HVLS Fan Blade Mounting Structure for Coning Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high volume, low speed (HVLS) fan designs face issues with fan blades deflecting or 'coning' at higher speeds, reducing airflow directionality, and experiencing twisting and torque loads that can lead to premature wear and stress on hub connectors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a robust blade mounting structure that includes upper and lower support members, a strut, and a spacer insert to securely attach fan blades to the hub, distributing loads and reducing stress on fasteners, thereby minimizing coning, twisting, and torque effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fan blades are made longer to increase airflow volume, then the airflow volume increases, but the blades become more flexible and deflect more at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The blade mounting structure is segmented into multiple components: upper support member, lower support member, strut, and spacer insert. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific loads and forces independently, providing structural support to long, flexible blades without requiring a single massive rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure combines different structural elements (support members, struts, spacers) that work together as a composite system. This composite approach distributes mechanical loads across multiple components, enabling the structure to support longer blades while maintaining stability at operational speeds.
2Quantity of substance
If fan blades are made longer to increase airflow volume, then the airflow volume increases, but coning deflection increases at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure extends in multiple dimensions - the upper and lower support members provide vertical support, the strut provides radial support, and the spacer insert provides axial positioning. This multi-dimensional support system effectively restrains blade deflection in all relevant directions, maintaining blade shape even at higher rotational speeds.
3Quantity of substance
If fan blades are made longer to increase airflow volume, then the airflow volume increases, but twisting and torque loads on hub connectors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure segments the torque and twisting load paths through its multiple components. The upper and lower support members, connected by the strut, create a triangular load path that distributes torque away from the hub connector. The spacer insert further segments the load path by providing a rigid reference point that reduces twisting moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure introduces additional dimensional support - the strut extends radially outward to provide a lever arm that counteracts twisting loads, while the spacer insert provides axial positioning that reduces bending moments. This multi-dimensional load distribution significantly reduces the torque burden on hub connectors.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a robust blade mounting structure with multiple components is implemented, then blade stability and airflow efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the structure is segmented into multiple components, each segment is designed to be relatively simple in form. The support members are straightforward structural elements, the strut is a simple connecting component, and the spacer insert is a basic positioning element. This segmentation provides stability without requiring complex geometries or mechanisms in individual parts.
Data Source
AI summary
Fans having fan blade mounting structures are disclosed herein. A fan configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a fan having a central hub coupled to a plurality of fan blades by a plurality of blade mounting structures. Each blade mounting structure can include first and lower support members that each extend toward an inboard end portion of an individual fan blade. Each of the upper and lower support members can include a first end portion coupled to the inboard end portion of the fan blade. Each of the upper and lower support members can also include a second end portion coupled to opposite sides of the central hub.