NZ610277A - Fan assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A crop frost protection fan 1 when used for frost protection of a crop is provided with a shroud 2 in which the fan blades rotate for better efficiency in directing the blown air in a particular direction at the crop. The fan may be driven by a motor 12 and mounted on an articulated arm on a movable platform 4. The arm includes a first span and a second span 6 linked to the first span and movable with respect to the first span to adjust the angle between the spans to adjust the elevation of the fan and shroud. The arm enables adjustment of the elevation, lateral movement, and tilt angle of the fan and shroud so that the air stream from the fan can be directed at the desired position of the crop.

Description

Patents Form No. 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Fan Assembly I, Janice Atkinson, a New Zealand citizen, of 172 Taihape Road, RD9, Hastings 4179, New Zealand, hereby declare this invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: TITLE Fan Assembly.

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a fan assembly. A preferred form of the invention relates to a fan assembly for use in protecting crops from frost damage.

BACKGROUND It is known to use fans in the horticultural industry to prevent frost damage to crops by moving cold air as it collects around such crops. A typical prior art fan may be mounted on top of a fixed tower which extends from a concrete foundation. The fan has uncovered blades and at least a significant portion of the air driven by it cannot be conveniently directed to crops in need of frost protection. It is accordingly an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing this problem or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof, eg “comprises”, if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have further unspecified features. For example, a statement that an arrangement “comprises” certain parts does not mean that it cannot also, optionally, have additional parts.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a fan assembly when used in moving cold air impacting on a crop to provide a significant measure of protection against frost damage to such crop, the fan having a shroud and blades which can rotate within the shroud, the shroud being adapted to enable air driven by the blades to be adjustably aimed at a specific significant area of the crop, the assembly having a moveable arm adapted to enable adjustable raising and lowering of the shroud and blades, to enable adjustable movement of the shroud and blades laterally, and to enable the shroud and blades to tilt with respect to the arm to assist in directing air flow from the fan to the specific area of the crop, the arm having at least first and second spans adjacent to and linked to one another, the first span being adjacent ground level, the entire second span able to move with respect to the first span to cause adjustment of the angle between the two spans to adjust the elevation of the shroud and blades.

Preferably the arm is able to rotate with respect to a ground engaging base of the fan assembly.

Preferably the arm has a joint or joints adapted to enable it to fold and subsequently extend.

Preferably the fan assembly incorporates an engine or motor which powers movement of the arm.

Preferably the fan assembly comprises adjustably moveable stabilising feet adapted to provide stability to the fan assembly.

Preferably the fan assembly is portable.

Preferably the fan assembly has a draw bar to enable it to be towed by a vehicle.

Preferably the fan assembly is arranged within or alongside an area of outdoor crop and is activated with the shroud and blades adjustably positioned to blow air to a specific desired area of the crop to provide substantial protection against frost damage to that area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fan assembly; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of part of the fan assembly; Figure 3 is a side view of the fan assembly in a folded disposition; and Figure 4 is a side view of the fan assembly in an in-use disposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to figure 1, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a fan assembly 1 comprises a fan 2 mounted on a supportive base 3. The base 3 has a central part 4, stabilising legs 5, and a hydraulic arm 6. The arm 6 is connected to the base 3 at a pivot point 7. A motor vehicle draw bar 8 is attached to the base 3.

Referring to figure 2, the fan 2 comprises a hub 9 having a plurality of blades 10 (not shown in figure 1) disposed within a shroud 11. The hub 9 is rotatably connected to a fan engine 12. Fuel tanks (not shown) are removable for re-fuelling and for security when the assembly 1 is not in use.

The assembly 1 is portable and when in use is attached by the draw bar 8 to a suitable vehicle, such as a tractor, and towed to a desired location. The assembly 1 can be used for different crops. If it is to be used on grapes in a vineyard, for example, then it may be positioned on the ground at the end of a row of grape vines.

Referring to figure 3, the assembly 1 is shown in a folded disposition and the legs 5 have been placed on the ground for stability. The base 3 may be largely raised off the ground manually, e.g. using a jack. To operate the assembly 1, a base motor and controls (not shown) are used to hydraulically raise the arm 6 until the assembly is at the desired height, for example as shown in figure 4, and to activate the fan engine 12.

The motor controls are then used to rotate the arm 6 with respect to the base 3 at the pivot point 7 to aim the fan 2 in the right direction. The angle of the fan 2 with respect to the arm 6 may also be adjusted for optimum coverage of the rows of grapes or other crops. The arm 6 may be set so that it may rotate and oscillate as desired in order to cover a wider area than when it is stationary. The shroud 11 assists in maximising the air flow created by the engine 12 because the air movement is directed by the shroud 11. The air flow is thus more efficiently aimed than when the blades 10 are not shrouded. The assembly 1 reduces the risk of frost forming by moving higher warmer air to the crops to displace lower cooler air which can cause frost and consequent damage. The shroud 11 also assists in reducing noise created by the moving blades 10.

The assembly 1 can be moved from one location to another with relative ease due to its portable nature. The arm 6 is lowered when the assembly 1 is being moved, for re-fuelling of the engine 12, for servicing and for storage.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the base 3 may be a fixed tower.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A fan assembly when used in moving cold air impacting on a crop to provide a significant measure of protection against frost damage to such crop, the fan 5 having a shroud and blades which can rotate within the shroud, the shroud being adapted to enable air driven by the blades to be adjustably aimed at a specific significant area of the crop, the assembly having a moveable arm adapted to enable adjustable raising and lowering of the shroud and blades, to enable adjustable movement of the shroud and blades laterally, and to 10 enable the shroud and blades to tilt with respect to the arm to assist in directing air flow from the fan to the specific area of the crop, the arm having at least first and second spans adjacent to and linked to one another, the first span being adjacent ground level, the entire second span able to move with respect to the first span to cause adjustment of the angle between the two 15 spans to adjust the elevation of the shroud and blades.

2. A fan assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arm is able to rotate with respect to a ground engaging base of the fan assembly. 20

3. A fan assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm has a joint or joints adapted to enable it to fold and subsequently extend.

4. A fan assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly incorporates an engine or motor which powers movement of the 25 arm.

5. A fan assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprises adjustably moveable stabilising feet adapted to provide stability to the fan assembly.

6. A fan assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly is portable.

7. A fan assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 35 assembly has a draw bar to enable it to be towed by a vehicle.

8. A fan assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly is arranged within or alongside an area of outdoor crop and is activated with the shroud and blades adjustably positioned to blow air to a specific desired area of the crop to provide substantial protection against frost damage to that area. 5

9. A fan assembly substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A fan assembly according to claim 1, substantially as herein described. A.J. Pietras & Co Attorney for the Applicant