Patent ID: 8221064
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: A01F,F04D

Abstract:
1. A transverse fan assembly for effecting, in the air flow output across the expanse of the air outlet therefrom, a desired air flow pattern, comprising an air plenum having associated therewith an air inlet thereto and an air outlet therefrom, said air inlet having an expanse across which air is provided to be drawn into the transverse fan assembly, said air outlet having an expanse across which air is expelled from the transverse fan assembly, a transverse fan disposed within said air plenum, said transverse fan having an expanse extending generally across said air plenum, being rotatable about an axis of rotation extending generally across said air plenum, and having an outer periphery, said air plenum having a leading edge disposed generally adjacent to said outer periphery of said transverse fan, said leading edge and said transverse fan defining an air inlet entryway from said air inlet to said air plenum, said air inlet entryway having an expanse extending generally along at least a portion of said outer periphery of said transverse fan, said transverse fan rotatable about said axis of rotation to draw air in an air pathway from said air inlet into and through said air inlet entryway across the expanse thereof as said transverse fan rotates and to effect a resultant air flow pattern of air from said air outlet across the expanse thereof, said resultant air flow pattern from said air outlet across the expanse thereof being dependent, in part, upon the pattern of air flow from said air inlet into said air inlet entryway across the expanse thereof, a supplementary air feed inlet including an air chamber open at least one location to a source of supplemental air and having an aperture at least one other location along said air chamber open to said air inlet of said air plenum at a given location along the expanse thereof, rotation of said transverse fan about said axis of rotation thereby drawing air from said source of supplemental air into and through said air chamber to said aperture in said air chamber and therethrough for introduction into said air inlet and said air pathway therethrough at the location of said aperture, said introduction of said supplemental air into said air inlet and said air pathway therethrough at the location of said aperture producing an increased volume of air flow into said air inlet entryway near said location of said aperture across the expanse thereof, said increased volume of air flow into said air inlet entryway near said location of said aperture across the expanse thereof effecting a resultant air flow pattern across the expanse of the air outlet that differs from the resultant air flow pattern that would otherwise be realized across the expanse of the air outlet in the absence of said increased volume of air flow in the air pathway in said air inlet, wherein said supplementary air feed inlet includes an elongated chamber extending generally across said air plenum adjacent said air inlet, wherein said elongated chamber of said supplementary air feed inlet includes opposed ends open to supplemental air, wherein said elongated chamber includes a first side extending generally adjacent to said air inlet, said first side including first and second separation members extending inwardly towards one another from said opposed open ends and an opening between said first and second members along said first side, said opening permitting the passage of air therethrough from said elongated chamber to said air inlet, whereby a desired air flow pattern across the expanse of the air outlet is realizable by providing supplementary air from said supplementary air feed inlet to said air inlet to effect an infill of air flow into the air flow pathway to said transverse fan near said aperture along said air chamber of said supplementary air feed inlet.