Fan Blade Retention via Cable Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan systems lack a reliable mechanism for retaining fan blades in the event of structural failure, which can lead to inadvertent separation and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A cable-based redundant retention system is implemented, where inner and outer anchors with adjustable tension cables secure fan blades to the hub assembly, providing mutual support and attachment in case of separation, ensuring continued operation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable-based redundant retention system is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is divided into multiple independent components: primary retention means (bolts/screws), secondary retention means (cables with turnbuckles), and tertiary retention means (mechanical interlocks). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability even if one component fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The cables are pre-installed and pre-tensioned during assembly to provide immediate secondary retention capability. The turnbuckles are pre-positioned to allow quick adjustment of cable tension, ensuring the redundant retention system is ready to activate immediately upon primary retention failure without requiring additional assembly steps.
2Ease of operation
If adjustable tension cables are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turnbuckle mechanism provides dynamic adjustability of cable tension, allowing the operator to precisely control the tension force after installation. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for variations in manufacturing tolerances and ensures optimal tensioning without requiring extremely precise pre-manufacturing of anchor positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows field adjustment of cable tension by the end user or maintenance personnel without requiring specialized tools or expertise. The turnbuckle design enables intuitive manual adjustment, making the system self-serviceable and eliminating the need for precision manufacturing of adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan comprises a rotatable hub assembly having an inner anchor assembly, a plurality of fan blades, a motor assembly, and a plurality of cables. The outer ends of the cables are coupled to the outer ends of the fan blades, and the inner ends of the cables are coupled to the inner anchor assembly. The inner anchor assembly may further include a disc-shaped plate and a plurality of inner anchor members to which the cables may be coupled. The inner anchor members may include a rear anchor portion and fore anchor portion, and these anchor portions may be angularly offset. A plurality of winglets and/or outer anchor members may be coupled to the outer ends of the fan blades to which the outer ends of the cables may be coupled. The outer ends of the cables may further comprise swaged tips outboard of the winglets and/or outer anchor members.