Inline Shaft Draft Inducer Motor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fans designed for exhausting corrosive or high-temperature gases are either expensive, cumbersome, or inefficient due to issues with motor placement, ducting integration, and maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A draft inducer with an inline tubular housing and a flexible or nonflexible drive shaft system that couples a motor outside the housing to an impeller inside, allowing for efficient gas handling and reduced maintenance needs, using materials that withstand extreme conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is placed inside the housing to directly drive the impeller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the motor is exposed to corrosive and high-temperature gases which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A drive shaft serves as an intermediary component that transmits rotational force from the motor (located outside the housing) to the impeller (located inside the housing). This allows the motor to be protected from corrosive gases while still achieving direct coupling to the impeller, eliminating the need for belts or pulleys.
2Reliability
If the motor is placed outside the housing and connected via belt drive, then the motor is protected from corrosive gases, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the belt-pulley mechanical transmission system with a direct rigid shaft connection. This substitution eliminates belts, pulleys, and associated alignment issues, reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining motor protection through the sealed housing.
3Reliability
If a bifurcated fan design is used to protect the motor, then the motor is protected from gases, but the fan size increases due to pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into two distinct zones: a gas-exposed zone containing the impeller and a protected zone containing the motor. The drive shaft penetrates the housing wall to connect these zones, allowing compact integration without the large motor housing required by bifurcated designs.
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 draft inducer effectively manages corrosive and high-temperature gases with reduced size and maintenance requirements, improving ducting integration and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The drive shaft couples the motor to the impeller to rotate the impeller with force from the motor
Data Source
AI summary
Draft inducers are set forth herein. According to one embodiment, a draft inducer for use with corrosive and high temperature gas includes an inline tubular housing, an impeller inside the housing, and a motor outside the housing. A drive shaft couples the motor to the impeller to rotate the impeller with force from the motor. According to another embodiment, an inline shaft driven draft inducer includes an inline tubular housing, a rotating member, a motor, and a drive shaft. The housing has an external perimeter, and the motor is outside the housing external perimeter. The rotating member is inside the housing, and the drive shaft couples the motor to the rotating member to spin the rotating member with force from the motor.