Orbital oscillation fan

Abstract

A precessing fan system includes a fan blade connected to a precessing drive train. The precessing drive train is connected to a first support at one end and pivotably connected to a second support at another end. The precessing drive train includes a single motor having a drive shaft driving both the fan blade and orbital gearing. The orbital gearing causes precession of the drive shaft and is connected to the first support. The orbital gearing includes a gear reduction that is coupled to the drive shaft, a pinion that is coupled to the gear reduction and a ring gear coupled to the pinion. The ring gear is connected to the first support. A planetary gearing system is used for the pinion and the ring gear.

1 . A precessing fan system comprising:
 a fan blade; and   a precessing drive train coupled to the fan blade and to a first support, the first support supporting the precessing drive train, the precessing drive train comprising:
 a motor having a drive shaft coupled to the fan blade; and 
 orbital gearing coupled to the first support and to the drive shaft; 
   wherein the drive shaft drives both the fan blade and the orbital gearing, and the orbital gearing causes precession of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The precessing fan system of  claim 1  wherein the orbital gearing comprises:
 a gear reduction coupled to the drive shaft; 
 a pinion coupled to the gear reduction; and 
 a ring gear coupled to the pinion, the ring gear connected to the first support. 
 
     
     
         3 . The precessing fan system of  claim 2  wherein the pinion and the ring gear are components of a planetary gearing system. 
     
     
         4 . The precessing fan system of  claim 1  wherein the precessing drive train is further pivotably connected to a second support. 
     
     
         5 . The precessing fan system of  claim 1  wherein the motor is the only motor in the fan system. 
     
     
         6 . The precessing fan system of  claim 1  further comprising a clutch for disengaging the orbital gearing. 
     
     
         7 . The precessing fan system of  claim 1  further comprising a housing, the fan blade and precessing drive train disposed within the housing, and wherein the first support is provided by the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The precessing fan system of  claim 7  wherein the precessing drive train is further pivotably connected to a second support provided by the housing. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing precession of a fan blade, the method comprising:
 rotating a shaft that is pivotably coupled to a support;   using the rotation of the shaft to rotate a fan blade; and   using the rotation of the shaft to cause rotation of a pinion around a fixed ring gear, wherein the shaft is coupled to the pinion.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising coupling the shaft to the pinion through a gear reduction mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A precessing fan system comprising:
 a housing;   a motor disposed within the housing and movably connected to the housing;   a shaft extending from two sides of the motor and rotationally driven by the motor;   a fan blade disposed within the housing and coupled to one end of the shaft; and   orbital gearing fixed to the housing and coupled to the other end of the shaft to induce precession of the shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The precessing fan system of  claim 11  wherein the orbital gearing comprises:
 a gear reduction coupled to the drive shaft; 
 a pinion coupled to the gear reduction; and 
 a ring gear coupled to the pinion, the ring gear fixed to the housing. 
 
     
     
         13 . The precessing fan system of  claim 12  wherein the pinion and the ring gear are components of a planetary gearing system fixed to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The precessing fan system of  claim 11  wherein the motor is pivotably connected to the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The precessing fan system of  claim 11  wherein the motor is the only motor in the fan system. 
     
     
         16 . The precessing fan system of  claim 11  further comprising a clutch for disengaging the orbital gearing from the motor.