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Evaporator fan with shroud assembly

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-04-17
SUB-ZERO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Exemplary embodiments provide a fan assembly having a reduced noise level and a reduced assembly time. The fan assembly reduces the number of parts in the assembly by manufacturing the shroud from plastic and integrating a mounting bracket with the shroud thereby eliminating the need to isolate the bracket from the shroud and eliminating a number of the grommets and screws necessary for attaching the fan assembly parts.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the greater the number of parts, the greater the potential for noise and the more time consuming the assembly process may be.

Method used

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  • Evaporator fan with shroud assembly
  • Evaporator fan with shroud assembly
  • Evaporator fan with shroud assembly

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0014]With reference to FIG. 1, a fan assembly 100 includes a mounting bracket 102, an actuator housing 104, a fan mounting frame 106, a fan 108, and a shroud 110. Fan assembly 100 may be mounted for use within a variety of devices. In an exemplary embodiment, fan assembly 100 is mounted adjacent a heat exchanger to circulate heated / cooled air. For example, fan assembly 100 may be mounted adjacent an evaporator in a refrigerator for circulation of cooled air. As used in this disclosure, the term “mount” includes join, unite, connect, associate, insert, hang, hold, affix, attach, fasten, bind, paste, secure, bolt, screw, rivet, solder, weld, and other like terms.

[0015]With reference to FIG. 2, an exploded view of fan assembly 100 is provided. Mounting bracket 102 may include a body 200, a first mounting arm 202, and a second mounting arm 204. First mounting arm 202 extends from a first end of body 200. Second mounting arm 204 extends from a second end of body 200 opposite the first e...

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PUM

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Abstract

A shroud for mounting a fan is provided. The shroud may include a plate, a hub, a first leg, and a second leg. The plate may include an aperture edge of an aperture in a surface of the plate. The hub includes a bore defining an axis of rotation of a fan. The first leg and the second leg are mounted to and extend between the hub and the aperture edge. The first leg includes a first leg portion having a first curve shape in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The second leg may include a second leg portion having a second curve shape in the plane. The first curve shape may be an arc of a circle. A fan housing may include the shroud, an actuator to effect rotation of the fan, and a mounting bracket, which mounts the actuator to the shroud.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject of the disclosure relates generally to the field of fans. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a shroud assembly for a fan.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]An evaporator fan assembly generally is provided in an evaporator compartment of a refrigerator or a freezer to circulate cooled air through the storage compartment. A typical evaporator fan assembly may include a number of parts some or all of which may be fabricated of metal. The parts may include a shroud, a fan, a motor, and one or more mounting brackets and attachment parts for forming the fan assembly. Because refrigerator / freezers are generally located in a house or other structure, it is preferable that the noise level be minimized. To reduce the noise created by the fan assembly, each of the parts should be isolated from the others. Additionally, the greater the number of parts, the greater the potential for noise and the more time consuming the assembly process may be. Thu...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F25B21/02
CPCF04D29/526F25D2317/0681F25D23/006F04D29/646
Inventor MCCAIN, PAUL BRIANMASHAW, RONALD A.
Owner SUB-ZERO
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