Patent · US Expired

Plastic fans having improved fan ring weld line strength

US7168922B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by
12References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2004
Grant dateJan 30, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 10, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S415/915
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method to influence material flow during the injection molding of thermoplastic, polymeric ring type fans such that a major portion of the materials flowing in opposite directions preferably flow past one another, or collide at an angle relative to one another, rather than colliding at an 180 degree angle relative to each other to form weld lines. This flow bypassing results in better material mixing or integrating than merely allowing flow fronts to collide and cool. In one embodiment, a portion of the fan's ring is thickened in the weld line area to minimize the amount of material colliding at a 180-degree angle relative to each. Alternatively, at least one appendage could be added to the ring fan that will influence the material flow during molding conditions. Each appendage will be removed prior to introducing the ring fan to a cooling system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.