Generator and fan

Abstract

An improved generator fan serves to draw air into the generator through an inlet in the generator housing, pass the air through the rotor and stator, and direct the air out openings in the generator housing. The fan of the present invention includes a disc and at least one multi-directional blade extending from the disc. The multi-direction blade includes a leading segment extending from the disc between a first radius measured from the axis of rotation and a second radius, the leading segment including a leading edge extending from the disc at an angle of about ninety degrees from the disc, the leading segment extending from the disc with an increasing angle along the length of the leading segment; and a trailing segment extending from the disc between the second radius and a third radius measured from the axis of rotation, the third radius being greater than the second radius and the trailing segment extending from the disc with an angle having a rate of change different than the leading segment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an improved generator and fan. More specifically, the invention provides a generator utilizing an improved rotor fan. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Without a generator, the electrical load of a vehicle would quickly drain a fully charged battery. In a vehicle, a generator producing alternating current (AC), known as an alternator, is often mounted at the front of the engine and is linked to the engine crankshaft pulley by a drive belt. When the engine turns the drive belt, the drive belt turns a shaft in the alternator, and current is generated. Current is produced in an alternator when a wire intercepts a magnetic field. In an alternator, it is the wire, in coiled form, that is held stationary and the magnetic field is turned so that the magnetic field passes through the wire. Thus, alternators include a stationary part, the stator, and a rotating part, the rotor. [0003] The stator may include stationary coils or slotted ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an improved generator with better sound quality and reduced noise levels. It also has improved airflow through the generator, which helps to cool the components. The generator fan is designed to draw air into the generator, pass it through the rotor and stator, and direct it out of the generator. The fan has a disc with a multi-directional blade that extends from it. The blade has a leading segment and a trailing segment with different angles of rotation. The resulting generator has better tonality and reduced noise levels, and it also provides improved cooling.

Problems solved by technology

Without a generator, the electrical load of a vehicle would quickly drain a fully charged battery.

As the rotor is turned, air flow within the assembly will produce noise in the audible range that will emanate from the alternator assembly.

Rotation of the fan helps increase airflow within the alternator and helps to reduce heat within the alternator, but also increases the amount of audible noise emanating from the alternator assembly, an undesirable feature particularly from the point of view of the operator of the vehicle in which the alternator is mounted.

Alternator fans with straight fan blades having an inside angle of more than ninety degrees from the base of the fan, tend to produce less noise, but undesirably also provide less airflow.

Alternator fans with straight fan blades at ninety degrees from the base of the fan produce more airflow, but undesirably more noise.

To improve the airflow resulting from a fan with swept out blades, the length of the blade can be increased but this undesirably reduces the number of blades that can be included on a single fan.

However, the limitations associated with each type of blade are not entirely overcome by known designs.

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