Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fan mounting assembly has a mount, a ball member, and a support. The support is disposed within a vertical opening of the ball member and is coupled to the ball member. The mounting assembly may further comprise a wedge driven between an interior surface of the ball member and an exterior surface of the support in order to prevent movement of the support within the ball member. The mount has a mounting portion and a socket portion. The socket portion has a tapered interior surface. The tapered surface may have a constant angle. The ball member and support are disposed within the socket portion such that an outer surface of the ball member rests upon the tapered surface of the socket portion. The tapered surface may have features configured to prevent rotation of the ball member within the socket portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 rotatable 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 rotatable 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.