Vehicle fan mounting assembly

Abstract

A fan mounting assembly (202) includes a duct (204) and an axial fan assembly (100). The duct is disposed on a vehicle (200) and is configured to accommodate an airflow (604) supplied to or received from an interior cabin (206) of the vehicle. The axial fan assembly is configured to propel airflow through the duct. The axial fan assembly includes a housing (102), a motor assembly (106), and an impeller (104). A housing surrounds the impeller and motor assembly and is mounted to the conduit. The impeller includes a hub (110) and a plurality of blades (112) mounted on the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape and forms a ring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a fan mounting assembly for air distribution on a vehicle, such as an aircraft. Background Art

[0002] Some vehicles include a low-pressure axial fan that drives a conditioned airflow throughout one or more interior compartments of the vehicle. Axial fans commonly used in these vehicle air distribution applications generate a significant amount of noise in the interior compartments. Conventional axial fans have conventional airfoil blades, such as shark fin-like blades. The noise generated by the fan can be objectionable to both passengers and crew. For example, the frequency of the noise generated by the fan may be in a range sensitive to human hearing. In addition, the noise generated by the fan can combine with engine noise and other noises, resulting in an excessive accumulation of noise in the interior compartments. The excessive accumulation of noise may impede the ability of passengers and crew to communicate reliably, which hinders the ability to maintain a safe, operable, and comfortable space in the interior compartments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] There is a need for a fan mounting assembly for such a vehicle that drives a conditioned airflow throughout one or more interior compartments of the vehicle and that generates less noise and / or generates noise at frequencies less sensitive to human hearing compared to known low-pressure axial fan assemblies.

[0004] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan mounting assembly that includes a duct and an axial fan assembly. The duct is disposed on a vehicle and configured to receive an airflow supplied to an interior compartment of the vehicle or an airflow received from an interior compartment of the vehicle. The axial fan assembly is configured to drive the airflow through the duct. The axial fan assembly includes a housing, a motor assembly, and an impeller. The housing surrounds the impeller and the motor assembly and is mounted to the duct. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades mounted on the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape and forms a ring.

[0005] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aircraft that includes an air distribution system. The air distribution system has a duct and an axial fan assembly. The duct is configured to receive an airflow supplied to an interior compartment of the aircraft or an airflow received from an interior compartment of the aircraft. The axial fan assembly is configured to drive the airflow through the duct. The axial fan assembly includes a motor assembly, an impeller, and a housing. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades mounted on the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape that forms a ring. The housing is mounted to the duct and surrounds the impeller and the motor assembly.

[0006] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan mounting assembly that includes a duct and an axial flow fan assembly. The duct is disposed on a vehicle and configured to receive an airflow supplied to an interior compartment of the vehicle or an airflow received from the interior compartment of the vehicle. The axial flow fan assembly is configured to push the airflow through the duct. The axial flow fan assembly includes a housing, a motor assembly, and an impeller. The housing defines a cavity that is fluidly connected to an interior volume of the duct. The impeller and the motor assembly are disposed within the cavity. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades mounted on the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape and forms a ring. Each of the plurality of blades includes a first airfoil section mounted to the hub, a second airfoil section mounted to the hub, and an end section connecting the first airfoil section and the second airfoil section. The housing defines an annular raised channel that is configured to receive a captured flow in the airflow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals always represent like parts, and in which:

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an axial flow fan assembly according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle including a fan mounting assembly according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 is a front elevational view of an impeller of an axial flow fan assembly according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a perspective view of the impeller shown in

[0012] Figure 5 is a side view of a fan mounting assembly according to an embodiment, in which the duct and the housing are shown in cross-section.

[0013] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a fan mounting assembly according to a second embodiment including a variant housing.

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an aircraft.

[0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an impeller of a fan mounting assembly according to another embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a method of assembling a fan mounting assembly according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The foregoing Summary of the Invention and the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word "a" or "an" should not necessarily be construed to exclude a plurality of elements or steps. Further, a reference to "one embodiment" is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of other embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Additionally, unless expressly stated to the contrary, an embodiment that includes one or more elements having a particular feature may include other elements not having that feature.

[0018] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan mounting assembly. The fan mounting assembly may be implemented on a vehicle such as an aircraft. The fan mounting assembly is for pushing air flow through a duct. The air flow pushed by the fan mounting assembly may be supplied to an interior compartment of the vehicle or may receive air flow from the interior compartment of the vehicle. For example, the air flow may be conditioned air supplied to the interior compartment for the comfort of passengers and / or crew in the interior compartment. The duct may be part of an air distribution system on the vehicle. The fan mounting assembly includes an axial fan assembly. The axial fan assembly may be mounted in or to the duct to push air flow through the duct.

[0019] The axial fan assembly includes an impeller having a hub and a plurality of blades mounted on the hub. The blades of the axial fan assembly are annular blades. Each of the plurality of annular blades has an annular shape forming a ring. For example, the annular blade has a body having a first end connected to the hub and a second end. The body wraps around from the first end to the second end along the length of the body. The body defines an opening that is laterally located between a first airfoil section of the blade and a second airfoil section of the blade. The opening may extend radially from the hub to an end section of the blade connecting the first airfoil section and the second airfoil section. The annular blade may be twisted along the length of the body.

[0020] The fan mounting assembly described herein includes an axial fan assembly having an annular blade for pushing air flow through an air distribution system. The axial fan assembly can push air flow to an interior cabin and / or return it to an air conditioning system. The fan mounting assembly can have several beneficial technical effects. The toroidal fan blade design shape can reduce the generation of broadband noise relative to a conventional low-pressure axial fan. For example, the annular blade design can reduce the generation of broadband noise by reducing vortex shedding turbulence. Compared with conventional finned rotor blades, the annular blade can cause air to shed from the blade more smoothly, thereby reducing the slip from the tip vortices. The reduced interior cabin noise can provide the benefit of improved comfort experienced by passengers and crew of a vehicle implementing the fan mounting assembly. For example, a quieter cabin can be perceived as more pleasant and can also enable more reliable communication between passengers and crew. In addition, the axial fan assembly with an annular blade described herein can generate noise in a frequency range that is more acceptable to human hearing than a conventional axial fan. For example, the axial fan assembly described herein can generate noise at a lower frequency than a conventional axial fan.

[0021] The toroidal fan blade design can provide higher efficiency than a conventional axial fan because the annular blade can increase the speed of air passing through a duct. The increased efficiency of the axial fan assembly can allow for efficiency improvements in several vehicles. For example, the axial fan assembly can allow for reduced power consumption, which saves energy. In another example, the axial fan assembly can have a reduced size and / or weight relative to a conventional axial fan without reducing the output, which can save energy and / or save space on the vehicle by saving weight. In addition, various design aspects of the fan mounting assembly can be adjusted to meet certain requirements, constraints, or user-defined goals such as those related to noise, power consumption, pressure rise, flow velocity, etc., while still maintaining broadband noise reduction relative to known low-pressure axial fans.

[0022] In one or more examples described herein, the fan mounting assembly is installed in a vehicle. The vehicle including the fan mounting assembly can be an aircraft. In an example, the aircraft can be a commercial airliner. The fan mounting assembly can also be implemented in other types of aircraft and even in non-aircraft vehicles. Other types of aircraft can include electric aircraft, autonomous aircraft, etc. Other suitable types of vehicles using the fan mounting assembly can include rail vehicles (e.g., locomotives), cars, trucks, buses, mining vehicles, agricultural vehicles, etc. In addition, the fan mounting assembly described herein can be installed in a fixed building. For example, the fan mounting assembly can be part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building.

[0023] Now referring to the drawings,Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an axial fan assembly 100 according to an embodiment. The axial fan assembly 100 includes a housing 102, an impeller 104, and a motor assembly 106. The housing 102 surrounds the impeller 104 and the motor assembly 106. For example, the housing 102 defines a cavity 108 for receiving and guiding an air flow through the housing 102. The impeller 104 and the motor assembly 106 may be located within the cavity 108 and exposed to the air flow. The housing 102 also provides safety and reduces the risk of damage to the impeller 104 by blocking external objects from contacting the impeller 104 during operation. The impeller 104 includes a hub 110 and a plurality of blades 112 mounted on the hub 110. The blades 112 are circumferentially spaced apart along the perimeter of the hub 110. The impeller 104 (e.g., the hub 110 and the blades 112) is designed to rotate about a hub axis 114 extending through the center of the hub 110. The impeller 104 has seven blades 112 in the illustrated example, but may have more than seven blades 112 or less than seven blades 112 in other examples. The blades 112 may be evenly spaced apart around the perimeter of the hub 110 for uniformly pushing the air flow.

[0024] The blades 112 have an annular shape and form corresponding rings extending from the hub 110. For example, each blade 112 has a first vane section 116 mounted to the hub 110, a second vane section 118 mounted to the hub 110, and a tip section 120 connecting the first and second vane sections 116, 118. The tip section 120 forms the distal end of the blade 112 that is furthest from the hub 110. The blades 112 are looped such that the first vane section 116, the tip section 120, and the second vane section 118 define an opening 122 through the thickness of the blade 112. The opening 122 may be radially elongated, extending from the hub 110 to the tip section 120. The ring may be a closed ring. For example, the opening may be laterally closed between the first and second vane sections 116, 118 and radially closed between the hub 110 and the tip section 120.

[0025] The annular shape of the blades 112 may produce significantly less noise than an axial fan having a conventional rotor (e.g., a fin-shaped or blade-shaped rotor) at least within the audible frequency range perceptible to humans. For example, the axial fan assembly 100 may be significantly quieter than a conventional axial fan between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. For example, the annular blade design may distribute the vortices generated by the impeller 104 along the entire radial length of the blades 112 rather than only at the tips, which attenuates the generated noise. The axial fan assembly 100 may produce comparable and / or increased fluid thrust relative to a conventional propeller.

[0026] The impeller 104 is driven by the motor assembly 106 to rotate to push air flow through the housing 102. The impeller 104 can push the air flow in a guiding direction parallel to the hub axis 114 (e.g., along which the blades 112 rotate). The axial flow fan assembly 100 can be a low-pressure fan. For example, the axial flow fan assembly 100 may not compress air to a pressure level that can be used to generate thrust for propelling a vehicle. In an example, the axial flow fan assembly 100 is used to circulate air in one or more interior compartments of a vehicle.

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle 200 including a fan mounting assembly 202 according to an embodiment. In the illustrated example, the vehicle 200 has two fan mounting assemblies 202A, 202B, but in other examples may have only one or three or more fan mounting assemblies 202. Each fan mounting assembly 202 includes a duct 204 disposed on the vehicle 200 and the axial flow fan assembly 100, as Figure 1 shown. The duct 204 houses the air flow supplied to or received from the interior compartment 206 of the vehicle 200. Figure 2 The interior compartment 206 in

[0028] includes seats 208 for passengers and / or crew of the vehicle 200.

[0029] In an example, the duct 204A of the first fan mounting assembly 202A is an outlet duct 204A that supplies conditioned air flow from the AC system 212 toward the interior compartment 206. The duct 204B of the second fan mounting assembly 202B can be a return duct 204B that receives air flow from the interior compartment 206 and pushes the air flow to the AC system 212. The ducts 204A, 204B can be enclosed air passages, such as conduits. The first axial fan assembly 100A can push air flow through the outlet duct 204A toward the interior compartment 206 in a first guiding direction 214. The second axial fan assembly 100B can push air flow through the return duct 204B toward the AC system 212 in a second guiding direction 216. In an example, the axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B can be located within the corresponding ducts 204A, 204B. In another example, the axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B can be located at the ends of the corresponding ducts 204A, 204B. In any example, the axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B are fluidly connected to the interior volumes of the ducts 204A, 204B to drive air flow through the ducts 204A, 204B. The axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B are duct fans such that the air flow pushed by the fans 100A, 100B is contained within the ducts 204A, 204B. Although the axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B are shown located in the ducts 204A, 204B of the air distribution system 210 in the illustrated example, the axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B can be considered components of the AC system 212. For example, the axial fan assemblies 100A, 100B can be fans that push air flow above the evaporator and condenser coils of the AC system 212.

[0030] Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the impeller 104 of the axial fan assembly 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is Figure 3 a perspective view of the impeller 104 shown in. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of blades 112 has an annular shape forming a ring. For example, each blade 112 has a body 302 that has a first end 304 and a second end 306. The blade 112 extends from the first end 304 to the second end 306. Both the first end 304 and the second end 306 can be connected to the hub 110. The body 302 wraps around from the first end 304 to the second end 306 along the length of the body. The first vane section 116 of the blade 112 extends from the first end 304 to the end section 120. The second vane section 118 extends from the end section 120 to the second end 306. The body 302 laterally defines an opening 122 between the first vane section 116 and the second vane section 118. The opening 122 can extend radially from the hub 110 to the end section 120 of the blade 112.

[0031] The first vane section 116 can be the air intake portion of the vane 112, and the second vane section 118 can be the exhaust portion of the vane 112. For example, as Figure 4 shown, along the direction of the airflow through the housing 102 (shown in Figure 1 ) and the duct 204 ( Figure 2 ), the first vane section 116 can be located upstream of at least most of the second vane section 118. The direction of the airflow indicates the direction in which the axial flow fan assembly 100 pushes the airflow through the housing 102 and the duct 204, such as Figure 2 the first guiding direction 214 and the second guiding direction 216 shown. The first vane section 116 of the vane 112 can generally draw the airflow into the opening 122 that provides the air intake function. The second vane section 118 can generally push the airflow downstream in the direction of the airflow, providing the exhaust function. In an example, the first vane section 116 (e.g., the first end 304 of the body 302) is connected to the hub 110 at a corresponding first position 312, and the second vane section 118 (e.g., the second end 306 of the body 302) is connected to the hub 110 at a corresponding second position 314. The first position 312 and the second position 314 are spaced apart along the hub axis 114 of the hub 110. For example, the first position 312 can be located between the end 316 of the hub 110 and the second position 314 along the hub axis 114. Thus, the first position 312 can be upstream of the second position 314 with respect to the direction of the airflow.

[0032] The vane 112 can be twisted along the length of the corresponding body 302. For example, the vane 112 (e.g., the body 302 of the vane 112) has a first side 308 and a second side 310 opposite to the first side 308. The first side 308 and the second side 310 can be broad surfaces extending between the first side edge and the second side edge of the body 302. The vane 112 can be twisted such that the first side 308 of the vane 112 along the first vane section 116 faces a different direction from the first side 308 of the vane 112 along the second vane section 118. For example, the first side 308 of the vane 112 along the first vane section 116 can generally face upstream with respect to the direction of the airflow through the housing 102 and the duct 204. The first side 308 of the vane 112 along the second vane section 118 can generally face downstream with respect to the direction of the airflow.

[0033] In an example, the body 302 of the blade 112 can be a unitary (e.g., one-piece) body. The body 302 being unitary means that the different parts are integral and seamlessly connected to each other. For example, the blade 112 can have no seams along the length of the body 302. The body 302 can be formed by shaping (e.g., molding, casting, laying) a single structural building component into Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 the twisted annular shape shown in.

[0034] In an example, the hub 110 has a narrow portion 318 and a wide portion 320 extending from the narrow portion 318. The blade 112 is mounted to the narrow portion 318 of the hub 110. The motor assembly 106 (shown in Figure 1 ) is mounted to the wide portion 320. In an example, the narrow portion 318 of the hub 110 can have a cylindrical shape, and the wide portion 320 can have a conical shape. The diameter of the conical shape gradually increases with increasing distance from the narrow portion 318. The internal volume portion within the cavity of the housing 102 (through which the air flow is pushed by the impeller 104) gradually decreases along the length of the conical wide portion 320.

[0035] Figure 5 is a side view of a fan mounting assembly 202 according to an embodiment, where the duct 204 and the housing 102 are shown in cross-section. The impeller 104 and the motor assembly 106 are disposed within the cavity 108 of the housing 102. The cavity 108 is fluidly connected to the internal volume portion 502 of the duct 204. The housing 102 can be mechanically coupled to the duct 204. For example, the housing 102 can be fixed between two portions of the duct 204 and / or disposed within the internal volume portion 502 of the duct 204.

[0036] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can define an annular raised channel 504 that is designed to receive a captured flow in the air stream. For example, the housing 102 can include a radially projecting portion 506 (also shown in Figure 1 ) that defines the annular raised channel 504. The radially projecting portion 506 is a radially outwardly protruding section of the housing 102. The annular raised channel 504 has a larger diameter than the portion of the housing 102 immediately adjacent to the annular raised channel 504 (e.g., the portions immediately upstream and downstream of the annular raised channel 504). The annular raised channel 504 can be aligned with the blades 112 of the impeller 104. The end section 120 of the blade 112 can be aligned with the annular raised channel along the hub axis 114 of the hub. For example, the plane through which the blade 112 rotates can intersect the annular raised channel 504.

[0037] The annular raised channel 504 can receive the captured flow caused by vortex shedding in the airflow. The annular raised channel 504 can allow the turbulent blade tip flow (e.g., vortex shedding) to be separated from the core (e.g., main) airflow passing through the axial flow fan assembly 100 and the duct 204. Due to the annular raised channel 504, the captured flow shed from the end section 120 of the blade 112 can be located radially outside the impeller 104 to avoid significantly restricting (e.g., impeding) the core airflow. Thus, compared to the case where the housing 102 does not include the annular raised channel 504, the air flow velocity of the core airflow can be greater due to the presence of the annular raised channel 504. The captured airflow is allowed to rejoin the core airflow downstream of the annular raised channel 504.

[0038] The blades 112 of the axial flow fan assembly 100 can be relatively long to enhance the interaction between the blades 112 and the air. In an example, the diameter of the impeller 104 is at least 75% of the first inner diameter of the housing 102. The first inner diameter of the housing 102 can be located at the section of the housing 102 adjacent to the annular raised channel 504. In an example, the impeller diameter is not greater than the first inner diameter of the housing 102. For example, the end section 120 of the blade 112 may not extend into the annular raised channel 504. Thus, the annular raised channel 504 can receive the captured flow in the airflow without receiving a portion of the blade 112. In another example, the end section 120 of the blade 112 can extend at least slightly beyond the first inner diameter into the annular raised channel 504.

[0039] The fan mounting assembly 202 can include the stator vanes 508 mounted to the housing 510 of the motor assembly 106. The housing 510 of the motor assembly 106 is connected to the wide portion 320 of the hub 110. The housing 510 can accommodate the motor that drives the blades 112 of the impeller 104 to rotate. The housing 510 can also accommodate the power source that powers the motor. The stator vanes 508 can be circumferentially spaced along the perimeter of the housing 510, as Figure 1 shown. The stator vanes 508 control the direction of the airflow passing through the cavity 108 of the housing 102 downstream of the impeller 104. For example, the stator vanes can be positioned to straighten the core airflow by reducing the change in the airflow direction downstream of the impeller 104 and the annular raised channel 504.

[0040] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the fan mounting assembly 202 according to the second embodiment, in which the housing 102 is relative to Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5The housing 102 shown in [reference] has been modified. In the illustrated embodiment, the fan mounting assembly 202 may include a flow regulator 602 within the housing 102. The flow regulator 602 may be located upstream of the impeller 104 relative to the direction of the airflow 604 through the duct 204. For example, the flow regulator 602 may be upstream of the blades 112 and the annular raised channel 504. The flow regulator 602 may have an annular shape that projects into the cavity 108 of the housing 102 to restrict the flow by reducing the diameter of the cavity 108. For example, the airflow entering the housing 102 is constrained or impeded by the flow regulator 602, which increases the pressure and / or the flow velocity of the airflow leaving the flow regulator 602 before the airflow reaches the impeller 104. The flow regulator 602 may help to direct the incoming airflow in the direction 604.

[0041] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an aircraft 700. In an embodiment, the aircraft 700 represents a vehicle on which the fan mounting assembly 202 can be mounted. The aircraft 700 includes a fuselage 706 that extends from a nose section 712 to a tail fin 714 or a tail section. The aircraft 700 includes a pair of wings 702, 704 that extend from the fuselage 706. The wings 702, 704 may include movable wing surfaces such as ailerons, flaps, and / or spoilers. One or more propulsion systems 708, 710 propel the aircraft 700. The propulsion systems 708, 710 are supported by the wings 702, 704 in the illustrated embodiment, but may be mounted to the fuselage 706 or the tail fin 714 in other types of aircraft. The tail fin 714 may include horizontal stabilizers 716, 718 and a vertical stabilizer 720. The fuselage 706 may define a plurality of internal compartments along the length of the fuselage 706 from the nose section 712 to the tail fin 714. The fuselage 706 is oriented about a longitudinal axis 722. In an embodiment, the fan mounting assembly 202 may be part of an air conditioning system (e.g., an environmental control system) on the aircraft 700 for managing the temperature, humidity, and pressure of the air supplied to the internal compartments of the fuselage 706.

[0042] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the impeller 104 of the fan mounting assembly 202 according to another embodiment. Figure 8 The impeller 104 in [reference] has intersecting blades 802. For example, the blades 802 have an annular shape that defines a ring extending from the hub 110, similar to Figure 3 and Figure 4 the blades 112 shown in [reference]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The adjacent blades 112 in [reference] are spaced apart from each other and are individually mounted to the hub 110. In Figure 8In [reference], adjacent blades 802 intersect each other near the hub 110. For example, the first vane section of each blade 802 may define a slot 804 that receives the second vane section of an adjacent blade 802 passing therethrough. This overlapping design can reduce the axial length of the impeller 104 of the compression axial flow fan along the hub axis 114. Compared with Figure 3 and Figure 4 the design with separate blades 112 shown in [reference], the overlapping design may have reduced efficiency.

[0043] Figure 9 FIG. 900 is a flow chart of a method of assembling a fan mounting assembly according to an embodiment. The fan mounting assembly may be the fan mounting assembly 202 described herein. The method may optionally include additional steps, fewer steps, and / or steps different from those shown in the flow chart 900, and / or one or more steps may be performed in an order different from that shown and described herein.

[0044] In step 902, an axial flow fan assembly 100 is provided, which includes a housing 102, a motor assembly 106, and an impeller 104. The housing 102 surrounds the impeller 104 and the motor assembly 106. The impeller 104 includes a hub 110 and a plurality of blades 112 mounted on the hub 110. Each of the plurality of blades 112 has an annular shape forming a ring. In an example, the housing 102 defines an annular raised channel 504. The annular raised channel 504 may receive the captured flow of the air stream pushed by the axial flow fan assembly 100. In an example, the impeller 104 is positioned relative to the housing 102 such that the annular raised channel 504 is aligned with the blades 112.

[0045] In step 904, the axial flow fan assembly 100 is mounted relative to a duct 204 provided on a vehicle 200 such that the axial flow fan assembly 100 pushes an air stream through the duct 204. The air stream in the duct 204 may be supplied to the interior compartment 206 of the vehicle 200 or may be received from the interior compartment of the vehicle. In an example, the vehicle 200 may be an aircraft 700. The axial flow fan assembly 100 may be mounted inside the duct 204, coupled to the end of the duct 204 in alignment, or coupled in alignment between two sections of the duct 204.

[0046] In an example, the method may include providing a flow regulator 602 in the housing 102 upstream of the impeller 104 with respect to the direction of the air stream 604 guided through the duct 204. In an example, the method may include providing a straightening vane 508 mounted on the housing 510 of the motor assembly 106 of the axial flow fan assembly 100. The straightening vanes 508 may be circumferentially spaced apart along the perimeter of the housing 510.

[0047] In addition, the present disclosure includes examples in accordance with the following clauses:

[0048] Clause 1. A fan mounting assembly, comprising:

[0049] A duct disposed on a vehicle and configured to receive an air flow supplied to an interior compartment of the vehicle or an air flow received from the interior compartment of the vehicle; and

[0050] An axial flow fan assembly configured to push the air flow through the duct, wherein the axial flow fan assembly includes a housing, a motor assembly, and an impeller, wherein the housing surrounds the impeller and the motor assembly and is mounted to the duct, wherein the impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades mounted on the hub, and wherein each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape forming a ring.

[0051] Clause 2. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 1, wherein each of the plurality of blades includes a first blade section mounted to the hub, a second blade section mounted to the hub, and a tip section connecting the first blade section and the second blade section, and wherein the first blade section, the second blade section, and the tip section define a ring.

[0052] Clause 3. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 2, wherein the first blade section of the blade is connected to the hub at a corresponding first position, and the second blade section of the blade is connected to the hub at a corresponding second position, and wherein, along the hub axis of the hub, the first position is located between the end of the hub and the second position.

[0053] Clause 4. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 2, wherein each of the plurality of blades has a single-piece body, the single-piece body including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the single-piece body is twisted along the length of the single-piece body.

[0054] Clause 5. The fan mounting assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein the hub has a narrow portion and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion, and wherein the blades are mounted to the narrow portion and the motor assembly is mounted to the wide portion.

[0055] Clause 6. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 5, wherein the narrow portion of the hub has a cylindrical shape and the wide portion of the hub has a conical shape.

[0056] Clause 7. The fan mounting assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the impeller and the motor assembly are disposed in a cavity of the housing, wherein the cavity is fluidly connected to an internal volume of the duct, and wherein the housing defines an annular raised channel configured to receive a captured flow in the air flow.

[0057] Clause 8. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 7, wherein the annular raised channel is aligned with the blades of the impeller.

[0058] Clause 9. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 7, wherein the diameter of the impeller is at least 75% of the diameter of the cavity of the housing at the section of the cavity adjacent to the annular raised channel.

[0059] Clause 10. The fan mounting assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a flow regulator positioned upstream of the impeller with respect to the direction of the airflow through the duct.

[0060] Clause 11. The fan mounting assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 10, further comprising a plurality of straightening guide vanes mounted to the outer housing of the motor assembly, wherein the plurality of straightening guide vanes are circumferentially spaced apart along the perimeter of the outer housing.

[0061] Clause 12. The fan mounting assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

[0062] Clause 13. An aircraft, comprising:

[0063] An air distribution system including a duct and an axial flow fan assembly, wherein the duct is configured to receive or supply airflow to or from the interior compartments of the aircraft, wherein the axial flow fan assembly is configured to propel the airflow through the duct, and wherein the axial flow fan assembly includes:

[0064] A motor assembly;

[0065] An impeller including a hub and a plurality of blades mounted on the hub, wherein each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape forming a ring; and

[0066] A housing mounted to the duct and surrounding the impeller and the motor assembly.

[0067] Clause 14. The aircraft according to Clause 13, wherein each of the plurality of blades has a single-piece body including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the single-piece body is twisted along the length of the single-piece body.

[0068] Clause 15. The aircraft according to Clause 13 or Clause 14, wherein the hub has a narrow portion and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion, wherein the blades are mounted to the narrow portion, and wherein the motor assembly is mounted to the wide portion.

[0069] Clause 16. An aircraft according to any one of Clauses 13 to 15, wherein the impeller and motor assembly are mounted within a cavity of the housing, wherein the cavity is fluidly connected to the interior volume of the duct, and wherein the housing defines an annular raised channel configured to receive a captured flow within an air stream.

[0070] Clause 17. An aircraft according to any one of Clauses 13 to 16, wherein the air distribution system is part of the aircraft's air conditioning system, and wherein the air distribution system conveys conditioned air as an air stream to passengers within an interior cabin.

[0071] Clause 18. A fan mounting assembly comprising:

[0072] A duct disposed on a vehicle and configured to accommodate an air stream supplied to an interior cabin of the vehicle or received from the interior cabin of the vehicle; and

[0073] An axial flow fan assembly configured to propel an air stream through the duct, wherein the axial flow fan assembly includes a housing, a motor assembly, and an impeller, wherein the housing defines a cavity fluidly connected to the interior volume of the duct, and wherein the impeller and motor assembly are disposed within the cavity;

[0074] wherein the impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades mounted to the hub, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades has an annular shape and forms a ring, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades includes a first airfoil section mounted to the hub, a second airfoil section mounted to the hub, and a tip section connecting the first airfoil section and the second airfoil section; and

[0075] wherein the housing defines an annular raised channel configured to receive a captured flow within an air stream.

[0076] Clause 19. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 18, wherein the first airfoil section of the blade is connected to the hub at a respective first location, and the second airfoil section of the blade is connected to the hub at a respective second location, and wherein, along the hub axis of the hub, the first location is between the end of the hub and the second location.

[0077] Clause 20. The fan mounting assembly according to Clause 18 or Clause 19, wherein the annular raised channel is aligned with the blades of the impeller.

[0078] Although various spatial and directional terms (such as top, bottom, lower, middle, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front, etc.) may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that such terms are used only with respect to the orientation shown in the drawings. The orientation may be reversed, rotated, or otherwise changed such that the upper portion is the lower portion (and vice versa), the horizontal becomes vertical, etc.

[0079] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element “configured to” perform a task or operation is specifically formed, constructed, or adapted structurally in a manner corresponding to that task or operation. For clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can only perform the task or operation in a variant manner is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.

[0080] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the dimensions and types of the materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiments are in no way restrictive but are exemplary embodiments. After reviewing the above description, many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which those claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “in which” are used as equivalents of the corresponding terms “including” and “wherein.” Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Moreover, the limitations of the appended claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless such claim limitations expressly use a functional description excluding other structures to define the term “means for.”

[0081] This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent structural elements that do not differ materially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A fan mounting assembly (202), comprising: a duct (204) disposed on a vehicle (200) and configured to accommodate an airflow (604) supplied to or received from an interior compartment (206) of the vehicle; and An axial fan assembly (100) is configured to propel airflow through the duct, wherein the axial fan assembly includes a housing (102), a motor assembly (106), and an impeller (104), wherein the housing surrounds the impeller and the motor assembly and is mounted to the duct, wherein the impeller includes a hub (110) and a plurality of blades (112) mounted on the hub, and wherein each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape forming a ring.

2. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 1, wherein: Each blade of the plurality of blades (112) includes a first blade section (116) mounted to the hub (110), a second blade section (118) mounted to the hub, and a tip section (120) connecting the first blade section and the second blade section, wherein the first blade section, the second blade section, and the tip section define the ring.

3. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 2, wherein: The first blade section (116) of the blade (112) is connected to the hub (110) at a corresponding first position (312), and the second blade section (118) of the blade is connected to the hub at a corresponding second position (314), and wherein, along a hub axis of the hub, the first position is located between a tip (316) of the hub and the second position.

4. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the plurality of blades (112) has a monolithic body (302) including a first side (308) and a second side (310) opposite the first side, and wherein the monolithic body is twisted along the length of the monolithic body.

5. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 1, wherein: The hub (110) has a narrow portion (318) and a wide portion (320) extending from the narrow portion, and wherein the blades (112) are mounted to the narrow portion and the motor assembly (106) is mounted to the wide portion.

6. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 5, wherein: The narrow portion (318) of the hub (110) has a cylindrical shape, and the wide portion (320) of the hub has a conical shape.

7. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 1, wherein: The impeller (104) and the motor assembly (106) are disposed within a cavity (108) of the housing (102), wherein the cavity is fluidly connected to an interior volume (502) of the conduit (204), and wherein the housing defines an annular raised channel (504) configured to receive a captured flow in the airflow (604).

8. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 7, wherein: The annular raised channel (504) is aligned with the blades (112) of the impeller (104).

9. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 7, wherein: The diameter of the impeller (104) is at least 75% of the diameter of the cavity (108) of the housing (102) at a section of the cavity immediately adjacent to the annular raised channel (504).

10. The fan mount assembly (202) of claim 1, further comprising a flow conditioner (602) positioned upstream of the impeller (104) relative to a direction (604) of directing airflow (604) through the duct (204).

11. The fan mount assembly (202) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of straightening guide vanes (508) mounted to a housing (510) of the motor assembly (106), wherein: A plurality of the straightening vanes (508) are circumferentially spaced apart along the periphery of the casing (510).

12. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle (200) is an airplane (700).

13. An aircraft (700), comprising: An air distribution system (210) comprising a duct (204) and an axial flow fan assembly (100), wherein the duct (204) is configured to accommodate an airflow (604) supplied to or received from an interior cabin (206) of the aircraft, wherein the axial flow fan assembly is configured to propel the airflow through the duct, and wherein the axial flow fan assembly comprises: Motor assembly (106); An impeller (104) comprising a hub (110) and a plurality of blades (112) mounted on the hub, wherein each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape forming a ring; and A housing (102) is mounted to the duct and surrounds the impeller and the motor assembly.

14. The aircraft (700) according to claim 13, wherein: Each of the plurality of blades (112) has a monolithic body (302) including a first side (308) and a second side (310) opposite the first side, and wherein the monolithic body is twisted along the length of the monolithic body.

15. The aircraft (700) of claim 13, wherein: The hub (110) has a narrow portion (318) and a wide portion (320) extending from the narrow portion, wherein the blades (112) are mounted to the narrow portion, and wherein the motor assembly (106) is mounted to the wide portion.

16. The aircraft (700) of claim 13, wherein: The impeller (104) and the motor assembly (106) are mounted within a cavity (108) of the housing (102), wherein the cavity is fluidly connected to an interior volume (502) of the conduit (204), and wherein the housing defines an annular raised channel (504) configured to receive a captured flow in the airflow (604).

17. The aircraft (700) of claim 13, wherein: The air distribution system (210) is part of an air conditioning system of the aircraft, and wherein the air distribution system delivers conditioned air as an airflow (604) to passengers in the interior cabin (206).

18. A fan mounting assembly (202), comprising: a duct (204) disposed on a vehicle (200) and configured to accommodate an airflow (604) supplied to or received from an interior compartment (206) of the vehicle; and An axial fan assembly (100) configured to propel airflow through the duct, wherein the axial fan assembly comprises a housing (102), a motor assembly (106), and an impeller (104), wherein the housing defines a cavity (108) that is fluidly connected to an interior volume (502) of the duct, and wherein the impeller and the motor assembly are disposed within the cavity; The impeller comprises a hub (110) and a plurality of blades (112) mounted on the hub, wherein each of the plurality of blades has an annular shape and forms a ring, wherein each of the plurality of blades comprises a first blade section (116) mounted to the hub, a second blade section (118) mounted to the hub, and a terminal section (120) connecting the first blade section and the second blade section; and The housing defines an annular raised channel (504) configured to receive a captured flow in the airflow.

19. The fan mounting assembly (202) according to claim 18, wherein: The first blade section (116) of the blade (112) is connected to the hub (110) at a corresponding first position (312), and the second blade section (118) of the blade is connected to the hub at a corresponding second position (314), and wherein, along a hub axis of the hub, the first position is located between a tip (316) of the hub and the second position.

20. The fan mounting assembly (202) of claim 18, wherein: The annular raised channel (504) is aligned with the blades (112) of the impeller (104).

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