently inert to hold up to process rigors and sit streams characterized by deleterious components [0008] Fiberfabric reinforced plastic/polymer (FRP) con- struction is commonly ulized for such settingsaplications, with fiberglass or carbon fiber construction being prevalent. Asis generally known and understood, FRP isa composite material made ofa polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. In dition 10 glass and carbon fibers, aramid (e.g, Kevlar®) fibers as wel as cellulosic fibers are known, Moreover nor zanie particulates are known as “ber” substi. AS to the ‘matrix, the polymer is usually an epoxy, vinyl ester, or poly- ‘ester thermoseting plastic, Jul. 30, 2015 [0009] One known and not infrequently encountered indus- ‘ral air handling scenario implicates a backward curved high sressure composite fan, Such fan inchndes abackward curved Tan blade in the contest of an indusial fan designed for ‘handling paticulate-free, corrosive or esti at in high ees- sre applications where coaveational steel and stainless steel fans would eoerade, Al ofthe parts that are exposed to the airstream are constricted of high-quality corosion resistant ‘materials to avoid material breakdown from most chemicals. [0010] “Typical or representative industries that utilize this style of fan include fertilizer, metal and mineral processing. pulp-and-paper, tel processing, petrochemical and pharma cutie! plans, and water and wastewater treatment facilities. ‘Typical or representative applications include, fume control exhaust, odor conto, oil mist emissions, pollution/emissions control, process controVbeating/eooling and serubbers. [011] Generally, but not necessarily characteristic of such representative applications isa requirement for relatively high fluid low sta medium to high discharge pressure. In an effort to acheive greater capacity and efliciency, composi single thickness fan blades (i.e, monolithic eomposite lami rules) have been adupted for, among other things, weight reduction, with fan blades known to comprise “sandstich” composite structures, i. two high strength skins or facings sd by a core materilfelement, e., a foam core cle ‘comprised of cellular polyvinyl chloride ofthe like With improved strenath-to-weight ratios, such fan blades lle beter performance and operating economy. [0012] While fan blades per se have been so adapted, real- ‘vation of hoped for performance advantage and improved ‘operting economy have yet 19 be realized fully realized ‘ovving to shortcomings of fan wheels/fan assemblies so char- acterized. Such fan blades traverse a backplate and a wheel fone (a/k/a inlet cone or inlet plate) with affixation of eaeh blade to each of the backplate and wheel cone via primary and secondary bonding in the form of adhesive and FRP joints respectively. Higher capacity has generally been hampered by the interface for and between the fan blade and the back- plate and wheel cone, namely less than optimal integration ‘ofthe fin blades to'with the backplate and whee! cone, [013] In light of the forgoing, itis generally believed advantageous to improve sclet components of industrial fas in furtherance of atleast satislying performance and mainte- nance objectives, Moreover, is ikese belived advan zeous to improve one cf more relationships for, between, fndior among such select components of such fan, of fi ‘more generally. More particularly, itis believed desirable and advantagenus to provide an improved interface and/or aper- ‘ive integration for, between and among composite fan blade and its associated fan wheel elements, namely. a backplate and wheel cone thereo! SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] _Animprovee fan blade is generally provided, More- ‘over, both a fan whe! assembly and a fan assembly so char- acterized are contemplated and provided [0015] ‘The improved fan blade is characterized by 2 fan blade body and anchors extending therelzom. The fan blade body inelides opposingly paired ends and opposingly paired sides, the opposingly paired ends for extension Between 3 backplate and a wheel cone of a fan winel assembly, with each side ofthe opposingly paired sides for united extension fcrossa portion ofeachof thebackplateand wheel conco the {ian wheel assembly. Each anehor ofthe anchors includes an US 2015/0211375 Al ‘aperture, with each anchor of the anchors substatilly ‘extendable through « portion of either of the backplate oF ‘whee! cone of the fan wheel assembly such tha a least portion ofthe aperture of the anchor extends beyond either of the backplate or whool cone of the fan wheel assembly with the at least a portion of the aperture of the anchor for receipt ‘ofan anchor pin for disposition proximate either of the back> plate orsvheel cane of the fan wheel assembly in furtherance ‘of affixing the fan blade to either or both ofthe backplate oF ‘wheel cone ofthe fan wheel assembly. [0016] |The an blade/fan blade body may bea single thick- ness element, e.g, 8 monolithic composite structure ge con- strvct, ora sandwich composite siete, As othe ltr, itis advantageously contemplated thatthe fan blade body com- Prise foam core clement within afer reinforced polymer Faminate 10017] Advantapeousy, but not necessarily or exclusively, 8 first side of opposingly pared sis ofthe fan blade body Jncludes an anchor of anchors which extend ftom the blade body. A second side of the opposingly paired sides of the blade body likewise includes an anchor of the anchors Which ‘extend from the blade body. More particularly, the first side rmay’be fairly characterized as havinga backplate anchor, and the second sce as having a wheel cone anchor. The backplate anchor is operatively received by and through a portion of the backplate, wih an anchor pin received within an aperture of the anchor for disposition in abuting engagement with the backplate. similararrangementis provided forin elation to the wheel cone, with the instant integration mechanism, in ‘addition tothe primary and secondary bonds, ffectuating an improved united integration of the fan whee! assembly ele- ments, thusly enabling sought aller performance advantage and improved operating economy. [0018] |More specific features and advantages obtained in View of those features will hcome apparent with reference 0 the drawing figures and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ‘THE INVENTION. BRIBE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. [0019] FIG. 1 depicts, perspective view ilo right and out- Jet left, an illustrative, non-limiting fan assembly character fed by an imprcned composite fam wheel 10020] FIG. 2 depicts, perspective view inlet left and outlet right, an illostrative, non-limiting fan whee, ea fan whee] ‘ofthe fan assembly of FIG. 1; [0021] FIG. 3 depicts, front elevation partial cut-away, @ Surther illustrative, non-limiting fan wheel: 10022] FIG. 4 depicts, in elevation section View about line AA, the fan wheel of FIG. 3 10023] FIG. § depicts, in elevation with orientation back- plate right, an iostative, nonlimiting fan blade othe fan ‘wheel of FIG. 3 10028) FIGS. 5A & SB each depict, in end view A-A and ‘end view B-B respectively the fan blade of FIG. 5 0025] FIG. 6 depicts, font elevation, the backplate ofthe Fan wheel of FIG. 3 10026) FIG. 7 depicts, front elevation, the wheel cone ofthe Tan wheel of FIG. 3 10027] FIG. 8 depicts, in elevation seetion view about line AA, the wheel cone of FIG. 7 [0028] FIG. 9A depicts detils of area “A” ofthe fan whee! ithastatedin FIG. 4, more particulary, heh, hub cover and shalt sleeve iteraees oF Unions; Jul. 30, 2015 [0029] 1G. 9B depicts details of area “B” ofthe fan whee! illustrated in FIG. 4, more particularly, the fan bladefan blade body and reinforcing ring interlace or union; and, [0030] FIG. 9C depicts details of area of the fan whee! illustated in FIG. 4, more particularly, a representative tab ‘and fan blade interface oF union DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0031] Non-limiting particulars are generally set forth in the figures and the following written description, More par ticularly fam assembly (eg, FIG. 1), andlor a fan wheel (ex, FIG. 2or FIG, 3) characterized by, among other things, ‘composite FRP constriction whercin fan blades (eg, FIG. '8)of the fan wheel, more particulary, fan blade body ofthe fan blades, advantageously, but not necessarily, includes apertured anchors, eg. tabs, extending from the blade body in furtherance of reinforcing or fortfying an interface for and between the fan blade and ether of o hath ofthe backplate And wheel eone ofthe fan whee! assembly. As will Iter be atsled illustrative, non-Limting fan blade adaptations are tisclosed and shown to enable and thusly effectuate» ‘supremely’stong interface forthe fan blades in elation tothe ‘main fan wheel elements. In addition to really aiding fabe- cation of composite fan wheels, the overall fan wheel adap- {ations permit higher operating fan speeds than hereiofore known composite constructs, with attendant and promised advantages, especially inthe context of “sandwich” compos- ite fan blades, realized [0032] Inadvance of a presentation of particulars, an over- View of the balance af the disclosure is provided as are pre- liminary comments as to the drawings. As tothe latter, of FIGS. 1.9C, a composite fan assembly is generally depicted in FIG, 1, wih composite fan wheels shown in FIGS, 2 & 3. An advantageous, non-limiting “sandwich” composite fan bade is shown in FIG. 8, and the Views of FIGS, SA & SB. Fan wheel assembly integration particulars are general appreciated with reference to FIG. 4 and in relation to the details of each of FIGS. 9A, 9B, & 9C. Relationships for between and among the fan blade (FIG. 8), the backplate (FIG. 6) and the wheel cone (FIG. 7), among others, are generally usirated and appreciated with reference 10 atleast TIGS. 35 & 9A-9C. With regard to the former, the ssem- bles, subassemblies andor sinctures of FIGS. 1-3 ae ini. tially and generally taken up, followed! by a presentation of particulars with regard to the fin blade of FIG. § and its relationship to the backplate and whee! cone 0033] With initial and general reference to FIGS. 1 & 2. there is shown in FIG. 1 a representative centrifugal fan assembly 20 of composite construction, eg. a backward curved high pressure composite fan (model ISP of BCF) {rom Twin City Fan Companies, Lu, MN, USA. As ind cated, the assembly 20 generally includes a fan wheel 30, ‘operatively supported upon 2 driven shaft, a housing or sero 90 within which the wheel is housed, and a motor 100 for eiving the shaft and ths rotating the fan wheel. The housing ‘9s generally characterized by an inlet 92: an outlet 943s indicated, with Quid How arows (—) included forthe sake of clarity. While the subject diselosure emphasizes composite feansinets, it should not be read or interpreted as boing im ited to same. Modifications and/r adaptations, variations fn the theme ofan improved interface fora fan blade in the ‘ontextof fan wheel assembly, in other contexts are likewise contemplated. US 2015/0211375 Al 10034] The fun wheel/aa whee! assembly 30, 38 best see snd appreciated with reference to FIG. 2 i generally char ‘acterized by fin blades, eg, backward curved blades 70.35 shovin,a backplate 40, cada wheel cone or conical shroud, the fan blades traversing the backplate and wheel cone, As ‘plications warrant, fan wheel assembly 30 may advaata- geously, but not necessarily include, as shown, a reinkorce- ‘ent ring 60 for supporting the fan blades generally intermne- ate their widths, with the fan blades accordingly adapted via the inclusion ofa slot (FIG. $) as willbe later discussed 10035] | Commercially, fourwheel designs are contemplated Torte BCSF line, Two mediuin pressure wheels, MI & M2, and two high pressure wheels, HI & H2, with associated! ‘corresponding tip speeds to 24,500 and 26,000 FPM respec tively. Generally and without limitation, the M2.& H2 wheels are characterized by, among other things, a fan blade rein oreement ring. Wheel sizes are generally available within & range of about 16.5-60 inch diameters, with airflow to about 147,000 CPM, and static pressure to about 26" wa. Advan- tageously all fearea.non-overloadiag wheel design suitable {or applications requiring large volumes of air at moderate to high pressures, with either fberplass, Class FG, oF eabat fiber, Class CF, wheel construction. Further particulars an performance data are par-and-parcel of Bulletin 410, April 2012, “Backward Curved High Pressure Composite Fans,” ‘Twin City Fan & Blowers, incorporated hereinby relerencein 10036] Turning now and generally referencing FIGS, 3 & 4 ‘and 6-8, a representative fan wheel assembly is shown, more particularly, a representative composite fan whee! 30 charac- terized by preferred, non-limiting relationships fr, between and amongelements thereof, among others, te fn Blades 70, the backplate 40 and the wheel cone 80. As is generally indicated (FIG. 4), backplate 40 is operatively supported Uuponin elation toa hub 62, witha bub cover 64 overiying the hhub 62 as shown Particulars associated with area “A” of FIG. fare depicted in FIG. 9A whereia there is shown an operative tinion for and besween the backplate 40, the hub 62, the hub ‘cover 64 and a shaft sleeve 66 generally characterized by ‘conventional hardware 68 and attendant component seals (Ge hub cover, hardware and shat sleeve) comprised of one ‘or more layers of chopped stand mat 61 as indicate. 10037} As best viewed in connection to FIG. 6, the hack= plate 40 advantageously includes slots 42, more particuacy, but not necessarily, circunferentially spaced apart sot pairs, ‘each slot pair or receipt of comespondingly pred anchors of thebody’of the composite fan blade (i.e, eorespondling lot Js provided for euch tab, with single tbislot arrangements likewise contemplated), The slot pairs may be fairly charac- terized as comprising an “inner” slot and an “outer” sl, the inner slots generally delimiting a first backplate slot periph- ‘ey of radius BPRI, the outer slots generally delimiting 3 second backplate slot periphery of radius BPR2, with BPRI

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