Abstract: A fluid moving device (100) includes a rotatable assembly (101), and a plurality of fan blades (102-04) disposed circumferentially around and extending outward from rotatable assembly (101), at least one of plurality of fan blades (102-04) includes shape memory alloy. The fan blade which includes shape memory alloy transforms into a predetermined shape memory state when the fan blade experiences a predetermined temperature which may be as a result of a predetermined temperature of surrounding fluid passing over fan blades (102-04) when rotation of rotatable assembly (101) is at a given speed. The shape memory state increases or decreases volume flow of surrounding fluid when rotatable assembly (101) is rotating at substantially a constant speed. The speed is substantially constant which limits noise generated from fluid moving (100) device while volume flow rate of the fluid moving device is being changed.

Abstract: An impeller having flexible impeller blades with a stiffness which allows the blades to flex into a backward-curved impeller configuration at the maximum intended rotational speed of operation, and to return to a more radial blade configuration at lower rotational speeds, thereby enabling efficient operation at a broad range of rotational speeds.

Abstract: A helicopter blade assembly for permitting rapid forward flight in a helicopter having separate means for providing a forward impetus. The assembly has a set of rotatable blades attached to a substantially vertical mast. These blades slope downward near to their distal ends, thereby creating an inverted disk virtual air foil when the blades are rapidly rotated by the mast. In a preferred embodiment the camber of the blades and, therefore, the shape of the virtual air foil is controllable.

Abstract: A main rotor is provided for use on a model helicopter. The main rotor includes rotor blades having an inboard section and an outboard section. The inboard section includes a higher camber, thin, wide airfoils, and greater pitch and camber relative to the outboard section. The outboard section includes an average chord length that is less than the chord length of the inboard section, The rotor blades also include a blade body that is semiflexible to bend during a crash landing of the model helicopter.

Abstract: A rotating umbrella includes a canopy which serves a fan. The umbrella canopy is formed by a plurality of segmented petals extending radially outwardly in a fan-like fashion, and connected to a hub mounted on a shaft. The shaft includes a drive shaft member coupled to a second shaft member which connected to the hub at its upper end, wherein the drive shaft member is powered by a motor such that it rotates and operatively engages the second shaft member to rotate the hub and the petals of the canopy. The motor and the drive shaft both mounted on a base plate on the ground to stabilize the umbrella. A cooling breeze is produced when the petals are rotated to deter flying insects and to shield a person setting beneath the umbrella from the elements.

Abstract: A table umbrella apparatus including a tubular support member, a hub rotatably mounted at an end of the tubular support member, a fan extending radially outwardly of the hub so as to be in the form of a table umbrella, and a motor connected to the hub for rotating the fan about a longitudinal axis of the tubular support member. A shaft is connected to the motor and is connected to the hub. The shaft extends longitudinally along an interior of the tubular support member. The shaft is supported by bearings interior of the tubular support member. A base is connected to the bottom of the tubular support member so as to support the tubular support member in a vertical orientation. A table is supported around the tubular support member in a horizontal plane. The fan has a plurality of fan blades. Each fan blade has a wire frame having one end connected to the hub and extending outwardly therefrom and a covering extending over the wire frame.

Abstract: A decorative wind device that rotates about a central point. The axis of rotation can vary depending upon several factors including the direction of the wind and the speed or intensity of the wind. The device includes multiple strips of flexible, lightweight material that are connected at a common point at one end (the top of the device); the bottom ends of the strips are not connected at a common point but are, instead, linked to multiple concentric connecting rings made of, for example, sections of connecting material such as wire. The strips are positioned at an angle that places them in an optimum position to be blown by the wind. The resulting device, when hung outdoors or in any other area that has a source of wind, requires very little wind current to cause it to rotate. Further, because of the lightweight, flexible material used for the strips, the strips bend when the wind blows upon them, deforming the device into a pleasing, rounded shape approaching the shape of a sphere.

Abstract: A fan for a vacuum cleaner has a fan housing, motor and impeller. The fan housing has an inlet and outlet. The impeller has a hub and multiple flexible blades. This flexible blade fan provides better air performance, less noise, better durability, and easier impeller installation than conventional vacuum cleaner fans.

Abstract: Windmill (10) having a plurality of hydrodynamic, folding blades (12, 14, 16 and 18) secured to a hub (64). The blades are propelled by wind current such that the windmill rotates about a central axis of a shaft (20) on which a hub (64) is journalled. Each folding blade extends radially from the hub and includes a lower blade portion (24) attached to the hub and an upper blade portion (22) pivotally attached to the lower blade portion. The lower blade portion includes a hydrodynamic surface extending from a first edge(43) and terminating at a trailing edge (42). The upper blade portion is hydrodynamically contoured so as to form a nose cone (44). An apex of the nose cone forms a leading edge (40) of the upper blade portion that is opposite a trailing edge (41).

Abstract: A ceiling fan blade assembly which includes an annular hub structured for fixed securement to a fan motor for rotation therewith, and a pair of blade frames extending radially outwardly from opposite sides of the hub. The hub includes a base and a sidewall defining a cavity. Each blade frame is of a generally arcuate shape, and includes a flexible elongate tube that is connected to the hub by a joint. Each blade frame also includes a portion of a single continuous cord that extends from the hub cavity internally through the joint and elongate tube, and extends from the end of the elongate tube exteriorly back to the hub, where it enters the hub cavity through a pitch adjusting member connected to the hub. The single continuous cord extends throughout the assembly and between the blade frames such that the arcuate shape of both blade frames can be selectively varied in a substantially uniform manner by adjusting the tension in the cord.

Abstract: An improved blade for a ceiling fan including a blade frame and a blade plate, wherein the blade frame is a hollow circular frame composed of a male member and a female member engaged therewith. The blade members are made from injection molded plastic, and secure a blade plate therebetween.

Abstract: A windmill includes a hub assembly (13) connected to a shaft (3) and having a plurality of blades (6) extending therefrom. Each blade comprises an inner section (6a) hingeably connected to a hub member (14) along a first axis (8) and an outer section (6b) hingeably connected to the inner portion along a second hinge axis (7) extending from a point on the trailing edge (11) of the blade adjacent the first hinge axis to a point on the leading edge (12) remote from the first hinge axis. The blades are resiliently biased towards a rest position wherein the inner section of each blade lies in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the blades and the outer sections extend outwardly in a plane at an angle to the plane of the inner section and at a pitch angle to the plane of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harnessing fluid energy from a fluid current and converting it into mechanical energy. The invention comprises a big wheel and a little wheel where the little wheel rotates about on axis parallel to but offset from an axis about which the big wheel rotates. The little wheel rotates within the big wheel. Flexible sails are fastened between masts of the big wheel and masts of the little wheel so that when the wheels rotate each sail is unfurled and extended during one phase of operation and said sail is folded upon itself during another phase of operation. When extended or stretched open, the sail derives power from the fluid current. When the sail is folded, it offers a reduced resistance to the fluid current into which said sail is moving.

Abstract: A ceiling fan blade is provided having a generally rigid unitary frame, with three areas for secure attachment to a conventional blade iron providing three points of attachment. A flexible, weather-resistant cover is removably secured to the frame by hook-and-loop fastening material. The attachment areas are angularly offset from the plane of the blade to increase the blade's angle of attack as it moves through the air during normal use.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a fan blade and a method for making a fan blade wherein the stresses within the blade material are substantially constant throughout the length of the blade and the unique construction of the blade reduces the concentration of loading on the blade material. Preferably, the blade is molded of a synthetic plastic material and includes a ribbed structure locating material offset from the concave convex configuration of the blade air flow portion such that the section modulus of blade sections from the air flow portion toward the root portion increases by increasing the distance of the blade material from the neutral bending axis in such a manner that no abrupt changes occur and the stresses imposed upon the blade material throughout its length are substantially constant.

Abstract: A fan mechanism with a fan impeller having flexible blades is shown. The fan impeller is used on a rotatable shaft which includes at least one piece of flexible belting and a plurality of elongate members carried about the shaft parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft for clamping the flexible belting in the approximate mid-region thereof whereby each piece of belting forms two fan blades. A retaining element located at either end of the plurality of elongate members positions the members equiangularly about the circumference of the shaft. Since one piece of belting is clamped in the mid-region to form two blades, the full strength of the belting is utilized to withstand the centrifugal forces generated during operation of the fan.

Abstract: A propeller formed from pliable sheet material with each blade being of looped configuration in plan view. An end segment of each blade is turned inwardly and attached to an inner segment of an adjacent blade at a point offset from the propeller hub portion. A blade root of each blade is of reduced width and extends between a blade inner segment and the propeller hub portion which is apertured to receive a motor output shaft having frictionally engaged disks thereon which oppositely abut the hub portion for shaft attachment purposes.

Abstract: A cooling fan for a powered vehicle, adapted for automotive use, and having a hub and a plurality of radial fan blades made integral therewith of synthetic resin material, the fan blade being characterized by provision of a transverse cross section through a limited area of the blade. The transverse cross section is contoured under a condition in which rate of continuous thickness change between a middle point and the leading edge in the transverse cross section is regulated relative to a thickness of the middle point so that the ratio of the thickness of the leading edge divided by the thickness of the middle point falls in a range of from 1.0 to 1.5 while another rate of continuous thickness change between the middle point and the trailing edge in the transverse cross section is similarly regulated so that another similar ratio falls in a range of from 0.7 to 1.2. The middle point is locationally determined by a distance from the leading edge to the middle point.

Abstract: A fan blade assembly having a spider shaped or formed from rod, wire or bar stock.

Abstract: A cooling fan for an automotive vehicle includes a spider having arms projecting from a hub. Rivets attach blades and reinforcing plates to each of the arms, and each of the rivets extends through the reinforcing plate, the blade, and the corresponding arm. Each blade has a depressed portion defining a rim circumscribing the depressed portion, and the corresponding plates have a depression defining a flange which is adapted to engage the rim when the blade is installed on its corresponding arm. The contour of the plate is different from the contour of the blade, but the rivet forces the plate to assume the contour of the blade when the plate and the blade are installed on the arm. Accordingly, the plate is preloaded to thereby transmit bending forces to the rim which would normally be taken by the portion of the blade adjacent the rivet.

Abstract: A sheet metal construction for a fan spider. The spider arms each carry an integral rib running centrally along the arm and each rib is flat on its upper surface to mount a fan blade. The novelty of the invention resides in canting forwardly the spider arms. Such canting reduces certain stresses in the fan, thereby reducing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: The combination with a flexible bladed fan of a vibration isolator coaxially attached to the fan. The isolator comprises a first rigid support attached to the fan, a second rigid support adapted for connection to the fan driver, and a resilient member intermediate and arranged to transmit torque between the first and second supports while dampening vibrations. The second support includes means for aligning the isolator coaxially with the fan and fan driver and the first and second supports are positioned coaxially with respect to each other.

Abstract: A flexible fan which automatically reduces its pitch in response to increased rotation speed includes a hub having an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly therefrom. Each blade has a leading surface, a root portion joined to the hub, a tip portion, leading and trailing edges, and a relatively stiff leading portion joined to a relatively flexible trailing portion by a relatively narrow hinge zone which extends diagonally across the blade from generally the trailing edge of the root portion to generally the leading edge of the tip portion. A pair of stiffening ribs are provided on the leading surface of the leading blade portion which define a triangle with its base joining the hub and its apex extending toward the tip portion, one rib being adjacent and generally parallel with the hinge zone, and the other rib being spaced from and generally parallel with the leading edge.

Abstract: An automotive cooling fan having flexible, resilient blades which decamber with increasing rotational speed of the fan, the general curvature of the blades being formed by a multiplicity of spaced, generally radially extending bends in the blades; in preferred embodiments the blades have configuration resulting from said bends in which the general radius of blade curvature of the blades increases and the chord angle of the blades decreases from the blade roots to the blade tips.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment a hollow armature core is rotatably mounted in a water main, and is caused to rotate by water pressure applied against flexible sensing vanes, which are affixed in an axial bore in the armature core. Rotational speed of the armature is determined by the flow rate or pressure of the water in the main, fluctuations in such pressure causing corresponding flexure and angular variation in the vanes, thereby to effect rotation of the armature at a constant speed. The generating unit incorporating the unique rotor becomes an integral part of the existing closed water conveyance system.

Abstract: A sheet metal fan exhibiting special utility as a radiator fan for an internal combustion engine. A spider carries the blades on its arms, the arms each having a radially extending stiffening rib in opposed relation to a complementary rib in its blade to thereby form a tube where the stiffening ribs are radially coextensive. The stiffening rib on each blade intersects a continuous, blade stiffening channel.

Abstract: A flexible fan blade construction of the type wherein a decamber limiter is carried by each spider arm and bears against one side of its associated fan blade to thereby limit flexing (decamber) thereof. According to this invention, the decamber limiter terminates short of the heel of each fan blade. High stress concentrations due to contact between the heel edge of each fan blade and its associated decamber limiter are avoided by this novel construction.

Abstract: A sheet metal fan exhibiting special utility as a radiator fan for an internal combustion engine. A spider carries the blades on its arms, the arms each having a radially extending stiffening rib in opposed relation to a complementary rib in its blade to thereby form a tube where the stiffening ribs are radially coextensive. The stiffening rib on each blade intersects a continuous, blade stiffening channel.

Abstract: A flexible bladed automotive cooling fan comprising biasing members biasing both the upstream and downstream sides of th blades including a root portion of the upstream biasing member extending beyond the remainder of both biasing members, the blade thereby having a substantially increased natural frequency and a reduced amplitude of vibration at resonance as well as an improved airfoil configuration.

Abstract: A fan blade construction for an automobile cooling system. The twist angle of the blade, as measured by the rotation of an imaginary line joining the leading and trailing edges, varies linearly or non-linearly along the length of the blade, the leading edge of the blade is rigid and the trailing edge of the blade is flexible. In another embodiment, the fan blade is resiliently biased against a portion of its mounting arm to inhibit flutter.

Abstract: A radiator cooling fan assembly is disclosed for use in trucks and other large vehicles. The heavy duty assembly includes a pair of hubs having radially extending arms with blades extending between aligned pairs of hub arms. The arms of one hub are substantially shorter than the arms of the other hub. In addition, the either hub may include either an enlarged aperture in its central portion or webbing between its arms or both.

Abstract: A fan blade, secured to an arm of the fan, extends radially outwardly beyond the arm and is secured to the arm by a plurality of rivets, a continuous circular rib being formed about the radially outermost rivet, the rib comprising on one side of the blade a groove having a depth and a cross-sectional radius equal to the blade material thickness.

Abstract: An improved radiator cooling fan has a substantially planar mounting hub and individually twisted blades extending radially therefrom. Each blade includes reinforcing edges along a portion thereof to enhance durability and lengthen useful service life.

Abstract: A flexible bladed fan comprising blade assemblies having a reinforcing member contacting each blade along the leading portion thereof, the blade and reinforcing member spaced apart at a gap behind the leading portion and contacting again at a second position behind the gap, the reinforcing member biasing the blade in a downstream direction at the second position.

Abstract: A flexure for connecting the root end of a rotor end of a rotor blade to a rotor hub in a bearingless rotor assembly. The flexure inherently induces a change in pitch angle in accordance with a change in flap angle. The flexure, which may form an integral portion of the rotor blade, is constructed of a composite material made of fibers secured to one another by a bonding agent. The fibers are arranged in two sets. The variation of the blade pitch angle in accordance with the blade flap angle is accomplished by either varying the number of fibers between the two sets or varying the angle of each set to the longitudinal axis of the flexure, or both.

Abstract: A fan blade construction for an automobile cooling system. The twist angle of the blade, as measured by the rotation of an imaginary line joining the leading and trailing edges, varies linearly or non-linearly along the length of the blade, the leading edge of the blade is rigid and the trailing edge of the blade is flexible. In another embodiment, the fan blade is resiliently biased against a portion of its mounting arm to inhibit flutter.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower is disclosed wherein the impeller blades are made of a pliable, flexible, uniformly apertured sheeting made, for example, of plastic, affixed by a flexible support system, to a central rotatable shaft, so that as the rotatable shaft is driven, the apertured plastic sheet is moved centrifugally outwardly with the solid portions thereof assuming the shape of impeller blades. The impeller blades and support system therefor are made completely of thin, flexible, pliable, material, such as plastic, and the blades may assume forward curved, radial, or backward inclined configurations, during blower operation. The impeller blades cause air movement and, in turn, cause a scroll-shaped housing surrounding the impeller blades, also preferably made of plastic sheeting, to immediately inflate, directing the air to the desired location via ducts and the like, for heating, or cooling, or air conditioning or other purposes.