US1252508A - Ventilating-fan. - Google Patents

Description

J. S. G. TELFER & J. H. C. BOYD. VENTILATING FAN.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20. 1913 1,252,508 Patented Jan. 8,1918.

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VENTILATING FAN.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20. 1913.

1,252,508. Patented Jan. 8,1918.

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JOHN STANLEY GLASSlPOOLE TELFER AND JAMES HENRY OABTNER BOYD, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

VENTILATING-FAN.

Application filed December 20, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN STANLEY GLAssrooLn TELFER, auctioneer, and James HENRY CARTNER Born, engineer, subjects of the King of Great Britain, and residents of 7 Greenhill road, Harlesden, London, N. VV., England, and 24 Branksome road, Merton Park, Wimbledon, London, S. England, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ventilating-Fans, of which the following is a specification.

The employment of rotary fans (usually known as table or desk fans), whether of the oscillating or other type, as a means of agitating the air for the purpose of ventilation, gives rise to discomfort owing to the fact that the action of the fan produces a continuous draft, usually in one direction only, while, if a rotary fan of the so-called blower type be employed, the resulting introduction of air from outside is or may be objectionable for the reason that such air may have a temperature either too high or too low relatively to that of the air within the ventilated space and may in addition be laden with impurities or micro-organisms which it is difficult to get rid of. It has,

however, been demonstrated by experiment (as recently stated in medical journals) that, contrary to the common supposition, continual renewal of the air within a closed space is not essential to the health or even the comfort of the occupants, although, for the sake of both health and comfort, it is imperative that the air within the space should be kept in motion. It is, moreover, true that a punkah, as commonly used in hot climates, serves for agitating the air without either creating a continuous draft in one direction or introducing air from outside. But not only are the prime and running costs of a punkah excessive relatively to the benefits obtained from its use, but the fact of a punkah being of necessity permanently installed overhead or near the ceiling has the effect of seriously diminishing its effi ciency, for the reason that movement is imparted chiefly to the upper strata of the air while the lower strata, which are breathed by the occupants of the apartment, are not directly affected by the agitation set up by the punkah.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the various disadvantages incidental to the use of rotary fans, blowers,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

Serial No. 807,835.

and punkahs, and hence the invention is designed to provide improved mechanicallyoperated ventilating means which shall neither (as with the rotary fan) create a continuous draft in one direction, nor (as with the blower) introduce air from outside, nor (as with the punkah) be limited in its immediate sphere of action to the upper strata of the air, but shall be adapted to impart directly to the atmosphere in the immediate neighborhood of any individual a gentle to-and-fro movement sufficient for the maintenance of comfort and hygienic conditions.

With this end in view, the invention consists of a reciprocatory fan and improved means for mechanically actuating the same, the apparatus being preferably self-contained and portable so as to be adapted to be placed at will in any desired position, such for example as on a dinner-table or office desk, in the cabin of a steamship, or by the bedside in a sickroom or hospital.

The fan, which may be of the common folding type if preferred, is pivotally mounted upon a support and coupled by suitable connections to a source of motive power which as a rule would be inclosed within the support itself, the arrangement being such that either the apparatus as a whole, or the fan proper, may be orientated in any direction so that the to-and-fro movement imparted to the air may be caused to take place with the greatest benefit and without discomfort to the person or persons in the vicinity.

The source of motive power may be a continuously-running motor driven by e. 9. electric, spring, pneumatic or hydraulic power as may be most convenient in the circumstances, and, where electric power is employed, an intermittently-actuated and automatically-controlled electromagnetic device may be used in place of a continuouslyrunning rotary motor; means being in any case preferably provided for enabling the power, and the speed or periodicity of the movement imparted to the fan, to be regulated at will. If necessary, a dash-pot device may be employed. for damping the oscillations.

The means whereby the motor (of whatever kind) is coupled to the fan proper is preferably of a character adapted for conveying power through a curved and preferably flexible tubular arm such as flexible metallic tubing of the well-known kind. Thus, for example, said means may consist of a tension-wire led through a flexible coil of wire as in the well-known Bowden type of transmission-device.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 2 is an external front elevation, showing one arrangement embodying the inven tion in portable form, wherein the source of motive power is a rotaryelectric motor. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a substantially similar arrangement where in, however, the source of motive-power is a. non-rotary electromagnetic device; and Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the casing showing the same electromagnetic device housed therein.

In each view, various parts are omitted for the sake of clearness.

In both the arrangements illustrated, 11 is the fan, which is shown as of the ordinary folding type such as is commonly used by ladies. 'The fan is, however, permanently distended by the inner ends of its ribs 12 being fixed in a clamp 13 provided with a nipple 14 which is screw-threaded to engage in a corresponding threaded socket 15 carried by a disk 16. A lock-nut 17, working upon the nipple 14 and bearing against the socket 15, enables the fan to be readily adjusted about theaxis of the nipple and socket.

A pulley or drum 18, at one side of the disk 16, is integral and concentric with the latter so as to turn as one therewith about a stud 19 fixed in another disk 20; the pulley 18 being between the two disks, whereof 20 is carried at the upperor outer end of a flexible tubular arm 21, whose lower or inner end is fixed to the cover 22 of the casing 23 wherein the driving mechanism is housed. The arm 21 is understood to be formed of the well-known flexible metallic tubing, which is adapted to retain any form to which it may be bent.

To a point 24 on the periphery of the pulley 18 is fixed one end of a chain 25 which is lapped about the pulley, the opposite end of this chain being attached to one end of the flexible inner wire or tensionmember 26 of a Bowden-wire whose outer or compression-member 27 traverses the length of the flexible tubular arm 21 and is fixed therein. To the same point 24 on the pulley 18 is also fixedone end of a light spring 28 whose other end is attached at the point 29 to the socket or ferrule 30 at the outer end of the arm 21. The chain 25 and spring 28 extend from the point 24 in opposite directions relatively to the axis 19 of the pulley 18, sothat, on the wire 26 be caused to rotate so as to move the fan 11 in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 1 and 3 from the angular position shown, the spring 28 being meanwhile put under stress whereas on the wire 26 being released, the tension of the spring 28 will cause the pulley 18 to rotate in the opposite direction so as to restore the fan to its initial angular position, the wire 26' being meanwhile drawn outward through the outer member 27 of the BoWden-wire.

The lower end of the wire 26 extends within the casing 23 wherein the driving mechanism is housed; and this driving mechanism, that is to say the means employed for alternately pulling and releasing the wire (or equivalent member) 26, will now be described.

In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower end of the wire 26 is made fast to a crank-pin 31 which is carried by a crank 32 but is rotatable in abearing provided in the crank, so as to prevent the wire being wound upon the crank-pin as the crank itself revolves. The crank 32 is fast upon a shaft 33 which also carries a wormwheel 34, this worm-wheel being in gear with a worm 35 on a shaft 36 connected through a flexible coupling 37 to the armature-shaft 38 of an electric motor 39. This motor is housed within the casing 23, wherein is also mounted a gear-box 40 containing, and serving as an oil-bath for, the wormgear 34, 35.

A two-way switch 41 for controlling the circuit of the motor 39 is shown as mounted upon the cover 22 of the casing 23, this switch serving to pass current through the motor either directly or (when a reduced speed is required) by way of a resistance indicated at 42, or to cut the motor entirely out of circuit. The electric cable may be led into the casing 23 at any convenient point, as for example by way of a tubular plug 43 of insulating material.

It will be obvious that so long as the mo tor 39 continues to run, the crank-pin 31 will revolve about the axis 33 and that during the descending arc of its movement the wire 26 will be pulled upon so as to cause the fan 11 to be raised, whereas during the ascending arc of movement of the crankpin 31, the tension on the wire 26 will be released and the fan 11 will be allowed to descend under the stress of the spring 28.

Silence being very desirable in the work: ing of the apparatus as a whole, the wormwheel 34 is preferably formed of fiber rather than of metal, while the pins 44 of the flexible coupling 37 may be sheathed with india rubber. The casing 23 is shown as mounted upon india rubber feet 45.

In the example illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the lower end of the wire 26 is attached to one arm 46 of a bell-crank lever which is mounted to oscillate about a stationary fulcrum at 7 the wire 26 being preferably attached to the arm 46 not directly but through the medium of a block carried by a pin 28 fitted to turn in a bearing in the end of the arm, and this block being apertured to receive the wire 26 whichis clamped to the block by a'set-screw 49.

The other arm 50 of the bell-crank lever is coupled by alink 51 to a bar 52 serving to unite the outer ends of the movable cores 53, 54 of a pair of solenoids 55, 56, the rear ends-of whos'e'bobbin's are carried by an iron bar 57 fixed to the wall of the casing 23. Normally (2'. 6. so long as the solenoids are not energized), the cores 53, 5st are held projected from the bobbins 55, 56 by a spring 58 coiled about one of the cores between the encl of the corresponding bobbin and the bar 52, this position of the cores (which is the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4) corresponding to the raised position of the lever-arm 46 and the depressed position of the fan. lVhen, however, the solenoids are energized, the cores 53, 54: will be drawn into the bobbins, with the result that the lever-arm 46 will be depressed and the fan consequently raised in opposition to the spring '28, until, on the solenoid-circuit being broken, the cores 53, 54L are returned by the spring 58 to their initial position.

The reciprocatory action just described goes on automatically so long as current is available in the circuit of the solenoids, means being provided for causing the last portion of the outward or idle movement of the cores 53, 54; to bring about the closure of the solenoid-circuit and, in turn, for causing the last part of the inward or operative movement of the cores to bring about the interruption of the circuit.

For this purpose the to-and-fro movement of the bar 52 is utilized to control a switch interposed in the solenoid-circuit and consisting of a lever 59 pivoted about a stationary axis 60 and carrying at its free end a roller 61. This roller normally rests upon a contact-piece 62 to which is connected that member 63 on the circuit wherein the solenoid- windings 55, 56 are interposed in series with one another; the roller 61 and switchlover 59 being of conductive material and serving conjointly (when in the position shown) to close the circuit between the contact-piece 62 and the wire 6% which electrically connects the lever 59 with the other member of the circuit. The switch-lever 59 extends in such a direction that a pair of horns 65, 66 which project from an adjustable cross-head 67, fixed to the lever 59 by means of a screw 68, are always presented in the path of, and at opposite sides of, a tappet or striker 69 carried by the bar 52; the distance which separates the horns 65, 66 affording an amount of lost motion between them and the striker 69 sufiicient to permit of the circuit remaining closed or open (as the case may be) during the greater part of the movement of the cores 53, 54 in either direction.

In order to insure that the circuit, when closed at the switch 59, shall so remain as long as may be necessary, but shall be broken suddenly by said switch, the latter is formed as a quick-break switch. For this purpose a' spring 70 is maintain'edin tension between a fixed abutment at 71 and a point 72 on a short :arm 73 of the switch-lever 59; the points 71 and 7 2 being so disposed on opposite sides of the axis 60 as to cause the spring 70 to tend on the one hand to hold the lever 59 in the normal position shown, when brought thereto, and on the other hand to throw the lever 59 suddenly to the opposite end of its stroke before the solenoid-cores 53, 54: have'completed their inward or operative movement.

The axis 60 may consist of a screw between whose head and the switch-lever 59 is interposed a coiled spring (not shown) for insuring sutlicient pressure between the roller 61 and contact-pieces 62.

Buffers 7 4 and 7 5 of india rubber are provided for the purpose of preventing noise when the bar 52 reaches the respective limits of its movement.

7 6 represents a switch mounted on the cover 22 of the casing 23 and serving to control the solenoid-circuit in order to start and stop the apparatus at will.

It will be obvious that, with either form of the apparatus, the casing 22, 23, may be placed in any position (6. g. on a table or desk, or on a wall) and that the flexible arm 21 may also be bent in any direction, yet without affecting the operation of the fan, and that consequently, assuming the apparatus to be made in a portable form, the range of its utility will be very extensive.

We claim:

1. The combination of a base, a flexible tubular arm on said base, a drum rotatably mounted on said arm, a reciprocatory fan detachably connected with said drum and extending radially therefrom, driving means carried by said base, a flexible connection passing through said arm and having its one end extending circumferentially about said drum and secured thereto and its other end connected with said driving means whereby said fan is oscillated in one direc tion and a spring having its one end connected with said drum and its other end attached to said arm, said spring being placed under tension by said driving means and oscillating said fan in the opposite direction.

2. The combination of a hollow base, a flexible tubular arm carried by said base and communicating with the interior thereof, a drum rotatably mounted on said arm, a projection extending radially from said drum, said fan is oscillated in one direction and a a reciprocatory fan detachably connected spring connectedat one end with said drum with said projection and extending radially and at its other end with said arm, said from said drum means for locking said fan Spring being placed nder tension bx said 5 5 in said projection, driving means located driving means and'oscillatmg said fan in the in said base, a flexible connection passing reverse direction.

through said arm and into said base; said JOHN STANLEY GLASSPOOLE 'IELFER. connection having its one end extending cir- JAMES HENRY GARTNER BOYD. cumferentially about said drum and secured Witnesses: v

1 thereto and its other end connected with GEORGE ERNEST MINTEON,

said driving means in said base, whereby HENRY BRUNSDON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0.

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