Axial Blower Stator for Laminar Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for blower designs that are quieter, more compact, and less expensive, particularly for use in ventilator systems that require efficient and portable respiratory therapy solutions.
Innovation Solution
A portable ventilator system with a miniature motor, low-inertia impeller, and a blower design that includes a non-electrically conductive sleeve to reduce eddy current losses, heat conductive elements as heat sinks, and a flow sensor that acts as a heat sink to prevent condensation, along with a valve arrangement for dual-direction airflow control and a modular system for easy patient transfer and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a high-performance miniature motor is used, then power and efficiency are improved, but eddy current losses and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
A non-electrically conductive sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor and surrounding structures. This sleeve acts as a mediator that prevents eddy current formation by blocking electromagnetic coupling between adjacent conductive parts, thereby reducing energy losses while allowing the high-performance motor to operate efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The heat generated by the high-performance motor, which is initially a harmful effect causing energy loss, is converted into a beneficial effect by using heat-conductive elements as heat sinks. These elements dissipate the heat through the blower housing, transforming the harmful thermal energy into a useful cooling mechanism that prevents overheating
2Measurement precision
If the ventilator is located proximal to the patient, then flow and volume sensing accuracy is improved, but the risk of condensation on the flow sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The warmth generated by the motor is converted into a beneficial effect by positioning the flow sensor in close proximity to the motor. This allows the sensor to be heated passively, preventing condensation formation on its surface while maintaining accurate flow measurement capabilities in the proximal location
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sensor utilizes the thermal energy from the motor to maintain its own operating temperature and prevent condensation. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for separate heating elements or insulation, allowing the sensor to protect itself from the harmful condensation effect
3Volume of moving object
If a compact blower design is used, then portability and size are improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation function is merged with the structural components of the compact blower. Heat-conductive elements are integrated into the housing and airflow paths, allowing the same compact structure that minimizes size to also serve as an efficient thermal management system. The housing itself becomes a heat sink that dissipates thermal energy
4Ease of operation
If non-invasive patient interface is used, then patient comfort is improved, but the risk of bacterial growth in the circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bacterial growth risk is extracted and isolated from the patient interface by incorporating removable, sterilizable components in the circuit. These components can be separated from the main device, allowing targeted cleaning and sterilization of the portions most susceptible to bacterial contamination, while maintaining the comfort benefits of non-invasive interfacing
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 results in a compact, quiet, and cost-effective ventilator system that provides accurate flow and pressure management, minimizing rebreathed volumes and maintaining reliable operation with reduced noise and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a non-electrically conductive sleeve close to a central segment of the motor. This arrangement avoids electrically conductive material close to the central segment of the motor to reduce eddy current induced inductive losses
Implementation Method 2
heat conductive elements (e.g., aluminum stator, aluminum flow sensor) coupled to the motor are maximized to act as heat sinks
Implementation Method 3
heat conductive elements (e.g., aluminum stator, aluminum flow sensor) coupled to the motor are maximized to act as heat sinks
Implementation Method 4
the flow sensor according to an embodiment of the invention acts as heat sink for the motor, the motor will warm the flow sensor and prevent condensation
Data Source
AI summary
A blower includes a housing including a proximal opening and a distal opening that are co-axially aligned, a stator component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the proximal opening of the housing and the stator component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller. The impeller includes a plurality of impeller blades. The stator component includes a plurality of air directing grooves along its exterior surface. The leading edge of the air directing grooves extend tangentially outwards from the outer tips of the impeller blades and are configured to collect the air exiting the impeller blades and direct it from a generally tangential direction to a generally radial direction by dividing the air from the impeller and directing the air along a curved path towards the distal opening so that airflow becomes substantially laminar.