Abstract: A propeller-type fan including a pressure housing for improving air flow past a motor which powers the fan.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan blade assembly includes a hub, a pitch-adjusting assembly, a fan blade, and an actuator. The pitch-adjusting assembly includes a first element rotatable on a first axis and a second element rotatable on a second axis. The first element presents an elongated pitch pin. The second element defines an elongated pitch slot receiving the pitch pin. The fan blade is coupled to one of the elements for rotation therewith. The actuator is coupled to the other of the elements for rotation therewith. When the actuator rotates the element to which it is coupled, the element to which the fan blade is coupled is rotated via the pin/slot arrangement, thereby adjusting the pitch of the fan blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling an electric motor is provided. The enclosure is adapted to house the internal components of an electric motor and protect the internal components of the electric motor from an external environment. The enclosure can be the actual shell of an electric motor or a separate housing. A thermoelectric cooling device is disposed between the interior of the enclosure and the external environment. An electric current is delivered to the thermoelectric cooling device to facilitate the transfer of heat from the enclosure interior to the external environment, thereby cooling the enclosure interior.

Abstract: A segmented base for supporting a column in a generally upright position. The base includes a plurality of individual base members couplable to one another by positioning base members adjacent one another and shifting base members relative to one another. When coupled to one another, the base members cooperatively defining a base channel for receiving the column.

Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.

Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.