Abstract:
A vectorized jet fan device for ventilation which is capable of directing high speed air stream discharged from the fan by a small angle at a higher flow speed for the primary purposes of efficiently meeting and utilizing space clearance and improving aerodynamic performance. The inventive device includes a splitter, through which an end silencer and a silencer is securely connected to the end of a fan. The splitter is formed so that the end silencer of a smaller diameter than the silencer can be fittingly engaged at a small degree of angle from the longitudinal axis of the fan.

Description:
In accordance with 37 CFR 1.71(e), a portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to jet fan devices and more specifically it relates to a vectorized jet fan device for providing a jet fan which is capable of being utilized as a ventilation fan device for turning the flow of airstream from the fan by a small angle and increasing the airstream velocity through a smaller diameter silencer for efficiently meeting and utilizing space clearance and improving aerodynamic and ventilation performance. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Jet fan devices have been in use for years. Typically, conventional jet fan devices are tubular in shape. Such a jet fan device generally consists of a fan-motor unit, for which the nominal diameter and typical length of the fan housing is represented by “D”, and on each end of the fan housing, there is a tubular “silencer” that is used to reduce the aerodynamic noise from the high speed air flow from the fan. The length of the silencer generally varies and is typically 2D. The interior diameter of the silencers and fan housing are generally the same and through which air is drawn in from one end and discharged towards the other end. The “silencer-fan-silencer” jet fan device therefore forms a straight-through flow device, which is typically installed using a jet fan support system including hang from the ceiling, attach to the sidewalls or the ground. This device is generally used for space ventilation and control of fire and smoke, particularly for vehicular tunnels. 
     While conventional jet fan devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, the main problems of using these devices are installation space clearance and aerodynamic performance. As most often there is limited space for installation of these devices, which limits the diameter of the fan that can be used. And usually the jet fan devices are installed close to the wall, where for the high speed flow of the air stream discharged from the device, the flow speed may be as high as 6,000 to 8,000 feet per minute. The proximity of this air stream to the wall generally causes extra friction losses at the wall, which then may significantly reduce the aerodynamic performance. 
     One approach to address these problems for conventional jet fan devices is a special design configuration of a niche at the structural wall, where the surface of the wall for jet fan installation has to be recessed by a certain distance, so as to satisfy installation space clearance. The transition from the recessed surface is typically an inclined surface of a small degree of angle, generally extending for an extended distance from either end of the jet fan device. The cost of labor for constructing and maintaining the niche space such as for cleaning of debris can be very expensive. 
     To our knowledge there are no examples of US patents on jet fan devices that fully address both problems of installation space clearance and aerodynamic performance. The only illustrative example of prior art is German Patent No. 1050684 to Witt, which discloses a jet fan device with a customized slanted silencer attached to the fan. The silencer and so its airway is inclined at a small angle, typically 7 degrees from the fan housing centerline, so that the discharged air stream is directed away from the wall surfaces, which has shown convincing proofs of advantageous aerodynamic performance from a number of field testing in vehicular tunnels ( 4 ). It was claimed that 25-50% reduction in losses could be achieved as opposed to using conventional jet fan devices. Due to the slanted silencer design, the installation space of such devices, however, is generally larger than conventional jet fan devices. 
     In these respects, the vectorized jet fan according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional devices and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a device primarily developed for the purposes of efficiently meeting and utilizing space clearance, and improving aerodynamic performance. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing problems inherent in the conventional jet fan devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new vectorized jet fan device which can be utilized for efficiently meeting and utilizing space clearance, and improving aerodynamic performance. 
     The present invention generally comprises typical components of conventional jet fan devices mentioned heretofore, and an additional component, which is referred to as “splitter”, is used as a transition piece. The splitter could be used at any position downstream of the fan housing, and in doing so, it would be necessary that the silencer that is used in conventional jet fan devices be separated into two pieces. Hence, for vectorized jet fan devices, it may be pertinently regarded and outlined as “silencer-splitter-silencer-fan-silencer-splitter-silencer”, in which the silencer at each end is hereafter referred to as “end silencer”. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vectorized jet fan device that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide a vectorized jet fan device that provides greater flexibility in different combinations of the fan housing diameter and the end silencer diameter. 
     Another object is to provide a vectorized jet fan device that is approximately the same weight as a conventional jet fan device of similar geometric dimensions. 
     Another object is to provide a vectorized jet fan device that potentially allows the air discharged from the fan to be directed, in small degree of angle from the centerline of fan housing, towards any radial direction. 
     Another object is to provide a vectorized jet fan device that potentially allows the air discharged from the fan to increase its flow speed, because of the reduction in cross sectional area of the splitter and the same for the end silencer. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a separate component of jet fan support system for attachment and installation, as may be attained using the splitter, which can be replaced without affecting other components of the vectorized jet fan device. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. As the vectorized jet fan devices are generally tubular in shape, it is perceived that side view would be sufficient to illustrate the features of the present invention, though an exploded view is included. These features are presented in increasing order of complexity that the present invention is intended to accomplish, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view a vectorized jet fan device in which the splitter is used to only direct the direction of the discharged airflow by a small degree of angle from the centerline of fan housing. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a vectorized jet fan device in which the splitter is used to only reduce the diameter of end silencer. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a vectorized jet fan device in which the splitter is used to accomplish both functions as described in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of the present invention of vectorized jet fan device. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded view of a typical splitter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
     Various embodiments of the invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures. Indeed, the features of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. 
     The present invention of vectorized jet fan, generally outlined as “silencer-splitter-silencer-fan-silencer-splitter-silencer”, which may be considered as essential components and because they are generally tubular in shape, the use of “centerline” refers to geometric longitudinal axis, which are used interchangeably herein. The features of the invention is illustrated through the selected different construction forms of the splitter, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 4  may be considered as a general description of the present invention. The materials of such type, dimension, and construction for all components, and their secure attachment to one another as shown herein shall preferably follow present fan industry practice and standards. These figures are described separately as follows. 
     B. FIG.  1   
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view a vectorized jet fan device in which the splitter is used to only direct the direction of the discharged airflow by a small degree of angle from the centerline of fan housing. The centerline of the end silencer  20  is at a small degree of angle from the centerline of the fan housing  60 . The end silencer  20  is securely attached to one end of the splitter  80 , which is preferably of much shorter length, and the other end of the splitter  80  is securely attached to one end of the silencer  40 , and the other end of the silencer  40  is securely attached preferably in the same manner to the fan housing  60 . One the right side of the fan housing  60 , it comprises the silencer  41 , the splitter  81 , and the end silencer  21 , which are securely attached and assembled together preferably in the same manner as the components on the left side of the fan housing  60 . 
     Generally it is not necessary that the lengths of the silencers  20 ,  40 ,  41 ,  21 , are all the same but standard tubular silencer product is preferably to be used, and the interior diameters of the silencers  20 ,  40 ,  41 ,  21 , are preferably the same as that of the splitter  80  and  81 , and the fan housing  60 . It is also not necessary to include both of the two splitters  80  and  81  as shown in  FIG. 1 , if the airflow to be generated by the jet fan device is intended for one direction only.  FIG. 1  illustrates the limit line of space clearance as preferably delimited by the lowest point of the end silencer  20  or the end silencer  21 , whichever extends the furthest from the centerline of the fan housing  60 . 
     C. FIG.  2   
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a vectorized jet fan device in which the splitter is used to only reduce the diameter of end silencer, which is to be accompanied by an increase in the flow speed of the discharged airflow. On the left side of the fan housing  61 , the end silencer  22  is securely attached to the end of the splitter  82 , and the other end of the splitter  82  is securely attached to the silencer  42 , which is securely attached on the end to the fan housing  61 . One the right side of the fan housing  61 , it comprises the silencer  43 , the splitter  83 , and the end silencer  23 , which are securely attached and assembled together preferably in the same manner as the components on the left side of the fan housing  61 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , there is a reduction in the cross sectional area of the splitter  82  and  83 , so that the end silencer  22  and the end silencer  23 , which has smaller diameters than those of the silencers  42  and  43 , can be used. In this particular configuration, the interior diameters of the silencer  42 , the silencer  43 , and the fan housing  61  are preferably the same, and the interior diameters of the end silencer  22  and the end silencer  23  are preferably smaller; and the centerlines of the end silencer  22  and  23  are preferably to be in parallel with the centerline of the fan housing  61 . It is also not necessary to include both of the two splitters  82  and  83  as shown in  FIG. 2 , if the airflow to be generated by the jet fan device is intended for one direction only. The general alignment of the end silencer  22  and the end silencer  23  and so the same for the splitter  82  and the splitter  83 , shall preferably be such that they stay within the limit line of space clearance as noted in  FIG. 2 . 
     D. FIG.  3   
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a vectorized jet fan device in which the splitter is used to accomplish both functions as described in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , on the left side of the fan housing  63 , the end silencer  26  is securely attached to one end of the splitter  86 , and the other end of the splitter  86  is securely attached to the silencer  46 , the other end of which is securely attached to the fan housing  63 . One the right side of the fan housing  63 , it comprises the silencer  47 , the splitter  87 , and the end silencer  27 , which are securely attached and assembled together preferably in the same manner as the components on the left side of the fan housing  63 . 
     In this particular configuration, the centerline of the end silencer  26  and  27  is at a small degree of angle from the centerline of the fan housing  63 . The interior diameters of the end silencers  26  and  27  are also smaller than the interior diameters of the silencers  46  and  47 . The general alignment of these components shall preferably be such that they stay within the limit line of space clearance as noted in  FIG. 3 . If the airflow to be generated by the jet fan device is intended for both directions, it would be necessary to include both of the two splitters  86  and  87 , and preferably their geometry features including lengths and interior diameters are the same. 
     E. FIG.  4   
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of the present invention of vectorized jet fan device. On the left side of the fan housing  62 , the end silencer  24  is securely attached to one end of the splitter  84 , and the other end of the splitter  84  is securely attached to the silencer  44 , which is securely attached on the end to the fan housing  62 . One the right side of the fan housing  62 , it comprises the silencer  45 , the splitter  85 , and the end silencer  25 , which are securely attached and assembled together preferably in the same manner as the components on the left side of the fan housing  62 . 
     In this particular configuration, the centerline of the end silencer  24  and  25  is at a small degree of angle from the centerline of the fan housing  62 . The interior diameters of the end silencers  24  and  25  are also smaller than the interior diameters of the silencers  44  and  45 . The general alignment of these components shall preferably be such that they stay within the limit line of space clearance as noted in  FIG. 4A . If the airflow to be generated by the jet fan device is intended for one direction only, it is not necessary to include both of the two splitters  84  and  85 , and it is also not necessary in general that the lengths of the silencers  44  and  45 , and the end silencers  24  and  25  are all the same, but generally standard tubular silencer product is preferably to be used. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded view of a typical splitter. The splitter  84  is preferably tubular in shape, but not necessarily of a uniform interior diameter and the two flanged ends not necessarily in parallel. Each flange shall preferably consist of a plurality of bolting holes or other means known in the art, which could be used for secure attachment of the splitter  84  to the silencer  44  and the end silencer  24 . 
     As can be appreciated, various configurations may be utilized to construct the splitter  84 , and as have shown from  FIGS. 1-4 , it can be noted that its primary functions are: (a) direct airflow from the jet fan device away from solid boundaries near the fan, and towards the centerline or desired direction for the ventilated space, primarily for improving aerodynamic performance, or (b) reduce the internal cross sectional area, allowing for the use of a smaller diameter end silencer, primarily for efficiently meeting and utilizing space clearance, or (c) both of the above (a) and (b). 
     The splitter  84  could be part of the jet fan support system, thereby possibly minimizing certain manufacturing necessities for the silencers used in conventional jet fan devices. The splitter  84  between the silencer  44  and the end silencer  24  should be customizable by rotating its position in the transverse plane, therefore, it may be regarded that the direction and the speed of the airflow discharged from the present invention of the jet fan device as shown in  FIG. 4A  can be vectorized and customizable, likely with no impact on space clearance and with improved aerodynamic performance. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the present invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.