Fan assembly

Abstract

A fan assembly configured to address expansion losses and associated noises in centrifugal fans modifies the blades and housing to enhance the efficiency of air flow. The fan assembly can include a centrifugal fan wheel and shaped housing incorporating curved walls that guide the airflow along an efficient path, minimizing abrupt directional changes and resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced noise levels compared to conventional housed centrifugal fans. Additionally, fan assembly includes a low-profile, energy-efficient motor positioned within an interior region defined by the centrifugal fan wheel, reducing the overall size of the fan assembly. In embodiments, the fan assemblies can function as standalone fans or be arranged in an array configuration to effectively move large volumes of air.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fan array, comprising:
 a plurality of fan assemblies arranged in an array, each fan assembly including:
 a centrifugal fan; 
 a housing enclosing the centrifugal fan, the housing defining a plurality of openings configured to direct an airflow exiting the housing; and 
   wherein the plurality of fan assemblies are rotationally arranged such that no direct line of sight exists from any point on a first centrifugal fan of a first fan assembly, through the plurality of openings in the housing of the first fan assembly and the plurality of openings in the housing of a second fan assembly, to any point on a second centrifugal fan of the second fan assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The fan array of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fan assemblies are mounted to a separation wall at a rotational orientation relative to one another, such that the plurality of openings of the housing of each of the plurality of fan assemblies are directed away from adjacent housings. 
     
     
         3 . The fan array of  claim 1 , wherein every other fan assembly in the array has the plurality of openings positioned at a similar vertical or axial distance from a separation wall to reduce interference between an airflow exiting adjacent fan assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The fan array of  claim 1 , wherein a wheel back of the centrifugal fan defines an airflow surface having at least one of a conical, frusto-conical, or truncated dome-shaped profile. 
     
     
         5 . The fan array of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of fan assemblies further includes an electric motor positioned at least partially within an interior region defined by the wheel back of the centrifugal fan. 
     
     
         6 . The fan array of  claim 5 , wherein the electric motor comprises an axial flux motor. 
     
     
         7 . The fan array of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a first end wall defining a central opening, a second end wall, and a plurality of sidewalls defining the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         8 . The fan array of  claim 7 , wherein the second end wall of each of the plurality of fan assemblies defines a continually curved surface extending from the centrifugal fan to the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         9 . The fan array of  claim 1 , wherein the centrifugal fan of each of the plurality of fan assemblies includes a plurality of blades having compound curves. 
     
     
         10 . A fan array, comprising:
 a plurality of fan assemblies, each fan assembly including:   a centrifugal fan including a wheel back; and   a housing comprising:
 a first end wall defining a central opening; 
 a second end wall presenting an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a curvature extending from the wheel back of the centrifugal fan towards an outer perimeter of the housing; 
 a plurality of sidewalls extending between the first and second end walls; and 
 a plurality of openings positioned adjacent the plurality of sidewalls and extending between the first and second end walls, 
 wherein the inner surface of the second end wall is a continually curved surface extending from the wheel back of the centrifugal fan to the plurality of openings; and 
 wherein the plurality of fan assemblies are rotationally arranged such that no direct line of sight exists from any point on a first centrifugal fan of a first fan assembly, through the plurality of openings in the housing of the first fan assembly and the plurality of openings in the housing of a second fan assembly, to any point on a second centrifugal fan of the second fan assembly. 
   
     
     
         11 . The fan array of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fan assemblies are mounted to a separation wall at a rotational orientation relative to one another, such that the plurality of openings of the housing of each of the plurality of fan assemblies are directed away from adjacent housings to reduce airflow interference. 
     
     
         12 . The fan array of  claim 10 , wherein every other fan assembly in the fan array has the plurality of openings positioned at a similar vertical or axial distance from a separation wall to further reduce airflow interference between adjacent fan assemblies. 
     
     
         13 . The fan array of  claim 10 , wherein the wheel back of the centrifugal fan defines an airflow surface having a conical, frusto-conical, or truncated dome-shaped profile to guide airflow towards the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         14 . The fan array of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of fan assemblies further includes an electric motor positioned at least partially within an interior region defined by the wheel back of the centrifugal fan, reducing an axial length of each fan assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The fan array of  claim 14 , wherein the electric motor is an axial flux motor. 
     
     
         16 . A fan array, comprising:
 a plurality of fan assemblies arranged in an array, each fan assembly including:   a centrifugal fan;   a housing enclosing the centrifugal fan, the housing defining a plurality of openings for directing an airflow exiting the housing; and   wherein every other fan assembly in the array includes an extension configured to position the plurality of openings at a similar vertical or axial distance from a separation wall, thereby further reducing airflow interference between adjacent fan assemblies.   
     
     
         17 . The fan array of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fan assemblies are mounted to the separation wall at a rotational orientation relative to one another, such that the plurality of openings of the housing of each of the plurality of fan assemblies are directed away from adjacent housings. 
     
     
         18 . The fan array of  claim 16 , wherein a wheel back of the centrifugal fan defines an airflow surface having at least one of a conical, frusto-conical, or truncated dome-shaped profile. 
     
     
         19 . The fan array of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of fan assemblies further includes an electric motor positioned at least partially within an interior region defined by the wheel back of the centrifugal fan. 
     
     
         20 . The fan array of  claim 19 , wherein the electric motor comprises an axial flux motor.