Air Moving Device with Bypass Intake for Low-Power Thrust Enhancement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air moving devices require high power input for a given thrust or generate low thrust for a given power input, necessitating improvements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with a primary flow path and a secondary flow path, featuring an annular secondary inlet that bypasses the primary inlet, along with longitudinal stator vanes and ribs to enhance airflow efficiency, reducing power requirements while increasing thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If existing air moving devices use high power input, then thrust is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air moving device is divided into two separate flow paths: a primary flow path that draws air from the front and a secondary flow path that draws air from the sides and rear. This segmentation allows each path to contribute independently to the total thrust, improving overall efficiency and reducing the power required for a given thrust output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the primary and secondary flow paths into a single housing structure, where air from both paths merges and is propelled together by a common impeller. This merging of flow paths maximizes the thrust generated per unit of power input by utilizing air from multiple directions simultaneously.
2Productivity
If existing air moving devices increase thrust output, then productivity is improved, but power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional (front-only) air intake to a multi-dimensional air intake system by adding side and rear inlets. This dimensional expansion allows the device to gather air from multiple spatial directions, increasing the total volume of air processed and thereby increasing thrust output without a proportional increase in power input.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances airflow efficiency by mixing air from the secondary path with the primary path, reducing power consumption and increasing thrust, effectively destratifying thermal gradients in enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
The impeller assembly is supported by the housing and is configured to rotate a blade to cause air to enter the housing through the upper portion and exit the housing through the lower portion
Implementation Method 2
The secondary flow path extends from an annular secondary inlet of the housing to an annular inner outlet that is in fluid communication with the primary flow path
Implementation Method 3
The annular secondary inlet is located between the lower outer edge of the upper outer sidewall and the upper edge of the lower outer sidewall
Data Source
AI summary
An air moving device has a housing with a primary flow path and a secondary flow path that extends from a secondary inlet of the housing and empties into an inner outlet adjacent the primary flow path. An impeller assembly rotates a blade to cause air to enter the housing and flow along the primary flow path. The flow of air through the primary flow path creates a low pressure region at the inner outlet of the secondary flow path, causing air to flow through the secondary flow path and mix with the air in the primary flow path. The mixture of air flows through a downstream portion of the primary flow path having an expanded width compared to an upstream portion of the primary flow path and exits the housing. Stator vanes may extend longitudinally within the housing to cause columnar air flow. The device may be used for destratification of thermal gradients of air within an enclosure, such as a home or warehouse.