A system for controlling an environmental condition in a space includes one or more light fixtures, each including at least one sensor for sensing a condition of the space (such as temperature), a device for regulating the environmental condition of the space, and a controller for controlling the device based on the sensed condition. The device may comprise a fan, such as a ceiling fan or one forming part of a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) unit. Related systems and methods for controlling lighting are also disclosed.
A system for controlling thermal comfort in a space is provided with a variable mode of operation. The system may include a conditioner for conditioning air in the space, and a sensor for measuring a temperature in the space. A controller is provided for controlling the conditioner based on the temperature sensed by the sensor, and a fan for circulating air within the space is regulated based on the temperature sensed by the sensor. A related system for controlling a fan based on height is also provided, as is a system and method for easily and efficiently determining the height of a fan using a simple camera, such as one on a "smart" phone. A further aspect pertains to a controller, such as for example a portable handheld device, having a user interface adapted for suggesting an increase in a set point temperature of a thermostat based on the selected speed of the fan.
An environmental control system for a space including at least one window adapted for admitting light into the space. The system comprises an environmental controller (such as a fan, a light, an HVAC system, a window, a window covering, or any combination of the foregoing) for regulating an environmental condition, and at least one first sensor, such as a radiant heat flux sensor, for sensing an amount of radiant energy associated with the space and generating an output. A controller is provided for controlling the operation of the environmental controller based on the sensor output. Related methods are also disclosed.
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
F04D 25/08 - Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation
5.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION CONTROL BASED ON SENSED CONDITIONS AND RELATED METHODS
An apparatus is provided for controlling environmental conditions using a fan and a light in connection with a building having a space including a partition, such as a wall. The apparatus may include a control adapted for being mounted to the partition and for coordinating the control of the fan and the light based on a sensed condition, such as temperature or occupancy. Groups of like devices for controlling environmental conditions may be similarly controlled, such as using control. Control may also provide an indication of an operational state of the device(s) controlled by it, or provide for control based on a preference of one or more people upon detecting their presence. Related methods are also described.
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
A fan, such as a ceiling fan, includes a learning mode of operation. This learning mode may permit a user to input a desired speed for the fan for a given condition, such as ambient temperature, and adjustments for other conditions would be automatically determined based on the user input. A subsequent selection of fan speed at that condition (such as, for example, for a different user) or a different condition setting would also be obtained, either during initialization or later, and then used as an updated measure of the desired fan speed for the condition. Related methods of controlling the operation of a fan are also disclosed.
A fan includes a temperature sensor, such as a passive infrared sensor, for sensing temperature at a location remote from the fan, such as at a floor, ceiling, or wall, or simply external to the fan housing. This may avoid the influence of heat generated from components of the fan, such as the fan motor or controller for controlling the operation of the fan. A mounting arrangement for forming a connection between two parts, such as components of a fan, is also described.
A light fixture may include one or more light sources and one or more lenses for manipulating light provided by the light sources. The lenses may manipulate the direction of the light, light wavelength, dispersion pattern, or any other quality of the light. The lenses may be slidably removable from the light fixture to provide for easy exchange of one lens for another. This exchange of one lens for another may provide for rapid and easy changes to the light dispersion from the light fixture without requiring manipulation of the light sources themselves, especially in the case of exchanging a first lens with a first quality for a second lens with a second, different quality. In addition, a method of servicing the light fixture may include the provision of alternate lenses based on predetermined factors such as time, light degradation, environment of use, and the occurrence of specified events.
A fan may be designed for the strategic diversion of water through or around a housing enclosing a controller and/or a motor. The enclosure may include one or more paths for directing moisture away from the controller or the motor. For instance, the housing may include a gap between a support structure and the housing for preventing moisture from entering the housing. The housing may also include a hollow structure for directing moisture through the housing. Additionally, the housing may include one or more channels, raised walls, gutters, and shields for preventing fluid, such as liquid water, from entering an enclosure for the controller or motor.
F24F 7/06 - Ventilation with ducting systems with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan
F24F 7/10 - Ventilation with ducting systems with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan with air supply, or exhaust, through perforated wall, floor or ceiling
A fan mounting system (30) may include supplemental mounting components for installations where fan (10) will be located in a geographic region that encounters frequent seismic activity. These supplemental components may provide additional reinforcement and stability to fan (10), enabling fan (10) to remain secured to a ceiling or other structure during seismic events. Such a supplemental system may comprise cables (410) extending between and connecting the fan (10) to structures, such as ceiling joists (450). Related methods are also disclosed.
A system for providing thermal comfort for a person within a space comprising a plurality of interconnected zones, such as a single room in a residence, commercial establishment, or industrial location. At least one fan is positioned in each zone, which may be an overhead fan mounted to a ceiling common to two or more of the zones, and a sensor is provided for sensing a condition in at least one of the zones. A controller is adapted for controlling the fan in the at least one zone independent of another fan based on the sensed condition in the at least one zone including the controlled fan. Related aspects of a thermal comfort control system and methods are also disclosed.
A fan blade comprises an airfoil profile having a lower surface, an upper surface, a trailing edge, and a leading edge. The lower surface comprises a concave portion which is defined by a first ellipse. The upper surface comprises a convex portion which is defined by a second ellipse. The leading edge and the trailing edge are of a substantially convex shape and transition the concave shape of the lower surface to the convex shape of the upper surface. A maximum thickness of the airfoil profile is defined at a point along the airfoil profile proximal to the leading edge of the fan blade. A chord length is defined as a lineal distance between an outermost point of the leading edge and an outermost point of the trailing edge. The dimensions of the airfoil profile, including those of the first ellipse and second ellipse, are functions of the chord length.
A resilient hub assembly comprises a top plate, bottom plate, central hub, and outer spars. The central hub is coupled between the top plate and the bottom plate. The outer spars are coupled between the top plate and the bottom plate, and the outer spars are positioned in a circular arrangement about a common longitudinal axis of the top plate and the bottom plate. The resilient hub assembly is configured to be flexible. The top plate and/or the bottom plate may comprise cutouts, and/or the outer spars may be positioned as to allow a gap between the central hub and the outer spars to promote flexibility.
A fan blade comprising a root end, a blade region, and a transition region. Wherein each of the root end and blade region comprise a unique profile, and wherein the transition region comprises a profile which transitions the root end profile to the blade region profile. The root end profile comprises a substantially convex top surface, a substantially concave domed sector, and reliefs to allow for the root end to be coupled with a similarly shaped fan hub extrusion. The blade region profile comprises a substantially convex top surface and bottom surface which terminate at a leading edge and trailing edge. The blade region slopes upward along a length of the blade region and terminates at a curved tip.
An angled fan blade extension includes an attachment portion and an angled portion. The attachment portion is configured to facilitate securing the angled fan blade extension to the distal end of a fan blade. The angled portion is configured to extend from the distal end of the attachment portion, creating an angled extension relative to the fan blade. Adding angular fan blade extensions to fan blades may improve the airflow control, and thereby increase the utility and efficiencies of a fan.
A ceiling fan comprising: an EC motor to drive a plurality of fan blades, a motor controller configured to determine the rotor position using the back EMF and configured to energise the motor according to the rotor position and predetermined instructions. Also a method of controlling a ceiling fan.
H02P 6/18 - Circuit arrangements for detecting position without separate position detecting elements
H02P 6/00 - Arrangements for controlling synchronous motors or other dynamo-electric motors using electronic commutation dependent on the rotor positionElectronic commutators therefor
A fan comprises a rotatable hub assembly having an inner anchor assembly, a plurality of fan blades, a motor assembly, and a plurality of cables. The outer ends of the cables are coupled to the outer ends of the fan blades, and the inner ends of the cables are coupled to the inner anchor assembly. The inner anchor assembly may further include a disc-shaped plate and a plurality of inner anchor members to which the cables may be coupled. The inner anchor members may include a rear anchor portion and fore anchor portion, and these anchor portions may be angularly offset. A plurality of winglets and/or outer anchor members may be coupled to the outer ends of the fan blades to which the outer ends of the cables may be coupled. The outer ends of the cables may further comprise swaged tips outboard of the winglets and/or outer anchor members.
A fan comprises a rotatable hub, a plurality of fan blades coupled with the hub, and a plurality of air fences coupled with the fan blades. Each fan blade has a free end and an opposite end secured to the hub. The air fences are positioned at selected locations along the length of the fan blades, between the ends of the fan blades. Each air fence includes a fin, which may extend upwardly or downwardly from the fan blade. Each air fence may be formed of a resilient material and may be configured to allow the air fence to be snapped onto a fan blade. Each air fence may define an opening through which a fan blade may be inserted. One or more surfaces of the air fence may be contoured to complement a surface contour of an airfoil shaped fan blade.
A fan assembly comprises a hub and fan blades. The hub includes a plurality of sockets configured to receive complementary mounting blocks of the fan blades. The mounting blocks each include at least one tapered shoulder portion. The mounting blocks are each tapered along three dimensions. Each mounting block comprises a rear face seated against a complementary rear face of the corresponding socket and a front face that is exposed relative to the hub. A cap secures the fan blades to the hub. The fan assembly may also include one or more shrouds positioned about the fan blades. The one or more shrouds may be substantially straight cylinders, may be flared or bell- shaped, may comprise a cage, may have any other suitable configuration, or may be omitted altogether.
A fan system includes a motor, a rotatable hub, and a plurality of fan blades. Each of the fan blades includes a substantially rigid spine member, a resilient leading edge member, and a resilient trailing edge member. The leading edge member and trailing edge members are removably coupled with the spine member, such that different leading edge members and different trailing edge members may be chosen to customize the leading and trailing edges of the fan blades. Each fan blade may have more than one type of leading edge member or more than one type of trailing edge member. The leading edge member and trailing edge member may each be coupled with the spine member by urging the leading edge member and trailing edge member in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the spine member.
A fan system includes a motor, a rotatable hub, and a plurality of fan blades. The motor is coupled with the hub by a hollow drive shaft, such that the drive system of the fan system is gearless. The motor is controlled by a PFC-based control module, which is in communication with sensors that are configured to sense parameters associated with operation of the fan system. The control module is configured to react in certain ways to certain conditions detected by the sensors, such that the fan system uses feedback-based control algorithms. A remote control panel is in communication with the control module. The remote control panel is operable to display fault conditions detected by the sensors. Blade retainers prevent fan blades from falling when a fan blade breaks free from the hub. Pins prevent the hub from falling when the hub breaks free from the rotor.
A fan includes a hub, several fan blades, and a motor that is operable to drive the hub. A motor controller is in communication with the motor, and is configured to select the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub. The fan is installed in a place having a floor and a ceiling. An upper temperature sensor is positioned near the ceiling. A lower temperature sensor is positioned near the floor. The temperature sensors communicate with the motor controller, which includes a processor configured to compare substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The motor controller is thus configured to automatically control the fan motor to minimize the differences between substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The fan system may thus substantially destratify air in an environment, to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution within the environment.
A fan system includes a fan and a fan rotation speed control. The speed control is operable to command the fan to rotate at a speed selected from a certain range of rotation speeds. A fan oscillation detector may be coupled with the fan to detect oscillation of the fan as the speed control is operated to rotate the fan at various speeds among the range of fan rotation speeds. The fan oscillation detector may comprise an accelerometer or other device. Oscillation amounts detected by the oscillation detector are compared against each other or against an oscillation threshold value. A programmer device identifies fan rotation speeds at which the oscillation amount exceeds the threshold or is otherwise unacceptable, and programs the fan rotation speed control to prevent an operator from being able to select those speeds at which the oscillation amount exceeds the threshold or is otherwise unacceptable.
A fan system comprises a hub, a plurality of fan blades, a drive system, and a stationary tube. The hub is configured to rotate. The fan blades are mounted to the hub. The drive system comprises a rolatable hollow output shaft. The hollow output shaft is in communication with the hub, such that the drive system is operable to rotate the hub via the hollow output shaft. The stationary tube is inserted through the hollow output shaft. The stationary tube is configured to remain stationary as the hollow output shaft rotates. Wires and the like may be passed through the stationary tube, to reach an accessory mounted at the bottom of the stationary tube. The fan system may also include a detector, such as a heat detector, a smoke detector, or an accelerometer. The detector may power down the fan system in response to detecting certain conditions.
A fan comprises a hub, a plurality of fan blades, and a plurality of interface components. Each interface component is configured to mount at the first end of a corresponding fan blade. Each interface component is further configured to simultaneously engage an outer surface of the hub and the first end of the fan blade. For instance, the outer surface of the hub may be curved, and a hub-engaging edge of each interface component may be complementarily curved to provide a substantially continuous fit between the hub- engaging edge of each interface component and the curved outer surface of the hub. Each interface component may further comprise a resilient member configured to resiliently bear against the first end of a corresponding fan blade. In addition, each interface component may further comprise a sleeve configured to extend along a portion of the length of a corresponding fan blade.
A winglet includes a vertical member and a mounting member. The mounting member is configured to facilitate the mounting of the winglet to the tip of a fan blade. The vertical member is configured to extend perpendicularly relative the tip of a fan blade. A cuff extends from the vertical member to substantially cover at least a portion of the interface between the end of a fan blade and the vertical member. Adding winglets to fan blades may improve the aerodynamics of the fan blades, and thereby increase efficiencies of a fan.
A fan blade comprises an airfoil having an upper surface with region that has a generally elliptical curvature. In some examples, the lower surface has a convex region and a concave region. The curvature of the concave region corresponds with the generally elliptical curvature of the upper surface; while the curvature of the convex region is defined by a substantially constant radius. Some examples also include a trailing edge flap region, which may itself include a first flap portion and a second flap portion. When mounted to a rotating hub member fan, blades with elliptical curvatures may provide air movement at significant efficiencies.
A fan system comprises a fan, a bracket configured to mount to a ceiling structure, and a mounting assembly coupling the fan with the bracket. The mounting assembly comprises a fan mounting assembly secured to the fan; and a bracket mounting assembly secured to the bracket. The mounting assembly includes an elongate member extending between the fan mounting assembly and the bracket mounting assembly. The fan mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the fan axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the fan axis. The bracket mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the elongate member axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the elongate member axis. The bracket mounting assembly permits self- adjustment of the mounting assembly, to re-position the center of gravity of the fan system underneath the bracket after the fan axis orientation has been adjusted.
An angled fan blade extension includes an attachment portion and an angled portion The attachment portion is configured to facilitate securing the angled fan blade extension to the distal end of a fan blade The angled portion is configured to extend from the distal end of the attachment portion, creating an angled extension relative to the fan blade. Adding angular fan blade extensions to fan blades may improve the airflow control, and thereby increase the utility and efficiencies of a fan.
