Ceiling fan with multiple motors

Abstract

A ceiling fan suspended from a mounting rod with multiple motors mounted to the mounting rod that drive more than one rotatable hub. A plurality of fan blades are coupled to the rotatable hubs and the blades rotate with the rotatable hubs.

Description

PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/204,854, filed May 5, 2004, and a continuation-in part of application Ser. No. 29/204,841 filed May 5, 2004, and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/204,842 filed May 5, 2004, and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/204,851 filed May 5, 2004, and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/204,850 filed May 5, 2004 and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/204,852 filed May 5, 2004.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH STATEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a ceiling fan. The invention is further directed to a ceiling fan comprising a plurality of motors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ceiling fans are well known as effective means for circulating air in enclosed spaces. They are employed chiefly in warm weather conditions for cooling and ventilating rooms. Ceiling fans are usually centered on the ceiling of a room and are typically operated to push air downward in the center of a room. In other words, the fan blades move in a counterclockwise direction, thereby resulting in the downward movement of air closer to the center of the fan, and an upward movement of air away from the center of the fan.

Certain ceiling fans may be fitted with a switch that switches the direction of the fan blades to a clockwise direction, i.e., they are reversible. This can help push the warmer air that is typically trapped near the ceiling back down into a room away from the center of the fan, thus “de-stratifying” the layers of warm air. As a result, the warm air is circulated to the floor of the room where it is needed, and the heating system does not overwork to warm the room.

Ceiling fans in the prior art typically comprise a single reversible motor that is capable of directing the flow of air in one of two directions at any given time depending on the rotational direction of the fan blades. In these fans, the reversible motor is mounted to a mounting rod and drives a central hub. Typically, a plurality of fan blades is coupled to and rotatable with, the central hub. Therefore, a ceiling fan whose blades are rotating in a counterclockwise direction will push air downward closer to the center of the fan, while a ceiling fan that is rotating in a clockwise direction will push air downward away from the center of the fan. In both of these scenarios, the movement of air is uni-directional. Although the unidirectional movement of air generated by a plurality of fan blades that are driven by a single motor provides satisfactory air circulation, a greater level of air circulation may be obtained by the presence of a plurality of motors that drive a plurality of hubs coupled to a plurality of fan blades.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a fan that is capable of providing improved air circulation compared to the fans in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides a fan comprising a mounting rod, a plurality of motors mounted to the mounting rod and driving a plurality of rotatable hubs, and a set of fan blades coupled to each rotatable hub and rotatable with its rotatable hub.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus comprising a mounting rod, a plurality of rotatable hubs rotatably mounted on the mounting rod, and a set of fan blades coupled to each rotatable hub.

An aspect of the invention is directed to a fan comprising a mounting rod, a plurality of rotatable hubs rotatably mounted on the mounting rod, wherein each of the rotatable hubs is driven by a motor that causes the rotatable hubs to rotate, and each rotatable hub is connected to a set of fan blades that is supported by its rotatable hub, and the set of fan blades rotates when its rotatable hub rotates.

A further aspect of the invention is directed to a system comprising a mounting rod, a plurality of rotatable hubs rotatably mounted on the mounting rod, a plurality of motors fixedly mounted to the mounting rod and coupled to the rotatable hubs and a set of fan blades supported by and rotated with each rotatable hub.

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of rotating a fan by spinning a first set of fan blades about an axis of rotation, and spinning a second set of fan blades about the same axis of rotation. Another aspect of the invention is directed towards the rotation of the first set of fan blades and the second of fan blades about an axis of rotation in the same direction. A further aspect of the invention is directed towards the rotation of the first and second set of fan blades about an axis of rotation in opposite directions.

An aspect of the invention is directed to a method of circulating air by spinning two sets of fan blades about an axis of rotation, wherein each set of fan blades is attached to its own rotatable hub, and each rotatable hub is connected to a mounting rod that forms the axis of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, exemplify the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from below of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged elevation view of the invention in FIG. 1 with the housing depicted in dotted lines to illustrate the placement of the motors within the housing.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view from above of the housing portion of the invention in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged perspective view from below of the housing portion of the invention in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a ceiling fan 10. The fan 10 comprises a hub 12, which includes a motor housing 14, a first rotatable hub 16 and a second rotatable hub 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 14 is mounted stationarily on a mounting rod 18 and the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 are rotatably mounted on the mounting rod 18. The first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 are independently mounted on the mounting rod 18. Therefore, the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 rotate independently of one another around an axis formed by the mounting rod 18. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a mounting cup 104 through which the fan 10 is mounted on the ceiling. In certain embodiments of the invention, the mounting cup 104 may contain electrical connections that transmit power to the fan 10 and facilitate its operation.

In the ceiling fan embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mounting rod 18 is also referred to as a down rod, which should be generally construed to refer to various components of a down rod assembly and cap, unless indicated otherwise. The fan 10 includes one or more fan blades. For convenience, a plurality of fan blades will be designated by reference number 28. Specifically, a set of fan blades attached to the first rotatable hub 16 is referred to as 28a, and a set of fan blades attached to the second rotatable hub 20 is referred to as 28b. The plurality of fan blades, 28a and 28b, extend radially from the motor housing 14. The plurality of fan blades 28a and 28b are coupled to and rotatable with the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 respectively.

Now referring to FIG. 2, each of the plurality of fan blades 28a and 28b is coupled to the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 respectively, via a blade mounting arm 22. The proximal end of the blade mounting arm 22 is connected to first rotatable hub 16 or the second rotatable hub 20, and the distal end of the blade mounting arm 22 connects to each of the plurality of fan blades 28a and 28b.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the hub 12 may comprise a light source 50. Typically the light source 50 is electrically powered. Such a device may be generally referred to as an electrical device. An electrical device is defined herein as a device powered by alternating current or direct current, for example, or any other conventional electrical power source. The light source 50 is not connected to the second rotatable hub 20, but is instead connected in a fixed manner to the mounting rod 18, i.e., not rotating relative to the rod 18. Therefore, the second rotatable hub 20 is rotatable relative to the light source 50. Conversely, when the light source 50 is mounted to and rotatably fixed to the mounting rod 18, the light source 50 may be rotatable relative to the second rotatable hub 20 if the mounting rod 18 is permitted to rotate. Furthermore, not all embodiments of the fan 10 comprise a light source 50. In some embodiments, the light source 50 is removable and a removable cap (not shown) can be connected in place of the light source 50 to hub 12.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show elevation views of the fan 10. The independent movement of the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the rotatable hubs 16 and 20 are positioned in such a way as to illustrate their ability to rotate independently from one another. In FIG. 2, the two sets of fan blades, 28a and 28b, are offset by 90° relative to one another. In FIG. 3, the two sets of fan blades, 28a and 28b are vertically aligned (non-offset) relative to one another.

FIG. 4 shows the placement of the first and second motors 32 and 34 within the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20, respectively. The first and second motors 32 and 34 are secured to the mounting rod 18. The motors 32 and 34 are arranged in a stack-wise arrangement as shown in FIG. 4 and are connected to the mounting rod 18 by a connecting mechanism 36. The first and second motors 32 and 34 are connected to the mounting rod 18 in a manner that allows them to freely rotate about the central axis of the mounting rod.

The rotation of the first and second motors 32 and 34 causes the rotation of the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 respectively, which in turn rotates the plurality of fan blades 28a and 28b that are attached to the rotatable hubs 16 and 20. Thus, by controlling the first and second motors 32 and 34, the rotation of the first and second rotatable hubs 16 and 20 about the mounting rod 18 can be selectively controlled. Both the speed of rotation and the direction of rotation, i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise rotation about the mounting rod, may be controlled. Furthermore, the direction in which the rotatable hubs 16 and 20 are rotating about the mounting rod 18 can be reversed manually.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the plurality of fan blades 28 are attached to the plurality of rotatable hubs 16 and 20 with a blade pitch of greater than 12 degrees. In other embodiments of the invention, the plurality of fan blades 28 are attached to the plurality of rotatable hubs 16 and 20 with a blade pitch of 20 degrees. The blade pitch governs the extent of air circulation provided by the rotation of the plurality of fan blades 28. Generally, the greater the blade pitch, the greater the extent of air circulation provided by the fan blades.

In FIG. 5, a power switch 42, is adapted to be coupled to a power source and to receive power from the power source. The power switch 42 is electrically coupled via leads 44 to the first and second motors 32 and 34 to transfer power therethrough.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from below of the housing 14 and the second motor 34. The blade mounting arm 22 connects one of the plurality of fan blades 28 (see FIGS. 2-3) to the second rotatable hub 20.

An embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus that comprises a mounting rod 18 and a plurality of rotatable hubs 16 and 20 rotatably mounted on the mounting rod 18 and two sets of fan blades, 28a and 28b, attached to each of the rotatable hubs 16 and 20.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system comprising a mounting rod 18, a plurality of rotatable hubs 16 and 20 rotatably mounted on the mounting rod 18, a plurality of motors 32 and 34 fixedly mounted to the mounting rod 18 and coupled to the rotatable hubs 16 and 20, and two sets of fan blades 28a and 28b supported by and rotated with the rotatable hubs 16 and 20.

A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of rotating a fan 10, comprising the steps of spinning a first set of fan blades 28a about an axis of rotation, and spinning a second set of fan blades 28b about the same axis of rotation. In an embodiment of the invention, the first set of fan blades 28a rotate about the axis of rotation in the same direction as the second set of fan blades 28b. In another embodiment of the invention, the first set of fan blades 28a rotate about the axis of rotation in the opposite direction from the second set of fan blades 28b. In an embodiment of the invention, the first set of fan blades 28a remains stationary, while the second set of fan blades 28b rotates about an axis of rotation. In another embodiment of the invention, the first set of fan blades 28a rotates about an axis of rotation, while the second set of fan blades 28b remains stationary.

In an embodiment of the invention, a first set of fan blades 28a is attached to a rotatable hub 16, and is rotated in a clockwise direction, and a second set of fan blades 28b is attached to a rotatable hub 20, and is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. In another embodiment of the invention, a first set of fan blades 28a is attached to a rotatable hub 16, and is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, and a second set of fan blades 28b is attached to a rotatable hub 20, and is rotated in a clockwise direction.

An aspect of the invention is also directed to a method of circulating air by rotating a fan comprising the steps of spinning a first set of fan blades 28a about an axis of rotation, and spinning a second set of fan blades 28b about the same axis of rotation. In an embodiment of the invention, the first set of fan blades 28a rotate about the axis of rotation in the same direction as the second set of fan blades 28b. In another embodiment of the invention, the first set of fan blades 28a rotate about the axis of rotation in the opposite direction from the second set of fan blades 28b.

While the invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Each of these embodiments, and obvious variations thereof, is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fan comprising,

a mounting rod;

a plurality of motors mounted to the mounting rod each driving a rotatable hub; and

a set of fan blades coupled to each rotatable hub and rotatable with its rotatable hub.

2. The fan of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motors are coupled in a stack-wise arrangement to the mounting rod.

3. The fan of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of motors drives a rotatable hub.

4. The fan of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motors are enclosed by a motor housing.

5. The fan of claim 4, wherein each set of fan blades extends radially from the motor housing.

6. The fan of claim 5, wherein each fan blade is connected to its rotatable hub via a blade mounting arm.

7. An apparatus comprising,

a mounting rod;

a plurality of rotatable hubs rotatably mounted on the mounting rod; and

a set of fan blades coupled to each rotatable hub and rotatable with its rotatable hub.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said rotatable hubs are driven by a plurality of motors.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the motors are enclosed by a motor housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a light source mounted below the motor housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light source receives power through the mounting rod.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light source is rotationally fixed.

13. A fan comprising,

a mounting rod;

a plurality of rotatable hubs rotatably mounted on the mounting rod, wherein each of the rotatable hubs is driven by an independent motor that causes its rotatable hub to rotate; and

a set of fan blades supported by each rotatable hub, wherein the set of fan blades rotates when its rotatable hub rotates.

14. The fan of claim 13, wherein the motors that drive the rotatable hubs are enclosed within a motor housing.

15. The fan of claim 13, wherein each set of fan blades is attached to its rotatable hub with a blade pitch of greater than 12 degrees.

16. The fan of claim 15, wherein each set of fan blades is attached to its rotatable hub with a blade pitch of 20 degrees.

17. A system comprising,

a mounting rod;

a plurality of rotatable hubs rotatably mounted on the mounting rod;

a plurality of motors fixedly mounted to the mounting rod and coupled to the rotatable hubs; and

a set of fan blades supported by and rotated with each rotatable hub.

18. A method comprising,

spinning a first set of fan blades about an axis of rotation, wherein the first set of fan blades is attached to a first rotatable hub; and

spinning a second set of fan blades about the same axis of rotation, wherein the second set of fan blades is attached to a second rotatable hub.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first set of fan blades and second set of fan blades rotate in the same direction about the axis of rotation.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first set of fan blades and second set of fan blades rotate in opposite directions about the axis of rotation.