Abstract:
An electrical fan includes an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track. A wireless receiver includes switching controls and an adaptor configured to mechanically couple the receiver to a voltage supply track of a track lighting system. A wireless transmitter and receiver are used control a fan mounted on a voltage supply track.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    This description relates to air circulation using a fan.  
           [0002]    Conventional ceiling fans are typically not suitable for small rooms or rooms with low ceilings and often require special installation and wiring.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    In general, in one aspect, the invention features, apparatus comprising an electrical fan that includes an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track.  
           [0004]    Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The adaptor is configured to permit the direction in which the fan circulates air to be adjusted relative to the track. The adaptor is configured to permit the electrical fan to be slid along the length of the track. The adaptor includes conductors that are connected between power terminals of the fan and contacts configured to touch the voltage conductors of the track. The adaptor is configured to be coupled selectively to either one of at least two circuits formed by the voltage conductors of the voltage supply track. At least one of the conductors of the adaptor is split and the split ends of the conductor are made available for connection of an external switching control for controlling the connection and disconnection of the split ends. At least two of the conductors of the adaptor are split and the split ends of each of the conductors are made available for connection of an external switching control for controlling the connection and disconnection of the split ends. The split ends are made available at screw terminals on an exterior of the adaptor.  
           [0005]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features apparatus comprising an electrical fan that includes an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track, the adaptor including conductors that are connected between power terminals of the fan and contacts configured to touch the voltage conductors of the track, the adaptor being configured to permit the direction in which the fan circulates air to be adjusted relative to the track, at least two of the conductors of the adaptor being split and the split ends of each of the conductors being made available for connection of an external switching control for controlling the connection and disconnection of the split ends.  
           [0006]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features apparatus comprising a section of a voltage supply track, and an electrical fan that includes an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track.  
           [0007]    Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. A lighting fixture is included that has an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to the voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track. The voltage supply track includes two power circuits, and the adaptor of the lighting fixture and the adaptor of the electrical fan are connected respectively to the two power circuits.  
           [0008]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus comprising a wireless receiver comprising switching controls, and an adaptor configured to mechanically couple the receiver to a voltage supply track of a track lighting system.  
           [0009]    Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. Conductors connect to control terminals of lighting or fan devices mounted on the track. The switching controls are configured to independently control two different sets of devices. The apparatus also includes a section of the voltage supply track, a lighting fixture or a fan mounted on the track, and connections between the wireless receiver for controlling the lighting fixture or the fan. At least one lighting fixture and at least one fan are mounted on the track and are respectively controlled independently by the receiver. The connections wire at least two of the lighting fixtures or the fans in series with the receiver.  
           [0010]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus comprising a package configured for sale in consumer commerce and containing an electrical fan that includes an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track, and a section of the voltage supply track.  
           [0011]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus comprising a space to be ventilated, a voltage supply track, and an electrical fan that includes an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track.  
           [0012]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method comprising incorporating an electrical fan with an adaptor configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track.  
           [0013]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method comprising inserting an adaptor of an electrical fan into a voltage supply track, the adaptor being configured to be coupled mechanically to a voltage supply track mounted on a wall or ceiling of an enclosed space and to be coupled electrically to voltage conductors of the voltage supply track.  
           [0014]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method comprising incorporating a wireless receiver with an adaptor configured to mechanically couple the receiver to a voltage supply track of a track lighting system.  
           [0015]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method comprising using a wireless transmitter and receiver to control a fan mounted on a voltage supply track. In implementations, the method may also include using the transmitter and receiver to control a lighting fixture mounted on the voltage supply track independently of the control of the fan.  
           [0016]    Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and from the claims. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fan assembly and track connector.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fan assembly.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fan assembly and track connector connected to a track.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical supply track and an exploded view of a track connector.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a track fan and track light fixture connected to a track.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a dual circuit track adapter  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a dual circuit electrical supply track  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dual circuit electrical supply track.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a track fan.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a front-and-back perspective view of a wiring adapter  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a wiring adapter.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a track adapter.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a remote control transmitter and receiver.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a wiring diagram of connections between a remote control receiver and track adapters.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a track fan.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a room. 
     
    
       [0033]    As shown in room  16 , by mounting a fan  1  on (and connecting it electrically to) an electrical supply track, for example, a track  21  of a conventional track lighting system, air can be circulated in a a room of any size or ceiling height. No additional special wiring is needed. Operation of the fan can be controlled remotely through a transmitter  78  held by a user and a receiver  79  associated with the track.  
         [0034]    The track fan has a variety of benefits. When mounted on a track lighting system, the track fan provides similar functionality to that provided by a conventional ceiling fan, for example, room ventilation, air circulation, and lighting. The track fan provides significant advantages over a conventional ceiling fan. For example, the track fan can be installed in existing track systems without further wiring. The track fan can be attached to tracks on the ceiling or on a wall. The track fan does not have to be positioned in the center of the room. Multiple track fans can be attached to a track and pointed in different directions to maximize air circulation (or control air circulation in a particular pattern). The track fans can be removed when not needed by detaching the fans from the track. Track fans can be manufactured in a variety of styles and materials to match track light fixtures in order to provide a complete visually appealing fan and light combination. Track fans can be used on tracks without light fixtures where lighting is not required, for example, if a room already has a ceiling mounted overhead light fixture.  
         [0035]    The following description and figures illustrate the details of several implementations of fans, fan and track combinations, and track adapters. A wide variety of other implementations of fans, adapters, remote control devices, tracks, and light fixtures and combinations of them are also possible.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a track fan  1 . The track fan in this example has a fan assembly similar to many standard electric fans, in particular the fan described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,340. Referring also to FIG. 2, the fan assembly  19  includes a fan motor  2  and a cylindrical housing  3  made from, e.g., metal or plastic. The fan motor  2  is inserted into the cylindrical housing  3  such that the face of the fan motor is flush with the front rim of the housing  3  and the spindle  4  of the fan motor extends to the left away from the housing  3 . The fan motor  2  is attached to the housing using a bracket, not shown. The fan motor spindle  4  is inserted through a hole  5  in the center of a rear parabolic safety cage piece  6 . The rear safety cage piece  6  is attached to the face of the fan motor using screws. A fan blade  7  is attached to the fan motor spindle  4 . A parabolic front safety cage piece  8  is attached to the rear safety cage  6 , enclosing the fan blade  7  within both safety cage pieces to prevent contact with the fan blade while the fan blade is in motion. The fan blade  7  spins freely within the safety cage and is rotated by the spindle  4  of the fan motor  2 . Instead of being mounted to a base as is the fan in U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,340, the fan assembly  19  is connected to a bracket  9 . The bracket  9  has two sides  10  with holes at the end of each side and a top  11  with a hole in its center. The bracket  9  is connected to the sides of the cylindrical housing  3  using pins  12  that are inserted through the holes in the sides  11  of the bracket  9  and through holes in the sides of the cylindrical housing  3 . The bracket is attached with the pins such that the fan assembly  19  can be pivoted up and down with the pins as the pivot point. A peg  13  is inserted up through the hole in the top  11  of the bracket  9  and connects to a track adapter  14  (FIG. 1) using a nut  15 . The peg  13  is hollow to allow wires to run from the track adapter  14 , through the center of peg  13 , and through a hole in the top of the cylindrical case  3  of the fan assembly as shown in FIG. 3. The peg  13  is connected to the bracket  9  such that the fan assembly can rotate 360 degrees with the peg as the pivot point. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled track fan and track adapter connected to an electrical supply track  21 . This view also shows how the fan motor  2  is inserted inside the cylindrical housing  3  and how the fan blade  7  is attached to the fan motor spindle  4  and enclosed within the safety cage  16 . The peg  13  is shown inserted through the top of the bracket and connected to a track adapter  14  with a nut  15 . The fan assembly can swivel 360 degrees around the peg  13  and can pivot up and down at the pins  12 .  
         [0037]    Unlike a standard electric fan that is electrically wired to a plug and powered by a wall outlet, the track fan is electrically connected to a track adapter  14  as shown in FIG. 3. Track adapters can be found in a variety of styles and functional configurations that match the various styles of electrical supply tracks that are available. Some common examples of track and adapter configurations include 2-wire, 3-wire, and 2-wire wide. Most track adapters have similar designs and the track fan can be connected to any of these adapters. The following example refers to a 2-wire track adapter and track as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,561. FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,651 shows an exploded view of the track adapter and a perspective view of the track. A modified version of FIG. 2 from U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,651 is represented in FIG. 4 here to show the mechanical and electrical construction of the track adapter  14 . As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,651 and referring to FIG. 4, an adapter and track arrangement  20  comprises a track  21 , and an adapter  14  hung on and moved along the track  21 .  
         [0038]    The track  21  comprises an elongated metal casing  23 , an insulator strip  24 , and two metal conducting strips  25 ,  26 . The insulator strip  24  is inserted into the casing  23 . The metal conducting strips  25 ,  26  are bilaterally inserted into the insulator strip  24  within the casing, and respectively retained between the flat top wall  27  and the inside flanges  28 . The metal conductive strips  25 ,  26  run the length of the track  21 , along opposite interior walls and parallel to each other. These conductive strips form the voltage bus and neutral bus that will supply power to the track adapter  14  and therefore to the fan motor  2 . The conductive strips  25 ,  26  are often wired to a power source that is controlled by a wall switch. An adapter may also be used to connect the conductive strips to a cord that has a standard plug to receive AC power from a standard wall outlet.  
         [0039]    Track adapters are often made of plastic and are usually square in shape with a neck extending out of the top. As shown in FIG. 4 and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,651, the adapter in the example we are discussing includes a first shell  29 , a second shell  30 , a third shell  31 , two electric wires  32 ,  33 , two electrically conductive metal contacts  34 ,  35 , and a latch  36 . The adapter has a hole  37  in the bottom of the shell to receive the peg  13  from the fan assembly  19 . The peg  13  from the fan assembly  19  is fastened to the adapter  14  using a nut  15  as shown in FIG. 3. The first ends of the two electrically conductive metal contacts  34 ,  35  extend out the top of the adapter shell through the neck. The contacts are bent at a 90-degree angle such that the end of one electrical contact points in the opposite direction from the end of the other. The second ends of the metal contacts  34 , 35  extend down through the neck and terminate within the adapter shell. Referring to FIG. 3, the ends of the contacts  34 ,  35  that terminate within the adapter housing are each electrically connected to the first ends of the two electrical wires  32 ,  33  respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the shells are assembled and fastened with a screw  38  such that the electrical connections  39 ,  40  between the electrical contacts  34 ,  35  and the electrical wires  32 ,  33  are enclosed within the shell. The wires run through the hollow opening in the peg  13  and through the hole in the top of the fan assembly  19  as shown in FIG. 3. The second end of one of the wires is connected to the voltage terminal  41  of the fan motor  2 . Similarly, the second end of the other wire is connected to the neutral terminal  42  of the fan motor  2 .  
         [0040]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,651, the track fan is connected to the electrical supply track  21  by inserting the adapter  14  through the gap  90  of the track. The adapter is retained to the inside of the positioning space in the track by flanges  43  on the neck of the track adapter  14 . A 90-degree angle rotation of the adapter enables the electrical contacts  34 ,  35  to be maintained in electrical contact with the metal conducting strips  25 ,  26  respectively. A latch  36  locks into the gap  90  of the track  21  when the adapter  14  is connected to the track. Positive electrical contact is achieved between each metal conducting strip  25 ,  26  and the corresponding contact  34 ,  35 . This contact allows power to be transferred from the conductive strips  25 ,  26  of the track to the electrical contacts  34 ,  35  of the adapter and in turn to the fan motor  2  as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a track fan  1  and track light  44  fixture attached to the same track  21 .  
         [0042]    Other features of typical electric fans could also be incorporated into the track fan. The fan assembly may include a switch to allow on\off and speed control of the fan. The fan assembly may also include a mechanism to cause the fan to oscillate from side to side automatically. The fan may include a heating unit using the principles explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,340.  
         [0043]    When using the track fan with track lighting fixtures on the same track, it may be desirable to control the lights and fans separately. One way to accomplish this may be to fit the fan with a dual circuit track adapter to be used with a dual circuit track. A dual circuit track adapter and track are shown in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,339. FIGS. 1-3 from U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,339 are represented as FIGS. 6-8 here. The construction of the dual circuit track  61  and adapter  62  is similar to the construction of the single circuit track and adapter described above. One difference is that the track has two voltage buses and one of the adapter&#39;s electrically conductive contacts can be positioned at one of two different heights such that it makes contact with one of the two voltage buses of the track.  
         [0044]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,339, brackets  47  define a first pocket on the interior face of the first sidewall  52  of the track. An insulating element  48  resides within the pocket. A conductive metal strip forming a neutral bus  49  is carried by the insulating element  48 . Brackets  50  define a second pocket on the interior face of the opposite sidewall  51 . An insulating element  53  resides within the pocket. Two conductive metal strips forming first and second voltage buses  45 , 46  are carried by the insulating element  53 .  
         [0045]    The adapter consists of three metal contacts. The ground contact  54  is inserted through a slot in the neck  57  and fixed in place such that the horizontal portion of the contact rests on top of the neck. The second end of the ground contact  54  is electrically grounded within the adapter housing  58 . The neutral contact  55  is inserted through a slot in the neck  57  and fixed in place such that the horizontal portion of the contact rests on top of the neck. The second end of the neutral contact  55  terminates within the adapter housing and is connected to an electrical wire. The voltage contact  56  is inserted through a slot in the neck  21  and is fixed in one of two vertical positions and held in place by a holding pin in the neck that inserts into one of the two holes  59 ,  60  in the vertical leg of the contact. The second end of the voltage contact  56  terminates within the adapter housing and is connected to an electrical wire. The voltage contact  56  is not fixed in position and can be moved up and down and held in place at one of two different heights. The second ends of the two electrical wires are connected to the voltage terminal  41  and neutral terminal  42  of the track fan motor  2  respectively as described above and shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0046]    If the track fan is to be connected to the first electrical circuit, the voltage contact is depressed to its lower position. If the track fan is to be connected to the second electrical circuit, the voltage contact is raised to its upper position.  
         [0047]    Since the two voltage busses of the track receive AC power from two independent sources, fixtures with adapters that have the voltage contact set to the low position will run on one power source while fixtures with adapters that have the voltage contact set to the high position will run on the other power source. By setting the voltage contact to one setting for all fans and setting the voltage contact for all lights at the other setting, the fans can be controlled separately from the light fixtures. Using a dimmer switch to control the circuit connected to the fans will also allow control of fan speed.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a track fan with a dual circuit track adapter  62 . This figure also shows an alternate design for the fan assembly. This design has the fan assembly  91  connected to an arm  64  that is connected to the track adapter  62 .  
         [0049]    It may also be desirable to control fans and lights separately on an existing single circuit track system so that installation and wiring of a dual circuit track is not required. Since the single circuit track provides uninterrupted power to all fixtures connected to the track, one could fit the track adapter of the track fan with a wiring adapter to allow the track fans to be wired in series to a remotely controlled switch that is part of the adaptor. To take advantage of this functionality, lighting fixtures on the same track could also include a similar wiring adapter built into the lighting fixture track adapter.  
         [0050]    The switch would need to be incorporated within the track adapter and wired between the electrical contacts and the electrical wires so that the circuit is broken to the fan or light fixture when the switch is off and is engaged only when the switch is engaged.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 10 shows an example of a wiring adapter  65 . In this example, the wiring adapter would allow a three-way electrical connection to each of four electrical contacts in the track adapter  14 . These contacts will be referred to as voltage in  63 , voltage out  66 , neutral in  67 , and neutral out  68 . FIG. 12 shows these connections. FIG. 10 shows a front and back perspective view of a wiring adapter  65 . FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the wiring adapter  65 . Each wiring adapter is constructed using two electrically conductive tubular screw clamps that allow wires to be inserted in either end of the tube  69  and fixed in place with a screw  70 . In this manner, an electrical connection is achieved between the wires connected to either end of the tube  69 . An electrically conductive metal post  71  is connected to the outside of the tube  69  as shown in FIG. 11. Any connection to this post is therefore electrically connected to the two wires that are connected to either end of the tube. This completes the 3-way connection. The electrically conductive metal tubes  69  are enclosed in an insulated housing  72  as shown in FIG. 11 such that the metal posts  71  extend through a hole in the back of the insulated housing  72 . The wiring adapter is attached to the track adapter housing and the metal posts  71  extend into holes in the side of the adapter housing. Each wiring adapter has two connections and each track adapter is fitted with two wiring adapters, one on each side, to allow a connection to all four of the track adapter contacts; voltage in  63 , voltage out  66 , neutral in  67 , and neutral out  68 . FIG. 12 shows a cross-section view of a track adapter  14  that is connected to a track  21  and is fitted with two wiring adapters  65 .  
         [0052]    Many ceiling fans use a remote control unit for light on\off control, fan on\off control, and fan speed control. A typical example of a remote control unit for ceiling fans is manufactured by Hunter Fan Company (Memphis, Tenn., model #27185-060) and is available at popular home improvement stores. The remote control system includes a transmitter and receiver. FIG. 13 shows a sketch of the transmitter  78  and the receiver  79 . The remote control transmitter has buttons for light on\off control  73 , fan on\off control  74 , and fan speed control  75 ,  76 ,  77 . The remote control receiver  79  acts as a switch and has five outgoing wires; live in  80 , neutral in  81 , fan out  82 , light out  83 , and common  84 . The remote control receiver has an antenna  85  to receive the signal from the transmitter  78 . This example shows a modified version of the receiver  79  that includes a non-electrical adapter  88  to allow the receiver to be mounted to a track  21 .  
         [0053]    To complete the wiring of the track fan and light fixtures to the remote control system, the fixtures on the track are wired in series (by this, we do not mean that they are wired in series with the power but rather that they are wired in series for on/off switching purposes) with the remote control receiver switch  79 . The live in wire  80  of the switch  79  is connected to one end of the tubular screw clamp that is connected to the voltage in  63  contact of the first track adapter  86 . One end of a wire is connected to the other end of the screw clamp and the other end of this wire is connected to the first end of the voltage in screw clamp of the next track adapter  87 . This process is repeated until all track adapters have been wired in series at the voltage in contact  63 . This process is repeated for the connection of the switch&#39;s neutral in  81  wire to the neutral in contacts  67  of all fixtures. In similar fashion, the switch&#39;s common wire  84  is connected to the neutral out contacts  68  of all fixtures.  
         [0054]    Using the connection method mentioned above, the fan out wire  82  of the switch  79  is connected to the voltage out contact  66  of only the adapters that are connected to a track fan assembly  1 . The adapters for all track fan assemblies are then wired to each other in series at the voltage out contact  66 . Similarly, the light out wire  83  from the switch  79  is wired to the voltage out contact  66  of the first light fixture adapter and all light fixture adapters are then wired in series at the voltage out contact  66 .  
         [0055]    This wiring scheme as shown in FIG. 14 allows the fans and lights to be wired on separate switch circuits within the remote control receiver. When the transmitter button for light on\off control  73  is pressed, the remote receiver switch completes the connection between the live in  80  and light out  83  connection, thus completing the connection at the fixtures and turning the lights on. Similarly, when the fan on off control  74  button is pressed, the switch completes the circuit between the live in  80  and fan out  82  contacts and allows the fans to be turned on, independently of the light fixtures. The fan speed buttons control the amount of current supplied to the fans through the switch and therefore controls fan speed.  
         [0056]    Using this wiring method allows fans and light fixtures that are equipped with the wiring adapter  65  to be controlled independently without the need to replace existing single circuit tracks with dual circuit tracks. After wiring, the wires would be enclosed in a plastic strip to protect the wires and to provide a uniform appearance with the track.  
         [0057]    This example shows one possible method of connecting the fans in series (for control purposes) to one switch and connecting the lights in series (for control purposes) to a second switch by use of a wiring adapter built into the track adapter as opposed to having two circuits built into the track. This method is intended as one example to demonstrate the concept. Any suitable method of rewiring the track adapters to a switch could accomplish the same functionality.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 15. shows a perspective view of a track fan equipped with a track adapter  14  that is fitted with wiring adapters  65 . FIG. 15 also demonstrates another alternate design for the track fan. In this design, the fan blade  7  is enclosed within the cylindrical housing  3  instead of being outside the housing and enclosed in the parabolic safety cage  16 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a room equipped with track fans  1  and track lights  44  connected to and powered by an electrical supply track  21 . This example shows a remote control receiver  79  attached to the track and a person holding a remote control transmitter  78  used to control the fans  1  and lights  44 .  
         [0060]    Although we have described some implementation examples above, a wide variety of other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.