Laminar flow radial ceiling fan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling fans are inefficient in circulating and equalizing air distribution within a room, as they create a single vertical column of air that results in turbulent flow and incomplete mixing of hot and cold layers, limiting their ability to provide uniform comfort and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laminar flow radial ceiling fan design featuring multiple stacked discs with radial symmetry, allowing unobstructed air entry and exit in all directions, promoting efficient air circulation and mixing through a conical return pattern, which enhances air distribution and reduces buffeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional pitched blade ceiling fans are used to circulate air, then air movement is achieved, but turbulent flow and incomplete mixing of hot and cold layers occur, resulting in inefficient air distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The fan blade is segmented into multiple airfoil-shaped vanes arranged radially around the central axis. Each vane independently contributes to air movement, creating multiple air streams that combine to achieve uniform laminar flow circulation throughout the room, eliminating the single-column turbulent flow of traditional fans.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the traditional single-plane blade rotation to a three-dimensional radial arrangement of multiple airfoils extending outward from the central axis. This dimensional change enables air to be moved in multiple directions simultaneously, creating comprehensive laminar flow patterns that efficiently mix hot and cold air layers throughout the entire room volume.
2Speed
If a single vertical column of air is forced downward, then air movement is created, but inefficient turbulent flow results and dead air zones remain
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil vanes are asymmetrically shaped with specific camber and angle of attack variations across the radial span. This asymmetry optimizes the aerodynamic lift and drag characteristics, generating controlled laminar flow that maintains high velocity while ensuring complete circulation coverage, eliminating dead air zones through optimized flow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes multiple parameters including airfoil cross-sectional geometry, vane spacing, radial distribution, and rotational speed to achieve laminar flow regime. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maintains high air flow velocity while transitioning from turbulent to laminar flow, improving circulation completeness and eliminating stagnant zones.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple fans are affixed to the ceiling for larger rooms, then air circulation coverage is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radial airfoil fan design creates highly effective laminar flow patterns that maximize air circulation efficiency in a single unit. This multi-functional design simultaneously achieves high-velocity air movement, complete room coverage, and uniform temperature distribution, making it suitable for various room sizes without requiring multiple fans, thereby reducing system complexity and energy consumption.
4Temperature
If heating/cooling systems operate continuously to maintain temperature, then comfort is provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan operates continuously at low power to maintain uniform air circulation and prevent temperature stratification. By continuously mixing air and eliminating dead zones, the system maintains thermal homogeneity throughout the room, allowing the heating/cooling system to operate in shorter cycles and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
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 laminar flow radial ceiling fan achieves complete air circulation and mixing, eliminating dead air zones and improving comfort and energy efficiency by dispersing high-volume laminar flow air in all directions, thereby homogenizing temperature distribution without the need for continuous operation of heating/cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
The discs rotate which will rotate the air mass trapped between the discs. Centrifugal force acts on the air mass and expels it outward beyond the edges of the discs and into the surrounding air space.
Implementation Method 2
The laminar flow radial ceiling fan achieves complete air circulation and mixing, eliminating dead air zones and improving comfort and energy efficiency by dispersing high-volume laminar flow air in all directions
Data Source
AI summary
The prior art has used pitched blades attached to a stationary motor, normally electric, to move air within the confines of a structure or room. The preferred invention incorporates a series of solid discs. The discs are affixed to a stationary electric motor and thus rotate around a central axis. The discs are equally spaced and centrally perforated in a manner that will allow air to flow in high volumes through the perforations and pass along the discs thus exiting symmetrically between each disc perpendicularly to the flow of air that is at its entrance. Due to the less restrictive or low pressure air entrance as well as the correct vertical disc spacing a corresponding increase in the laminar flow is realized. This feature of the preferred invention allows for operation at a rotational speed that is practical for use as a ceiling fan.