Cantilever fan

Abstract

A cantilever fan including a cantilever blade that is clamped at one end. The fan includes an actuator that applies a periodic force to the blade resulting in periodic deflections of the blade.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A cantilever fan, comprising:
 a base arranged to remain stationary, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a first cantilever blade having a stationary end attached to the first side of the base and a blade tip opposite the stationary end such that the blade tip is free to oscillate relative to the base, the first cantilever blade having a length that extends from the stationary end to the blade tip;   a second cantilever blade having a stationary end attached to the second side of the base and a blade tip opposite the stationary end such that the blade tip is free to oscillate relative to the base, the second cantilever blade having a length that extends from the stationary end to the blade tip;   an actuator coil attached to the base and arranged to remain stationary with the base, the actuator coil being located between the first and second cantilever blades and at a location between the stationary end and the blade tip of the first and second cantilever blades;   a first armature attached to the first cantilever blade between the stationary end and the blade tip of the first cantilever blade, the first armature extending toward the actuator coil; and   a second armature attached to the second cantilever blade between the stationary end and the blade tip of the second cantilever blade, the second armature extending toward the actuator coil;   wherein current in the actuator coil causes an attractive force between the first and second armatures, thereby causing movement of the first and second cantilever blades.   
     
     
         17 . The cantilever fan of  claim 16 , wherein a periodic current waveform provided to the actuator coil causes oscillation of the first and second cantilever blades. 
     
     
         18 . The cantilever fan of  claim 16 , further comprising first and second masses respectively attached to the first and second cantilever blades between the stationary end and the blade tip. 
     
     
         19 . The cantilever fan of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second armatures each have an E shape. 
     
     
         20 . The cantilever fan of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator coil has a cylindrical shape that extends in a direction between the first and second cantilever blades, and each of the first and second armatures have a portion that extends into an interior of the cylindrical shape of the actuator coil. 
     
     
         21 . The cantilever fan of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second armatures each have an E shape, and a middle portion of the E shape of each of the first and second armatures extends into the interior of the cylindrical shape of the actuator coil. 
     
     
         22 . The cantilever fan of  claim 21 , wherein outer portions of the E shape of each of the first and second armatures are positioned outside of the cylindrical shape of the actuator coil. 
     
     
         23 . A cantilever fan, comprising:
 a core body arranged to remain stationary, the core body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a first cantilever blade having a central portion between opposed paddles that extend outwardly from the central portion, the central portion being attached to the first side of the core body such that the opposed paddles are free to oscillate relative to the core body;   a second cantilever blade having a central portion between opposed paddles that extend outwardly from the central portion, the central portion being attached to the second side of the core body such that the opposed paddles are free to oscillate relative to the core body;   a first set of actuator coil and armature pairs arranged to provide an air gap between each of the paddles of the first cantilever blade and a respective actuator coil and armature pair, each actuator coil and armature pair arranged to actuate a respective paddle by creating a magnetic force in the air gap between the actuator coil and armature pair and the respective paddle;   a second set of actuator coil and armature pairs arranged to provide an air gap between each of the paddles of the second cantilever blade and a respective actuator coil and armature pair, each actuator coil and armature pair arranged to actuate a respective paddle by energizing the actuator coil and creating a magnetic force in the air gap between the actuator coil and armature pair and the respective paddle.   
     
     
         24 . The cantilever fan of  claim 23 , wherein the second cantilever blade is rotated 90 degrees relative to the first cantilever blade. 
     
     
         25 . The cantilever fan of  claim 23 , wherein each actuator coil and armature pair extends radially outwardly from the core body in a direction the corresponding paddle extends from the core body. 
     
     
         26 . The cantilever fan of  claim 23 , wherein each armature has an L shape. 
     
     
         27 . The cantilever fan of  claim 23 , wherein each actuator coil and armature pair is arranged to remain stationary with the core body. 
     
     
         28 . The cantilever fan of  claim 23 , wherein actuation of the paddles causes the paddles to oscillate, and oscillation of each paddle causes air flow that is radially directed relative to the core body. 
     
     
         29 . A cantilever fan, comprising:
 a base arranged to remain stationary;   a first cantilever blade having a stationary end attached to the base and a blade tip opposite the stationary end such that the blade tip is free to oscillate relative to the base, the first cantilever blade having a length that extends from the stationary end to the blade tip;   a magnet holder mounted to the first cantilever blade between the stationary end and the blade tip, the magnet holder having a wall that extends away from the first cantilever blade and defines a cavity;   a magnet attached to the first cantilever blade in the cavity such that a magnetic field exists in an air gap between the magnet and the wall; and   an actuator coil attached to the base and arranged to remain stationary with the base, the actuator coil having a portion located in the air gap;   wherein current in the actuator coil exerts a force on the magnet and magnet holder to cause movement of the first cantilever blade.   
     
     
         30 . The cantilever fan of  claim 29 , wherein alternating current applied to the actuator coil exerts alternating force on the magnet holder and magnet. 
     
     
         31 . The cantilever fan of  claim 29 , wherein the magnet holder is made of a high magnetic permeability material. 
     
     
         32 . The cantilever fan of  claim 29 , wherein the wall of magnet holder defines a continuous wall around the cavity. 
     
     
         33 . The cantilever fan of  claim 32 , wherein the wall has an oval shape. 
     
     
         34 . The cantilever fan of  claim 29 , further comprising a coil boss fixed to the base, and the actuator coil is attached to the coil boss. 
     
     
         35 . The cantilever fan of  claim 29 , wherein the magnet holder is attached to the first cantilever blade by a clamp plate.