Stepped Connector Collars for Adaptable Inline Fan Housings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The need for a large variety of inline fan housings and motorized impellers to accommodate different conduit diameters in ventilation systems leads to increased storage, transportation, and maintenance costs due to the lack of adaptable solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an inline fan housing assembly with adaptable connector collars and an inner inlet ring that allows a single fan housing to be used with various conduit diameters by adjusting the port diameters through steps and baffles, enabling connection to conduits of different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a variety of inline fan housing sizes and motorized impeller sizes are used to match different conduit diameters, then the ventilation system can properly serve different building applications, but the cost of storing, carrying and transporting these fans increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single fan housing assembly that can accommodate multiple conduit diameters through interchangeable connector collars. The connector collar is designed with a body having a housing connection end that interfaces with the fan housing port and a conduit connection end that can be configured for different conduit sizes (e.g., 4 inches to more than 18 inches), allowing one fan housing to serve multiple applications rather than requiring separate housings for each conduit size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connection interface into separate modular components: the fan housing with its port, the interchangeable connector collar with different sized conduit connection ends, and the motorized impeller assembly. This segmentation allows the connector collar to be removed and replaced with different sized collars to match different conduit diameters, eliminating the need to store multiple complete fan housing assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of inline fan housings and motorized impellers are maintained for different applications, then proper ventilation can be provided for various building structures, but warehouse space, transportation equipment and manpower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector collar is designed as a universal interface component that can adapt to different conduit sizes while maintaining compatibility with the same fan housing. The collar's body includes a housing connection end for interfacing with the fan housing port and a conduit connection end that can be configured for various conduit diameters, allowing a single fan housing to be used across multiple building sizes and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized impeller assembly is designed to be nestable within the fan housing, and the connector collar can be attached to the housing port. This nesting capability allows for compact storage of the components when not in use, reducing the warehouse space required compared to storing multiple complete assembled fan units of different sizes.
3Productivity
If fan housing and impeller sizes are matched to specific conduit diameters, then optimal airflow performance is achieved, but the complexity of managing inventory of different sizes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector collar serves as a universal adapter that maintains optimal airflow performance across different conduit sizes. By keeping the fan housing and impeller assembly constant and only changing the connector collar to match the conduit diameter, the system preserves the engineered airflow characteristics of each fan model while adapting to various building ventilation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector collar is designed with specific local qualities at its different ends: the housing connection end is configured to interface optimally with the fan housing port to maintain airflow efficiency, while the conduit connection end is configured with the appropriate diameter and connection features for the specific conduit size being installed, allowing each end to be optimized for its specific function.
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
This solution reduces the need for multiple fan housing and impeller sizes, allowing for efficient air circulation through various conduit diameters with improved airflow and reduced storage and transportation costs, while maintaining system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A motorized impellor is mounted within a cavity defined by the housings for drawing air in through the inlet port and pushing air out through the exhaust port
Implementation Method 2
the housing connection end in fluid communication with the conduit connection end
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an inline fan housing assembly adaptable for connection with conduits of various diameters. The inline fan housing assembly comprises a connector collar for connection to the inlet or exhaust ports of the fan housings to adapt the fan housings for connection to a variety of conduits having diameters not designed to connect with the inlet or exhaust ports of the fan housing. The inline fan housing assembly also comprises an inner inlet ring for adapting the inlet port of the inline fan housing to direct air into motorized impellor of various sizes mounted within the inline fan housing. The connector collars of the present invention contain one or more steps, each step suitable for connection with a conduit of a different diameter. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner steps of the connection collar are removable thereby allow for increased air flow through the connection.