Electrostatic control of air flow to the inlet opening of an axial fan
US8444754B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB03C2201/04
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An air moving apparatus includes an axial fan and an electrostatic device. The axial fan has a rotatable shaft defining a central axis of the axial fan, a plurality of blades secured to the shaft, and an air inlet opening. The electrostatic device is disposed immediately upstream of the air inlet opening of the axial fan, and includes a collector and an emitter. In one embodiment, the electrostatic device includes a cylindrical collector coupled to ground and has a central axis aligned with the central axis of the axial fan. The electrostatic device further includes a plurality of emitter wires coupled to a terminal of a direct current source and extending lengthwise within the cylindrical collector. During operation of the axial fan, the application of an electrical potential between an emitter and a collector causes ionic air movement radially outwardly away from a central axis of the axial fan.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.