Patent ID: 8322998

Claim:
A serial axial fan comprising: a first axial fan including a first base portion, a first motor portion supported by the first base portion, a first impeller including a plurality of first blades, a first housing arranged to enclose an outer circumference of the first impeller, and a plurality of first support ribs arranged to connect the first base portion to the first housing; and a second axial fan including a second base portion, a second motor portion supported by the second base portion, a second impeller including a plurality of second blades, a second housing arranged to enclose an outer circumference of the second impeller, and a plurality of second support ribs arranged to connect the second base portion to the second housing; wherein the first axial fan and the second axial fan are coupled to each other such that the first and second base portions either contact one another or are adjacent to each other but not in contact with one another; a first portion of each of the first support ribs on a side of the first impeller is positioned within the first housing, and a second portion of each of the first support ribs on a side of the second impeller is positioned within the second housing; and a first portion of each of the second support ribs on the second impeller side is positioned within the second housing, and a portion of each of the second support ribs on the first impeller side is positioned within the first housing.