OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifugal drive device for automatic opening
of fan louvers, among those commonly used for ventilating large hangars, such as those
used for raising animals.
[0002] It is characterised by a special design of the device based on the use of inertial
masses that exert in their rotation motion a centrifugal force transmitter by cranks
to an axially displaceable plate.
[0003] This second plate is guided and by means of a rod, which is disengaged from the rotation
motion by means of bearings, it pushes the central louver, which in turn with a common
guide opens all the remaining louvers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Large fans are often provided with blinds comprised of louvers or similar means of
closing the fan housing when the fan is stopped.
[0005] These louvers prevent air, dirt and even animals from entering when the fan is stopped.
[0006] The louvers are usually installed in the same structure that acts as a casing and
support for the fan. Auxiliary devices for the correct operation of the fan are usually
installed in this structure.
[0007] The electric power line for the fan impelling motor arrives at this assembly.
[0008] When the fan is turned on it impels the air, establishing a pressure difference between
the inlet and outlet.
[0009] It is necessary that the louvers open when the fan is turned on in order to allow
the air to pass; otherwise, the difference in pressure caused by the fan could damage
the louvers or even the electric motor as there would not be enough refrigeration
to dissipate the heat generated.
[0010] The louvers can be opened manually, by additional driving means or using the motion
of the fan.
[0011] The first option is not desirable, as in the case of an oversight or mistake the
aforementioned damage may occur and the air would not pass.
[0012] Moreover, it should be considered that these types of fans are usually located in
inaccessible places, such as the highest areas of the hangars.
[0013] The second option is feasible, but requires the inclusion of an additional driving
device, resulting in increased likelihood of malfunctions, greater cost of the equipment
and increased complexity on the whole.
[0014] The last option is common and several driving means are known that use the centrifugal
force exerted by moving elements that turn together with the fan.
[0015] One of the first Patents to describe a fan louver-driving device is US Patent 4,217,816.
[0016] This document describes a device employing two masses attached to either end of a
bar by two arms capable of opening by pivoting about said end.
[0017] In turn these arms are connected to a connecting rod that links to a second small
plate that may move axially.
[0018] As the first bar turns together with the fan it forces the masses to move with it
so that the centrifugal force makes them open, moving the plate in an axial sense.
[0019] The fully open position implies a position of the connecting rods that is perpendicular
to the shaft, where the axial force tends to zero.
[0020] This position of zero force implies that the final position of the plate is not one
of full extension but instead an intermediate point of equilibrium that can cause
significant vibrations.
[0021] The initial position is restored by a spring.
[0022] Patent DE3739871 describes a fan with a casing such that its blades establish a closing
when stopped.
[0023] The closed position is maintained by springs the resistance of which is overcome
by inertial forces when the normal rotation speed is attained.
[0024] When the fan stops the air passage is again interrupted as the closing position is
restored by the springs.
[0025] A later state of the art is determined by Patent EP489466.
[0026] This patent describes a centrifugal impulsion device applied to fan louvers.
[0027] In this device a certain number of inertial masses are installed in the elbows of
two rods connecting two plates, one joined to the fan and another axially displaceable
with respect to the first.
[0028] Initially, with the fan stopped, the lovers are closed with the aid of a spring that
keeps the plates separated.
[0029] As the fan turns the masses, somewhat distanced from the shaft, are separated by
action of the centrifugal force such that as they reach the elbow of the connecting
rods there is a component of the tension that tends to make the plates approach each
other.
[0030] This component overcomes the action of the spring and the force required to open
the louvers.
[0031] In this type of devices the mass associated to the spring is not balanced in all
positions and the coaxial arrangement of the plates is not ensured against the large
forces applied by the inertial masses.
[0032] These two disadvantages lead to a device that can cause strong vibrations that are
not easily compensated.
[0033] Patent no. EP563875, posterior, is an improvement of the first designs described
in the aforementioned US Patent 4,217,816.
[0034] These improvements are mainly based on the constitution of each part, as well as
on the connection means between them in order to achieve a greater stability.
[0035] However, the kinetic scheme is still the same, as the impulsion force is greatest
at the start but least and tending to zero once open.
[0036] The present invention describes a driving device that overcomes previously known
designs of the state of the art by using a special simple, sturdy, stable, balanced
configuration with an improved axial impulsion capacity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] The present invention relates to a centrifugal drive device for automatically opening
the louvers of a fan and which therefore does not require an auxiliary motor.
[0038] The fans for which it is designed comprise an outer casing which surrounds the fan
and which in turn supports the drive motor and the traction means.
[0039] The side that is installed on the outside of the hangar is covered by a set of horizontal
louvers that pivot about a horizontal shaft that is slightly separated from the centre
of mass, so that they tend to remain closed.
[0040] The louvers pivot about a horizontal shaft by means of lateral clips capable of turning
that hold them in place.
[0041] The vertical alignment of the louvers is connected by a common guide. Between this
guide and each louver is an intermediate connecting rod in charge of defining a single
degree of freedom in the opening of all louvers.
[0042] At a central point and therefore one near the fan shaft there is provided an impulsion
rod.
[0043] This rod pushes on one of the clips such that when this clip opens the others open
as well, due to the guide or guides.
[0044] The rod impulsion is what is achieved by the device object of the invention.
[0045] The device object of the invention is installed in the fan shaft such that it turns
together with the impulsion of the motor.
[0046] The fan rotation causes a force to act on inertial masses that is used to make the
louvers open.
[0047] This objective is achieved by the special design of its component parts and the kinetic
scheme on which it is based.
[0048] The device comprises two plates, a main plate solidarily joined to the fan and fixed
with respect to it, and a second, mainly rectangular plate that can move axially with
respect to the first one by virtue of four guides, each of which is at a corner of
the rectangle.
[0049] Taking the fan as a fixed reference, the support plate can be referred to as the
fixed plate and the axially sliding plate can be referred to as the moving plate,
keeping in mind that the reference is subject to a rotation about the fan shaft so
that there are inertial forces acting on the masses of this system.
[0050] The four guides allow the axial displacement between the plates, where in turn the
guides show their main planes parallel.
[0051] The main plate extends its greater sides beyond the moving plate, on the ends of
which are corresponding elbows with a joint that can turn about a shaft parallel to
the minor sides.
[0052] In this joint pivots a crank that, while in the resting position when the two plates
are nearest to each other, has one arm parallel to the rotation axis and another perpendicular
to it and located between the two plates.
[0053] The outer arm of the crank, which is parallel to the main rotation axis, is provided
on its end with an inertial mass that during rotation suffers the action of a centrifugal
force in a radial sense.
[0054] The other arm, located between the plates, is provided on its end with a roller inside
a groove common to the roller of the opposite crank.
[0055] This groove is perpendicular to the main rotation axis and defines a cam in which
the two rollers are the followers.
[0056] The centrifugal force acts on all separate elements of the main axis and to a greater
extent the greater the diameter and its mass.
[0057] The materials used for this device are lightweight, so that the inertial mass placed
on the ends of the crank present dominating forces with respect to those of for example
the rest of the arm that supports these masses.
[0058] The action of the centrifugal force tends to separate the inertial masses, rotating
the cranks about the axis defined by the joint of the fixed plate on which it is secured.
[0059] As the cranks open the opposite ends of the cranks describe an arc about the joint
that can be broken down into two projections, an axial one and one radial or perpendicular
to the axis of rotation of the device.
[0060] The axial displacement pushes the moving plate to separate it, while the radial displacement
simply implies a sliding of the roller inside the groove of the moving plate which
houses it.
[0061] The two cranks open simultaneously as the four guides that keep the moving plate
parallel to the fixed plate impose a single degree of freedom to the entire device.
[0062] The full opening of the cranks is achieved when the rollers reach the end of the
race in the groove or cam of the moving plate.
[0063] In this position the two arms of the crank are at an approximate angle of π/4 radians,
respectively positive and negative, with respect to the main rotation axis.
[0064] Ensuring the correct value of each mass is enough to achieve the dynamic equilibrium
of the entire assembly, so that no further adjustment or maintenance is necessary.
[0065] In the initial position the centrifugal force acts perpendicularly to the arm and
therefore achieves a maximum momentum of rotation.
[0066] In the final position the angle encompassed reduces to an extent the projection of
the inertial force tangent to the rotation about the joint; however, because of its
greater distance from the axis the greater modulus of the centrifugal force compensates
its smaller projection.
[0067] The axial displacement of the moving plate carries with it the pushing rod that opens
the central louver and with it the other louvers.
[0068] The device rotation is disengaged in the rod union by the presence of a bearing placed
at the union with the moving plate.
[0069] As at the start the fan gradually increases its speed until it reaches the nominal
rotation speed the push also increases gradually.
[0070] After the louvers have opened the centrifugal forces keep the masses separated without
relative motion, so that no work is performed.
[0071] The only energy dissipated is that due to the aerodynamic drag in the rotation of
the device.
[0072] When the fan stops the louvers recover their initial closed position by the action
of gravity, and these push the moving plate until the masses once again are next to
the moving plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0073] The present descriptive memory is complemented by a set of drawings which illustrate
the preferred example of embodiment and in no case are limitations of the invention.
[0074] Figure 1 shows a scheme of a side view of the assembly formed by the fan, the centrifugal
drive device, the louvers and the opening guides when the operator is resting.
[0075] Figure 2 shows a scheme of the side view of the assembly formed by the fan, the centrifugal
drive device, the louvers and the opening guides when the operator is rotating at
the nominal speed.
[0076] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the centrifugal drive device for the lovers
of the fan plus the push rod in its resting position.
[0077] Figure 4 shows a plan view of the centrifugal drive device for the lovers of the
fan plus the push rod in its resting position.
[0078] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of centrifugal drive device for the lovers of the
fan plus the push rod in the open position when operating at the nominal speed.
[0079] Figure 6 shows a plan view of the centrifugal drive device for the lovers of the
fan plus the push rod in an open position when operating at the nominal speed.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0080] In view of the above, the present invention consists of a centrifugal drive device
for the automatic opening of fan louvers.
[0081] Figures 1 and 2 show the same fan with its casing and louvers corresponding to the
stopped fan position and the nominal rotation speed position respectively.
[0082] On the right side of the figure is shown the alignment of the louvers (7) in the
same position.
[0083] This position is secured by a vertical guide (5) connected to each of the louvers
by intermediate connecting rods (6).
[0084] Each louver (7) turns about a horizontal axis displaced from its centre of gravity
so that the action of gravity makes it close.
[0085] The louvers (7) open by the pushing action of a pushing rod (4) that in turn is pushed
by the centrifugal device (3) object of this invention.
[0086] The centrifugal device (3) is in charge of pushing the louvers (7) through the pushing
rod (4). This pushing rod (4) also makes the device (3) recover its original position
by action of the weight of the louvers (7) that tend to close.
[0087] The centrifugal device (3) is installed in the central part (1) of the fan, from
where extend the vanes (2), being integrally joined to the fan and rotating together
with it.
[0088] The device (3) is provided with two plates, a fixed plate (3.1) and a moving plate
(3.2), taking as a fixed reference the central rotating core of the fan (1).
[0089] The fixed plate (3.1) connects to the central core (1) of the fan by front anchoring
means (3.1.1) that secure it and maintain it firmly in place against the inertial
and axial stresses it must withstand.
[0090] This fixed plate (3.1) extends laterally as elbowed ends in which is provided a joint
(3.1.2) about which pivot two cranks (3.4).
[0091] Additionally, on the rear of the fixed plate (3.1) are provided four guides (3.3)
by way of rods parallel to the main axis that form a rectangle in an elevation view.
[0092] It is inside these four guides (3.3) where the moving plate (3.2) slides, held by
four bushings (3.2.3), one on each corner of the rectangular moving plate (3.2), so
that they ensure at all times that said plate (3.2) remains parallel to the fixed
plate (3.1) without preventing axial displacement.
[0093] The front part of the moving plate (3.2) opposite the fixed plate (3.1) has a groove
(3.2.1) centred and parallel to the greater sides of the moving plate (3.2).
[0094] Between the fixed plate (3.1) and the moving plate (3.2) is located one end of each
crank (3.4). At this end it is provided with a roller (3.4.2) internal of the groove
(3.2.1), determining a linear sliding motion between the end of the crank (3.4) and
the moving plate (3.2).
[0095] The other arm of the crank (3.4) is at an angle of π/4 to the inner arm and is provided
at its end with a mass (3.4.1).
[0096] With the rotation of the assembly this mass (3.4.1) tends to open the arm, turning
the crank (3.4).
[0097] The rotation of the crank (3.4) about the joint (3.1.2) implies the rotation of the
inner end and therefore of the roller (3.4.2) inside the groove (3.2.1) of the moving
plate (3.2).
[0098] The arc described by the roller (3.4.2) has two projections, one radial with respect
to the rotation axis of the fan, and another axial, so that the former implies an
internal sliding in the groove (3.2.1) in which it is housed towards the outside,
and the second an axial displacement that pushes the moving plate (3.2) so that it
separates from the fixed plate (3.1).
[0099] This separation is used to push the louvers (7) by means of the intermediate rod
(4).
[0100] The rotation of the device (3) is disengaged from the louvers (7) by a bearing (3.2.2)
located on the rear side of the moving plate (3.2).
[0101] The kinetic assembly formed by the fixed plate (3.1), the moving plate (3.2) and
the cranks (3.4) allow only one degree of freedom, represented by the axial displacement
of the moving plate (3.2) and that determines uniquely the rotation of the cranks
(3.4) with respect to the joint (3.1.2).
[0102] Figures 5 and 6 shows the greatest separation of the moving plate (3.2) and therefore
the greatest opening of the cranks (3.4).
[0103] In this position one can see that the masses (3.4.1) continue to exert a couple on
the crank (3.4) that tends to open it more, so that the push is maintained in all
positions.
[0104] The essence of this invention is not affected by changes in the materials, shape,
size and arrangement of its component elements, described n a non-limiting manner
that should suffice for its reproduction by an expert.