US3542492A - Blower diffuser assembly - Google Patents

Blower diffuser assembly Download PDF

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US3542492A
US3542492A US871662A US3542492DA US3542492A US 3542492 A US3542492 A US 3542492A US 871662 A US871662 A US 871662A US 3542492D A US3542492D A US 3542492DA US 3542492 A US3542492 A US 3542492A
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Prior art keywords
diffuser
fan
air
diffuser member
movement
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US871662A
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Thomas J Muella
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Sargent Industries Inc
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Sargent Industries Inc
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
    • F04D29/40—Casings; Connections of working fluid
    • F04D29/52—Casings; Connections of working fluid for axial pumps
    • F04D29/522—Casings; Connections of working fluid for axial pumps especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
    • F04D29/526—Details of the casing section radially opposing blade tips

Definitions

  • This disclosure describes a blower-diffuser assembly including a fan and a diffuser both mounted on a supporting structure and interconnected by suitable duct means.
  • the fan is driven by an electric motor,
  • the electric motor is controlled by a switch mounted closely adjacent the diffuser.
  • the diffuser is movably mounted on the supporting structure so that movement of the diffuser or a portion thereof can operate the switch to thereby control the fan motor and the fan.
  • conditioned air is pumped through one or more ducts which extend along the full length of the cabin.
  • Numerous diffusers are posi tioned at various locations along the duct to admit air to the cabin.
  • Each of the diffusers has a variable orifice for varying the quantity of air that can flow therethrough with the orifice size being variable by the adjacent passenger.
  • the present invention provides a system for supplying conditioned air to a passenger vehicle which includes supplying conditioned air to a relatively few number of areas within the passenger carrying compartment and using numerous separate blower-diffuser assemblies for recirculating the conditioned air.
  • One blower-diffuser assembly is preferably provided for one or more passenger seats and each of the assemblies draws in conditioned air from the passenger carrying compartment, increases the velocity of such air,'and discharges the air back into the passenger carrying compartment.
  • one blower-diffuser assembly is provided for each passenger seat and each blower-diffuser assembly is preferably individually controlable by the adjacent passenger.
  • the blower-diffuser assemblies reduce duct length, the number of duct fittings and the cost and weight of the system.
  • the assemblies can be installed in areas where it is difficult or impossible to run a duct.
  • the assemblies deliver substantial quantities or air and can be located a substantial distance from the passenger seats.
  • the use of theb'lowendiffuser assemblies also reduces the noise level and eliminates the need for high pressure supply air.
  • the blower-diffuser assembly can circulate the air.
  • it should include a fan mounted on a suitable supporting structure or housing.
  • the fan has an inlet and an outlet with the inlet being in communication with the air within the passenger carrying compartment.
  • the fan is driven by an electric motor and the fan forces air through a duct to a diffuser which is also mounted on the supporting structure.
  • the diffuser preferably has a diffuser member with a passageway therethrough through which air from the fan can pass back into the passenger carrying compartment.
  • the diffuser member is mounted on the supporting structure for movement relative thereto.
  • a feature ofthe present invention is that the electric fan motor can be turned off by the passenger when he does not want to have air from his blower-diffuser assembly. This reduces the power consumption of the air conditioning system and is of particular importance for aircraft systems.
  • the fan motor could be operated by a conventional electrical switch having the usual actuating element accessible to the passenger.
  • the present invention eliminates'the need for a special, exposed, switch actuating element by providing means responsive to movement of the diffuser member for operating the fan motor.
  • the passenger need only manipulate the diffuser element to control the fan motor.
  • the fan motor will be operating only when the air from the blower-diffuserassembly is desired by the passenger, the power requirements of the system are reduced.
  • a portion of the' diffuser is exposed to serve as a convenient switch operating mechanism.
  • the electric fan motor is a variable speed fan motor and the switch means is operable to vary the speed of the fan motor.
  • the rate of air flow through the diffuser is controlled solely by the speed of the fan motor and there is no need for providing a diffuser having a variable area orifice to regulate the flow of airtherethrough.
  • This embodiment of the invention is preferred because the power consumption of each blower-diffuser assembly is reducedl to the extent that the air flow desired by the passenger is reduced.
  • diffuser construction is simplified in that there is no need for providing the usual variable restriction for varying the airflow through the diffuser. Thus. with this embodiment of the invention, there is no wasted power as all of the air pumped by the fan is delivered to the passenger carrying compartment.
  • a diffuser including a diffuser element surrounded by first and second diffuser mounting members which mount the diffuser member on a suitable supporting structure for movement about a series of pivotal axes which extend generally transverse to the passageway through the diffuser member. That is, the diffuser member is mounted to permit limited universal movement thereof to permit the passenger to vary the direction of the air stream emanating from the diffuser. In addition, the diffuser. In addition, the diffuser member is mounted for limited rotational or pivotal movement within the first mounting member, such pivotal movement occurring generally about the axis of the passageway through the diffuser member.
  • a preferred form of switch includes a movable contact mounted on the diffuser member for movement therewith and a series of fixed contacts mounted for limited universal move' ment with the diffuser member.
  • the fixed contacts do not rotate with the diffuser member when. the latter is pivoted within the mounting member.
  • the movable contact moves relative to the several fixed contacts to make and break the appropriate circuits for varying the speed of the electric motor.
  • the diffuser member is mounted for the usual lirmited universal movement of the diffuser and in addition is mounted for'generally linear movement.
  • a switch having a switch actuating element is mounted in the path of movement of the diffuser member and is actuated thereby.
  • the diffuser member is'operative only to stop and start the fan motor, and the fan inotor runs at constant speed. Air flow through the diffuser is varied'with linear movement of the diffuser member in that the area of the passage through the diffuser member is varied in response to such linear movement.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary plan view illustrating how blow-diffuser assemblies of this invention can be employed in a passenger vehicle ventilation or air conditioning system.
  • FIG.1A is a sectional view in elevation through a first form of blowerdiffuser assembly.
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view ofthe diffuser outlet and the adjacent portions ofthc assembly.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of'FlG. 2 and illustrating the details of constructions of the diffuser.
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a second form of blower-diffuser assembly with the blower-diffuser assembly being mounted in a utility box.
  • reference numeral 11 designates a portion of a passenger carrying vehicle such as an airplane.
  • the airplane 11 includes a passenger carrying compartment 13 in which a plurality of passenger seats 15 are mounted in conventional fashion. Blower-diffuser assemblies 17 are mounted adjacent each of the passenger seats 15.
  • the passenger carrying compartment 13 is supplied with conditioned air by a conventional air-conditioning apparatus 19, the conditioned air being supplied to the compartment via a duct 21 and a large diffuser 23.
  • a conventional air-conditioning apparatus 19 the conditioned air being supplied to the compartment via a duct 21 and a large diffuser 23.
  • any suitable number ofdiffusers 23 may be provided.
  • one of the blower-diffuser assemblies 17 is provided for each of the passenger seats 15, although other ratios of seats to blower-diffuser assemblies may be used.
  • the blower-diffuser assemblies 17 can be mounted overhead or on the back of each of the passenger seats 15, or at any other desired location or orientation within the passenger carrying compartment.
  • the blower-diffuser assembly '17 shown in FIG. I may be a blower-diffuser assembly 170 (FIG. 1A), 1717 (FIG. 4) or 17c (FIG. 6).
  • a blower-diffuser assembly 17a (FIGS. 1A-3)
  • such assembly generally includes a supporting structure in the form of a housing 25, a fan 27 mounted within the housing, an electric fan motor 29 for driving a fan, a diffuser 31, a duct 33 for conducting air from the fan to the diffuser, and a microswitch 35 for controlling the fan motor.
  • the housing may be of any suitable design and in the embodiment illustrated includes a base member 37 and a hollow LII
  • the duct 33 extends from the outlet of-the fan 27 to the outlet 43 in the housing 25.
  • the duct is sealed to the sleeve 47 at one end and to a collar 57 of the diffuser 31 of the other end.
  • Such sealing of the duct 33 to the sleeve 47 and the collar 57 can be accomplished in any suitable manner which provides an airtightjoirit.
  • the diffuser 31 must be mounted on a suitable support.
  • the diffuser is mounted on the cover 39 suitably releasably connected to the base member.
  • the base member 37 has an inlet opening 41 and an outlet opening 43 with the diffuser 31 being mounted in the outlet.
  • the inlet 41 may be provided with a suitable screen or grille 45 to prevent the fan from drawing relatively large particles into the housing 25.
  • the fan 27 and the motor 29 are preferably mounted within the open ended sleeve 47.
  • the sleeve 47 is in turn mounted on the housing 25 by a suitable bracket 49. Suitable vibration isolators and sound attenuating material may be provided as desired.
  • the fan 27 is preferably a vane-axial-tlow fan.
  • the housing 25 may be'a completely self-contained unit or the base member 37 thereof may constitute fixed aircraft structure. in which event the cover 39 might constitute a separate easily removable member.
  • the motor 29 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 is a constant speed electric motor which is supplied with electrical energy from a suitable electrical supply via a pair of conductors 51 and 53.
  • the switch 35 is connected in series with the motor 29 and is operative to open and close the circuit to the motor to thereby control the starting and stopping of the motor.
  • the switch 35 includes a switch operating element 55 which is movable between an extended position shown in FIG. IA and a retracted position shown in FIG. 3. The switch 35 is such that when the operating element 55 is in the extended position shown in FIG. I, the circuit to the motor 29 is closed and when the switch operating element 55 is forced to the retracted position in the manner described hereinbelow, the switch 35 automatically opens the circuit to the motor 29.
  • blower-diffuser assemblies disclosed herein may base member. 37 ofthe housing 25. Although such mounting may be accomplished in any desired manner, in the embodiment illustrated the diffuser 31 is provided with the retaining plate 59 which is secured by a plurality of set screws 61 to the base member 37, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the collar 57in the embodiment illustrated is integral with the retaining plate 59.
  • a friction collar 63 is held in position along the inner surface of the collar 57 by a locking ring 65.
  • Felt packing 67 is held in the annular gap between the friction collar 63 and an annular gasket 69.
  • the gasket 69 in turn is retained by an annular lip 71 on the retaining plate 59.
  • the packing 67 is urged radially inwardly by a cireutnferentially extending spring 73.
  • the inner annular surfaces of the collar 63, the packing 67, and the gasket 69 define a generally spherical and concave surface 70.
  • the diffuser'31 also includes three diffuser members 75, 77 and 79 each of which is generally in the form of a sleeve.
  • the diffuser members 75,77 and 79 define a passage 81 extending completely through the diffuser.
  • the diffuser member 77 also serves as an inner mounting'member for the diffuser in that it has a convex spherical surface 83 which mates with the concave spherical surface 70.
  • the spherical surfaces 70 and 83 form a ball joint which permits limited universal movement of the diffuser members 75,77 and 79 to permit the passenger to control the direction of the air discharged from the passage 81.
  • the ball joint permits pivotal movement of the diffuser members 75, 77 and 79 about a plurality of pivotal axes each of which extends generally transverse to the axis of the passageway 81.
  • the diffuser member 79 defines the outlet of the passage 81 and may form a control knob for purposes defined hereinbelow.
  • the diffuser member 79 is mounted on the diffuser member 77 for limited universal movement therewith; however, the member 79 can rotate about its own axis relative to the member 77.
  • this connection may be made in any suitable manner, in the embodiment illustrated the diffuser member 79 has a shoulder 85 for engaging an inwardly extending annular flange 87 on the diffuser member 77.
  • a retaining ring 89 and a thrust washer 91 are also provided with the thrust washer engaging an opposite face of the flange 87.
  • Three radially extending vanes 93 (FIG. 2) are suitably rigidly affixed to the diffuser member 79 and the ring 89 and washer 91 are received in a groove 94 of the vanes to prevent relative axial movement between the members 77 and 79, while allowing relative rotational movement between the members 77 and 79.
  • the vanes 93 divide the passage 81 into three separate generally axially extending passages. Of course. any suitable number of the vanes 93 may be provided.
  • the vanes 93 terminate upwardly in a plunger 95 which is of a size to completely close off the upper end of the passage 81.
  • the vanes 93 are also suitably rigidly affixed to the diffuser member 75.
  • the members 75 and 79 and the vanes 93 are rotatable as a unit about the axis of the passage 81.
  • the friction between the surfaces 70 and 83 is greater than the friction afforded by the connection between the members 77 and 79 and accordingly, the member 77 does not rotate with the members 75 and 79. If desired, the member 77 may be positively held against rotation in the manner described hereinbelow in connection with FIG. 7.
  • the effective area of the passage 81 through which air can travel can be varied by varying the axial spacing between the diffuser member 79 and the plunger 95.
  • the plunger 95 does not translate and means are providcd for causing translation of the diffuser member 75, Air
  • a pair of pins 101 and 103 are fixedly I mounted on the diffuser member 77 and project radially inwardly into the grooves 97 and 99, respectively.
  • the spherical surfaces 70 and 83 retain the diffuser member 77 against rotational movement relative to the base member 57', while the diffuser member 75 rotates about the central axis thereof.
  • the pins 101 and 103 cooperate with the grooves 97 and 99, respectively, to move the diffuser member 75 axially either toward and away from the plunger 95 depending upon the direction of rotation.
  • the diffuser member 75 in the full open position is spaced substantially from the plunger 95 so that the inlet to the passage 81 is of substantial sixe.
  • the diffuser member 77 can, however, be ntovedto a fully closed position (FIG. 3) in which the upper end of the diffuser member 75 is engaged by the periphery of the plunger 95 to thereby completely seal the inlet to the passage 81.
  • a fully closed position FIG. 3
  • an infinite number of intermediate positions can be obtained by rotating of the diffuser member 79, the desired amount.
  • the quantity of air which can flow through the passage 81 into the passenger carrying compartment 13 can be infinitely varied by the passenger.
  • switch 35 is mounted in various manners, in the embodiment illustrated, the switch 35 is mounted on the upper end ofthe plunger 95 with the switch operating element 55 extending downwardly toward the diffuser member 75.
  • the switch operating element 55 is moved to a depressed or retracted position bythe diffuser member 75 when the latter is moved axially upwardly to the closed position.
  • the switch operating element 55 is normally spring biased downwardly or outwardly so that when the diffuser member 75 is moved away from the closed position toward the open position of FIG. 1A,
  • the circuit to the fan motor is normally closed except when the diffuser member 75 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3 at which time the switch 35 automatically opens the circuit to the fan motor.
  • a passenger may obtain air therefrom by rotating the lowermost diffuser member 79 to move the diffuser member 75 axially away from the plunger 95.
  • the diffuser member 75 is axially separated from the plunger 95 to open the inlet to the passage 81.
  • the movement of the diffuser member 75 downwardly releases the switch operating element 55 to complete the circuit to the fan motor 29 to cause operation of the fan.
  • the fan is operative to supply air through the duct 33 to the diffuser 31. with the quantity of the air being adjustable by the spacing between the upper end of the diffuser member 75 and the plunger 95.
  • the direction of the air can be varied by tilting of the diffuser member 79 as permitted by the spherical surfaces 70 and 83.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which the blower-diffuser assembly 17b is mounted within and forms an integral part of a utility package 121.
  • the casing 212 has an inlet in communication with the utility package 121 includes a container 123 which is considerably larger than the blower-diffuser assembly 17b and which contains, among other things, one or more oxygen masks 125 and one or more oxygen bottles 127.
  • the utility package 121 may also include an exposed light switch 129 and a stewardess call button 131.
  • the container 123 includes a base member 133 and a cover or shell-like section 135 releasably and sealingly secured to the base member.
  • a suitable air inlet 137 isformed in the base member 135 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • a wall member 138 having an opening 138a adjacent the inlet 137 encloses an area within the container 123 to define a plenum 13811.
  • the region adjacent the inlet 137 is enclosed by an outer wall 139 ofthe container 123 and a partition 141 (FIG. 4).
  • the walls 133. 135, I39 and H1 enclose a region of the container 123 and form a housing for the blower-diffuser assembly 17h.
  • a fan 143 which may be of the vane-axial-llow type and a fan motor 145 are suitably mounted within the plenum 1381).
  • the plenum have a liner 147 of suitable sound attenuating material such as foam rubber.
  • the base member 133 has an inclined section 149 to which a diffuser 151 is mounted.
  • the plenum 1381) serves as a duct to convey air from the fan to the diffuser 151.
  • the diffuser 151 in the embodiment illustrated is identical to the diffuser 31, it should be understood that the diffuser described hereinbelow in connection with the embodiment with FIGS. 7-10 could be used in lieu of the diffuser 31.
  • the fan motor 145 is operated by a switch 153 in the same manner as described above with reference to the embodiments of FIGS 1-3.
  • the utility package 121 can be mounted in any ofthe conventional locations such as above the adjacent passenger seat of the aircraft.
  • the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is identical to that described in connection with FIGS. 1- -3.
  • the blower-diffuser assembly (FIGS. 6-10) is the presently preferred form of the invention.
  • the blower-diffuser assembly 17c includes a housing 201 which includes a base member 203 and a cover 205.
  • the housing 201 is completely self-contained; however, it should be understood that the housing 201 can be formed in any suitable manner and need not be a separate independent self-contained casing.
  • the base member 203 has an air inlet 207 and an inclined wall portion 209.
  • a centrifugal fan 211 is mounted within a casing 212.
  • the casing 212 is mounted within the housing 201 by a suitable bracket 213 and the necessary vibration isolators may also be provided.
  • the fan 211 is driven by :an electrical fan motor 215 with the axis of rotation of the fan being designated by the line inlet 207 and an outlet in communication with a duct 221.
  • the blower-diffuser assembly 170 also includes a diffuser 223 which is mounted on the inclined wall portion 209 of the base member 203. Liners 225 and 227 of suitable acoustical insulation are provided on the interior walls of the duct 221 and ofthe housing 201 as shown.
  • the duct 221 is sealed at one end to the diffuser 223 and at the other endto the outlet of the casing 219 to the fan 11. Thus, the duct 221 conveys air from the outlet of the fan 211 to the diffuser 223.
  • the fan motor 215 is a variable speed electrical motor having a plurality of separate windings with each of the windings being for a separate motor speed. Accordingly, with the embodiment of FIGS. 610, the speed of the fan motor 215 can be varied to thereby control the quantity of air discharged from the blower-diffuser assembly 17c.
  • the diffuser 223 includes a generally annular, outer mounting member 229 which includes an inner flange 231, an outer flange 233 and an annular collar 235.
  • Annular thrust washers 237 and 239 are provided in axially spaced relationship for retaining felt packing 241.
  • the washer 239 is retained in the position shown by a lock ring 243 which in turn is retained in an annular groove in the collar 235.
  • the inner a nnular surfaces of the washers 237 and 239 and of the felt packing 241 define a spherical concave sur face 245.
  • the mounting member 229 can be attached to the base member 203 in any suitable manner.
  • the base member 203 has an opening 246 thercthrough 'in which the diffuser 223 is mounted with the outer flange 233 axially therethrough for rotatably receiving the diffuser member 249.
  • the diffuser member 247 has a recess 255 in which a ball detent 257 and a spring 259 are carried.
  • the spring 259 urges the detent 257 radially inwardly against the outer surface ofthe diffuser member 249.
  • the outer surface of the diffuser member 249 has a plurality of circumfcrcntially spaced indentations 261 (FIG.
  • the diffuser-member 247 has an axially extending slot 263 formed in the outer surface 251 thereof for receiving a pin 265 which is rigidly affixed to the collar 235.
  • the circumferential width of the slot 263 is approximately the same as the corresponding dimension of the pin 265, and accordingly, the pin 265 holds the diffuser; member 247 against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the diffuser member 249.
  • the diffuser member 247 can experience limited universal movement as permitted by the ball joint surfaces 245 and 251, however, it
  • a third diffuser member 267 is rigidly affixed to the diffuser member 247for movement therewith.
  • the diffuser member 267 is in the form of a sleeve which surrounds the diffuser member 249 and projects inwardly into the housing 201.
  • the diffuser member 267 has an inner end portion 268 which is spaced radially outwardly of the diffuser member 249 to define an annular gap.
  • the diffuser m'ember 249 in the embodiment illustrated is a substantially cylindrical sleeve which is retained against axial movement within the diffuser member 247 by an annular flange 269 on the diffuser member 247 and an annular groove 271 formed in the exterior surface thereof.
  • the diffuser member 249 has a generally cylindrical air passage 273 extending axially therethrough and a plurality of radially extending vanes 275 divide the passage 273 into several axially extending passages.
  • the diffuser member 249 has an outer end portion which defines a control knob 277 for purposes described hereinbelow. By grasping the control knob, the passenger can rotate the diffuser member 249 about the axis of the cylindrical passage 273.
  • Switch means 279 is mounted on the diffuser 223.
  • the switch means 279 includes a conductive metal strip 281 suitably mounted on the diffuser member 249 as by rivets extending through tabs 282.
  • the strip 281 defines a movable contact 283 and a bus bar 285.
  • the bus bar 285 includes four spaced movable bus bar contacts 287.
  • the strip 281 has a conductive leg portion 289 which continuously maintains the movable contact 283 electrically connected to the bus bar contacts 287.
  • the contacts 283 and 287 may be dimples formed in the metal strip 281.
  • the diffuser member 267 constitutes means for supporting four fixed contacts 291a. 291b, 2911 and 29141 and a fixed bus bar contact 293.
  • the contacts 291a, h. c and dare mounted on the diffuser member 267 in circumferentially spaced relationship, and the contact 293 is axially alined with. and axially spaced from, the contact 2910 (FIG. 9).
  • the strip 281 is mounted on the diffuser member 249 with the movable contact 283 lying radially inwardly of the fixed contacts 2910, b, c and d and circumferentially alined therewith to permit the movable contact 283 to sequentially engage these fixed contacts upon rotation of the member 249.
  • the bus bar 285 lies directly radially inwardly of the fixed contact 293 so that the contacts 287 thereof can be sequentially brought into engagement with the fixed contact 293.
  • the bus bar 285 projects to the right of the contact 283 and the fixed contacts 2910, b. c and d are to the left of the movable contact 283 when the latter is in engagement with the contact 2910.
  • the circumferential spacing between the contacts 287 is equal to the circumferential spac ing between the contacts 291a, b. c and d. Accordingly, pivotal movement of the diffuser member 249 brings one of the contacts 287 into engagement with the fixed contact 293 simultaneously with the engagement of the movable contact 283 with each ofthc fixed contacts 291a, b, c and d.
  • the contacts 291a, 12,0 and 1 are connected, respectively, to terminals and electrical conductors 295a, b, c and :1.
  • the fixed contact 293 is connected to a terminal and conductor 297 which leads to the fan motor 215.
  • the conductors 29511.0 and d each lead to a separate winding of the fan motor 215 while the conductor 295a provides an open circuit to the motor 215 to stop the latter.
  • the conductor 297 may lead to ground.
  • the contact 283 engages the contact 2910 and one of the contacts 287 engages the contact 293.
  • the motor 215 is not energized and the fan 211 is not operating.
  • the diffuser member 247 is retained against rotation by the slot 263 and the p in.265.
  • the spring 259 urges the detent 257 into engagement with one of the notches 261 to tend to hold the components of the diffuser 223 in the position shown in FIGS. 7-9.
  • the detent 257 is urged out of the adjacent groove 261 against the biasing action of the spring 259 and the contact 283 is moved out of engagement with the contact 2910.
  • the movable contact 283 moves toward the fixed contact 291 b and the second bus bar contact 287 moves toward the fixed contact 293.
  • the movable contact 283 engages the fixed contact 291b at the same time that the second movable contact 287 engages the fixed contact 293, to thereby complete a circuit to the fan motor 215 via the conductors 295! and 297.
  • the detent 257 enters the next or second groove 265 to tend to maintain the diffuser member 249 in this position.
  • the centrifugal fan 211 commences rotation and draws air from the passenger carrying compartment 13 through the inlet 207 (FlG. 1) and forces it through the duct 221 and the passage 273 back into the passenger carrying compartment. Assuming that the motor winding of the motor 215 is now running at a relatively low speed. its speed may be increased by further rotation of the diffuser member 249 to bring the movable contact 283 into engagement with the contacts 291C or 291d. Directional control of the air can be obtained by moving of the diffuser member 249 as is permitted by the spherical surfaces 249 and 251.
  • porting structure and having an inlet exposed to the air and an outlet;
  • a motor mounted on said supporting structure for driving said fan
  • a diffuser mounted on said supporting structure for direct-' ing air toward a preselected location
  • said diffuser including a diffuser member and means for mounting said diffuser member on said supporting structure for movement relative to said supporting structure.
  • said diffuser member having a passage extending therethrough, said passage being in communication with said duct means to receive air therefrom and direct the air toward the preselected location;
  • said motor includes an electric motor and last mentioned means includes switch mcans having a movable operating element mounted adjacent said diffuser member, said means for mounting said diffuser member mounting the diffuser member for translation toward and away from said movable operatingelement, said diffuser member being engageable with said movable operating element to control said switch.
  • said last mentioned means is a switch, said switch including at least one fixed contact mounted adjacent said diffuser member and a movable contact carried by saiddiffuser member and movable therewith, said contacts being engageable and disengageable to operate said motor.
  • valve means responsive to said movement of said diffuser member for varying the open area of said passage through which air from the fan can flow 6.
  • a fan for pumping air said fan' having an inlet and'an outlct;
  • an electric motor for drivingv said fan to cause said fan to pump air
  • a diffuser mounted on said housing for directing air toward a preselected location out ofsaid housing
  • said diffuser including a sleeve and means for mounting said sleeve on said housing for movement about a first pivotal axis relative to said housing, said sleeve having a passage extending therethrough in communication with said duct means to receive air therefrom and direct air toward the preselected location, said first pivotal axis being generally transverse to said sleeve whereby movement of said sleeve about said first pivotal axis changes the directionof air flow exiting from the sleeve;
  • said diffuser also including means for permitting predetermined movement of said sleeve member relative to said housing, said predetermined movement being movement other than movement about said first pivotal axis;
  • switch means responsive to said predetermined movement ofsaid sleeve to operate said electric motor.
  • said predetermined movement is pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis extending generally in the same direction as the axis of said passage, said electric motor being a variable speed electric motor and said switch means including means responfsive to movement of said sleeve about said second pivotal axis for changing the speed ofsaid motor.
  • said switch means includes a movable contact carried by said sleeve and movable therewith about said second pivotal axis, a plurality of fixed contacts and means for mounting said fixed contacts for movement with said diffuser member about said first pivotal axis, said movable contact being selectively and sequentially with said fixed contacts in response to pivotal movement of said sleeve about said second pivotal axis.
  • the combination also including circuit means responsive to the engagernent of said movable contact with said fixed contacts to control the speed of said motor.
  • said sleeve is a first sleeve and said diffuser also includes a second sleeve and means for interconnecting said. sleeves to permit movement thereof as a unit about said first pivotal axis and to per mit said predetermined movement of said first sleeve while preventing such predetermined movement of said second sleeve, said predetermined movement being generally linear
  • said switch means including an operating element for operat' ing the switch means, said operating element being in the path of linear movemcntof said first sleeve and being engageable and operable thereby whereby said linear movement of said sleeve operates said switch means to control said electric motor.
  • a combination as defined in claim 6 including a utility container, said blower-diffuser assembly being mounted at least partially within said utility container.
  • mounting means for mounting said sleeve on said supporting structure for first and second movements relative thereto;
  • said first movement of said sleeve being pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis which extends generally transverse to said passage to thereby permit the direction of the air forced through said sleeve to be changed;
  • circuit means including a fixed contact and a movable contact for making and breaking an electrical circuit to said electric motor means;
  • said movable contact being carried by said sleeve and movable therewith through said first and secondv movements thereof;
  • said mounting means for mounting said sleeve includes a mounting member at least substantially circumscribing said sleeve and mounted for movement with said sleeve about said first pivotal axis. said mounting member permitting said sleeve to move relative thereto during said second movement of said sleeve, said means for mounting said fixed contact being mounted on said mounting member and movable therewith.
  • said mounting members having complementary curved surfaces thereon for mounting said first mounting member for pivotal movement relative to said second mounting member about a plurality of pivotal axes extending generally transverse to said passage through said sleeve.
  • said sleeve being pivotable within said first mounting member about a second pivotal axis extending generally in the direction of the axis of said passage to define said second movement of said sleeve.
  • a diffuser assembly for use with a motor and a motor driven fan to control the passage of air through the diffuser assembly, including:
  • a second diffuser member disposed within the. first diffuser member for rotary movement relative to the first diffuser member
  • switching means having first and second operative relationships and operative in the first relationship to provide for an operationofthe motor and operative in the second relationship to prevent an operation of the motor;
  • the switching means has at leastone contact on one of the first and second diffuser members and has a plurality of second contacts on the second diffuser member and wherein the motor has a plurality of different speeds and wherein the last mentioned means is operative to provide a rotary positioning of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member for obtaining an engagement between the one contact and individual ones of the second contacts and wherein the motor has different speeds in accordance with engagements between the one contact and individual ones of the second contacts.
  • a diffuser assembly for use with a motor and a motor driven fan to control the passage of air through the diffuser assembly, including:
  • a first diffuser member having a first axis
  • a second diffuser member disposed within the first diffuser member and supported relative to the first diffuser member and rotatable relative to the first diffuser member on the first axis.
  • the second diffuser member being hollow to provide for a passage of air through the diffuser member and; switch means disposed in cooperative relationship with the first universal member and connected to themotor and the fan for providing a deenergizing of the motor and the fan in a first rotary position of the second diffusermember relative to the first diffuser member and an energizing of the motor and the fan in other rotary positions of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member.

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Description

United States Patent lnventor Thomas J. Muella Monterey Park, California Appl. No. 871,662 Filed Nov. 10, 1969 Continuation of Ser. No. 760,614, Sept. 18, 1968, abandoned. Patented Nov. 24, 1970 Assignee Sargent Industries Los Angeles, California a corporation of Delaware BLOWER DIFFUSER ASSEMBLY 24 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.
US. Cl 417/316, 98/2 Int. Cl ..F04b 49/06, B601 l/20 Field of Search 230/1 14,
115, 12, 17, 10, ll, l3;239/lnq;98/2
[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,169,550 1/1916 Lucker etal 230/12 1,419,316 6/1922 Sherbondy 230/12 2,054,292 9/1936 Maddocks 98/2 2,501,273 3/1950 Goetz 98/2 2,804,756 9/1957 Faulhaber et a1. 98/2 3,038,469 6/1962 Jacuzzi 230/127 FORElGN PATENTS 990,800 6/1951 France 98/2 Primary Examiner-Henry F. Raduazo Ar!orney- Smyth, Roston & Pavitt ABSTRACT: This disclosure describes a blower-diffuser assembly including a fan and a diffuser both mounted on a supporting structure and interconnected by suitable duct means. The fan is driven by an electric motor, The electric motor is controlled by a switch mounted closely adjacent the diffuser. The diffuser is movably mounted on the supporting structure so that movement of the diffuser or a portion thereof can operate the switch to thereby control the fan motor and the fan.
. I BLOWER DIFFUSER ASSEMBLY This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 760,614 filed Sept. I8, 1968, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the typical commercial aircraft'ventilation system, conditioned air is pumped through one or more ducts which extend along the full length of the cabin. Numerous diffusers are posi tioned at various locations along the duct to admit air to the cabin. Each of the diffusers has a variable orifice for varying the quantity of air that can flow therethrough with the orifice size being variable by the adjacent passenger.
This arrangement is undesirable in that the diffusers must be positioned relatively close to the passenger in order that he.
will feel the effects of the air motion created by the air passing through the diffuser. Alternatively, the air pressure in the duct SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for supplying conditioned air to a passenger vehicle which includes supplying conditioned air to a relatively few number of areas within the passenger carrying compartment and using numerous separate blower-diffuser assemblies for recirculating the conditioned air. One blower-diffuser assembly is preferably provided for one or more passenger seats and each of the assemblies draws in conditioned air from the passenger carrying compartment, increases the velocity of such air,'and discharges the air back into the passenger carrying compartment. Preferably one blower-diffuser assembly is provided for each passenger seat and each blower-diffuser assembly is preferably individually controlable by the adjacent passenger.
The blower-diffuser assemblies reduce duct length, the number of duct fittings and the cost and weight of the system. The assemblies can be installed in areas where it is difficult or impossible to run a duct. The assemblies deliver substantial quantities or air and can be located a substantial distance from the passenger seats. The use of theb'lowendiffuser assemblies also reduces the noise level and eliminates the need for high pressure supply air.
In order that the blower-diffuser assembly can circulate the air. it should include a fan mounted on a suitable supporting structure or housing. The fan has an inlet and an outlet with the inlet being in communication with the air within the passenger carrying compartment. The fan is driven by an electric motor and the fan forces air through a duct to a diffuser which is also mounted on the supporting structure. The diffuser preferably has a diffuser member with a passageway therethrough through which air from the fan can pass back into the passenger carrying compartment. The diffuser member is mounted on the supporting structure for movement relative thereto.
A feature ofthe present invention is that the electric fan motor can be turned off by the passenger when he does not want to have air from his blower-diffuser assembly. This reduces the power consumption of the air conditioning system and is of particular importance for aircraft systems.
The fan motor could be operated by a conventional electrical switch having the usual actuating element accessible to the passenger. However, the present invention eliminates'the need for a special, exposed, switch actuating element by providing means responsive to movement of the diffuser member for operating the fan motor. Thus, the passenger need only manipulate the diffuser element to control the fan motor. As the fan motor will be operating only when the air from the blower-diffuserassembly is desired by the passenger, the power requirements of the system are reduced. Preferably a portion of the' diffuser is exposed to serve as a convenient switch operating mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electric fan motor is a variable speed fan motor and the switch means is operable to vary the speed of the fan motor. With this construction, the rate of air flow through the diffuser is controlled solely by the speed of the fan motor and there is no need for providing a diffuser having a variable area orifice to regulate the flow of airtherethrough. This embodiment of the invention is preferred because the power consumption of each blower-diffuser assembly is reducedl to the extent that the air flow desired by the passenger is reduced. In addition. diffuser construction is simplified in that there is no need for providing the usual variable restriction for varying the airflow through the diffuser. Thus. with this embodiment of the invention, there is no wasted power as all of the air pumped by the fan is delivered to the passenger carrying compartment.
These concepts can be advantageously embodied in a diffuser including a diffuser element surrounded by first and second diffuser mounting members which mount the diffuser member on a suitable supporting structure for movement about a series of pivotal axes which extend generally transverse to the passageway through the diffuser member. That is, the diffuser member is mounted to permit limited universal movement thereof to permit the passenger to vary the direction of the air stream emanating from the diffuser. In addition, the diffuser. In addition, the diffuser member is mounted for limited rotational or pivotal movement within the first mounting member, such pivotal movement occurring generally about the axis of the passageway through the diffuser member.
A preferred form of switch includes a movable contact mounted on the diffuser member for movement therewith and a series of fixed contacts mounted for limited universal move' ment with the diffuser member. The fixed contacts do not rotate with the diffuser member when. the latter is pivoted within the mounting member. Thus, when the diffuser member is'pivoted within the mounting members, the movable contact moves relative to the several fixed contacts to make and break the appropriate circuits for varying the speed of the electric motor.
In another embodiment of the invention, the diffuser member is mounted for the usual lirmited universal movement of the diffuser and in addition is mounted for'generally linear movement. A switch having a switch actuating element is mounted in the path of movement of the diffuser member and is actuated thereby. With this embodiment of the invention, the diffuser member is'operative only to stop and start the fan motor, and the fan inotor runs at constant speed. Air flow through the diffuser is varied'with linear movement of the diffuser member in that the area of the passage through the diffuser member is varied in response to such linear movement.
The invention, both as to its organization and'method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF'THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary plan view illustrating how blow-diffuser assemblies of this invention can be employed in a passenger vehicle ventilation or air conditioning system.
FIG.1A is a sectional view in elevation through a first form of blowerdiffuser assembly.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view ofthe diffuser outlet and the adjacent portions ofthc assembly.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of'FlG. 2 and illustrating the details of constructions of the diffuser.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a second form of blower-diffuser assembly with the blower-diffuser assembly being mounted in a utility box.
of the switch laid DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1. thereof, reference numeral 11 designates a portion of a passenger carrying vehicle such as an airplane. The airplane 11 includes a passenger carrying compartment 13 in which a plurality of passenger seats 15 are mounted in conventional fashion. Blower-diffuser assemblies 17 are mounted adjacent each of the passenger seats 15.
The passenger carrying compartment 13 is supplied with conditioned air by a conventional air-conditioning apparatus 19, the conditioned air being supplied to the compartment via a duct 21 and a large diffuser 23. Of course. any suitable number ofdiffusers 23 may be provided. Preferably one of the blower-diffuser assemblies 17 is provided for each of the passenger seats 15, although other ratios of seats to blower-diffuser assemblies may be used. The blower-diffuser assemblies 17 can be mounted overhead or on the back of each of the passenger seats 15, or at any other desired location or orientation within the passenger carrying compartment.
The blower-diffuser assembly '17 shown in FIG. Imay be a blower-diffuser assembly 170 (FIG. 1A), 1717 (FIG. 4) or 17c (FIG. 6).- Considering first the blower-diffuser assembly 17a (FIGS. 1A-3), such assembly generally includes a supporting structure in the form of a housing 25, a fan 27 mounted within the housing, an electric fan motor 29 for driving a fan, a diffuser 31, a duct 33 for conducting air from the fan to the diffuser, and a microswitch 35 for controlling the fan motor.
The housing may be of any suitable design and in the embodiment illustrated includes a base member 37 and a hollow LII The duct 33 extends from the outlet of-the fan 27 to the outlet 43 in the housing 25. The duct is sealed to the sleeve 47 at one end and to a collar 57 of the diffuser 31 of the other end. Such sealing of the duct 33 to the sleeve 47 and the collar 57 can be accomplished in any suitable manner which provides an airtightjoirit.
The diffuser 31 must be mounted on a suitable support. and
. in the embodiment illustrated, the diffuser is mounted on the cover 39 suitably releasably connected to the base member. In
the embodiment illustrated. the base member 37 has an inlet opening 41 and an outlet opening 43 with the diffuser 31 being mounted in the outlet. The inlet 41 may be provided with a suitable screen or grille 45 to prevent the fan from drawing relatively large particles into the housing 25.
The fan 27 and the motor 29 are preferably mounted within the open ended sleeve 47. The sleeve 47 is in turn mounted on the housing 25 by a suitable bracket 49. Suitable vibration isolators and sound attenuating material may be provided as desired. In the embodiment of FIGS. IA3, the fan 27 is preferably a vane-axial-tlow fan.
Any of the be mounted in any desired orientation with the air exiting therefrom at any suitable angle. Similarly, the housing 25 may be'a completely self-contained unit or the base member 37 thereof may constitute fixed aircraft structure. in which event the cover 39 might constitute a separate easily removable member.
The motor 29 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 is a constant speed electric motor which is supplied with electrical energy from a suitable electrical supply via a pair of conductors 51 and 53. The switch 35 is connected in series with the motor 29 and is operative to open and close the circuit to the motor to thereby control the starting and stopping of the motor. The switch 35 includes a switch operating element 55 which is movable between an extended position shown in FIG. IA and a retracted position shown in FIG. 3. The switch 35 is such that when the operating element 55 is in the extended position shown in FIG. I, the circuit to the motor 29 is closed and when the switch operating element 55 is forced to the retracted position in the manner described hereinbelow, the switch 35 automatically opens the circuit to the motor 29.
blower-diffuser assemblies disclosed herein may base member. 37 ofthe housing 25. Although such mounting may be accomplished in any desired manner, in the embodiment illustrated the diffuser 31 is provided with the retaining plate 59 which is secured by a plurality of set screws 61 to the base member 37, as shown in FIG. 2.
Turning now to details of the diffuser 31 and with reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the collar 57in the embodiment illustrated is integral with the retaining plate 59. A friction collar 63 is held in position along the inner surface of the collar 57 by a locking ring 65. Felt packing 67 is held in the annular gap between the friction collar 63 and an annular gasket 69. The gasket 69 in turn is retained by an annular lip 71 on the retaining plate 59. The packing 67 is urged radially inwardly by a cireutnferentially extending spring 73. The inner annular surfaces of the collar 63, the packing 67, and the gasket 69 define a generally spherical and concave surface 70.
The diffuser'31 also includes three diffuser members 75, 77 and 79 each of which is generally in the form of a sleeve. The diffuser members 75,77 and 79 define a passage 81 extending completely through the diffuser. The diffuser member 77 also serves as an inner mounting'member for the diffuser in that it has a convex spherical surface 83 which mates with the concave spherical surface 70. The spherical surfaces 70 and 83 form a ball joint which permits limited universal movement of the diffuser members 75,77 and 79 to permit the passenger to control the direction of the air discharged from the passage 81. The ball joint permits pivotal movement of the diffuser members 75, 77 and 79 about a plurality of pivotal axes each of which extends generally transverse to the axis of the passageway 81.
The diffuser member 79 defines the outlet of the passage 81 and may form a control knob for purposes defined hereinbelow. The diffuser member 79 is mounted on the diffuser member 77 for limited universal movement therewith; however, the member 79 can rotate about its own axis relative to the member 77. Although this connection may be made in any suitable manner, in the embodiment illustrated the diffuser member 79 has a shoulder 85 for engaging an inwardly extending annular flange 87 on the diffuser member 77. A retaining ring 89 and a thrust washer 91 are also provided with the thrust washer engaging an opposite face of the flange 87.
Three radially extending vanes 93 (FIG. 2) are suitably rigidly affixed to the diffuser member 79 and the ring 89 and washer 91 are received in a groove 94 of the vanes to prevent relative axial movement between the members 77 and 79, while allowing relative rotational movement between the members 77 and 79. The vanes 93 divide the passage 81 into three separate generally axially extending passages. Of course. any suitable number of the vanes 93 may be provided. The vanes 93 terminate upwardly in a plunger 95 which is of a size to completely close off the upper end of the passage 81. The vanes 93 are also suitably rigidly affixed to the diffuser member 75.
With this construction, the members 75 and 79 and the vanes 93 are rotatable as a unit about the axis of the passage 81. The friction between the surfaces 70 and 83 is greater than the friction afforded by the connection between the members 77 and 79 and accordingly, the member 77 does not rotate with the members 75 and 79. If desired, the member 77 may be positively held against rotation in the manner described hereinbelow in connection with FIG. 7.
The effective area of the passage 81 through which air can travel can be varied by varying the axial spacing between the diffuser member 79 and the plunger 95. In the embodiment illustrated, the plunger 95 does not translate and means are providcd for causing translation of the diffuser member 75, Air
surface thereof. A pair of pins 101 and 103 are fixedly I mounted on the diffuser member 77 and project radially inwardly into the grooves 97 and 99, respectively. The spherical surfaces 70 and 83 retain the diffuser member 77 against rotational movement relative to the base member 57', while the diffuser member 75 rotates about the central axis thereof. Ac cordingly, when the diffuser member 79 is manually turned. the pins 101 and 103 cooperate with the grooves 97 and 99, respectively, to move the diffuser member 75 axially either toward and away from the plunger 95 depending upon the direction of rotation.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the diffuser member 75 in the full open position is spaced substantially from the plunger 95 so that the inlet to the passage 81 is of substantial sixe. The diffuser member 77 can, however, be ntovedto a fully closed position (FIG. 3) in which the upper end of the diffuser member 75 is engaged by the periphery of the plunger 95 to thereby completely seal the inlet to the passage 81. Of course, an infinite number of intermediate positions can be obtained by rotating of the diffuser member 79, the desired amount. Thus, the quantity of air which can flow through the passage 81 into the passenger carrying compartment 13 can be infinitely varied by the passenger.
An important feature of this invention is the mounting of the switch 35 with the switch operating element 55 thereof in the path of movement of the diffuser member 75. Although the switch 35 can be mounted in various manners, inthe embodiment illustrated, the switch 35 is mounted on the upper end ofthe plunger 95 with the switch operating element 55 extending downwardly toward the diffuser member 75. With this structural arrangement of the components,'the switch operating element 55 is moved to a depressed or retracted position bythe diffuser member 75 when the latter is moved axially upwardly to the closed position. Conversely, the switch operating element 55 is normally spring biased downwardly or outwardly so that when the diffuser member 75 is moved away from the closed position toward the open position of FIG. 1A,
the switch operating element moves outwardly. The switch 35.
is of conventional construction and is of the type that is normally closed so that the circuit to the fan motor is normally closed. The switch 35 can be opened however by depressing or retracting the switch operating element 55. As applied to the specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13, the circuit to the fan motor is normally closed except when the diffuser member 75 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3 at which time the switch 35 automatically opens the circuit to the fan motor.
Assuming that the components of the blower-diffuser assembly 17a are arranged as shown in FIG. 1, a passenger may obtain air therefrom by rotating the lowermost diffuser member 79 to move the diffuser member 75 axially away from the plunger 95. The result is twofold. First, the diffuser member 75 is axially separated from the plunger 95 to open the inlet to the passage 81. Simultaneously, the movement of the diffuser member 75 downwardly releases the switch operating element 55 to complete the circuit to the fan motor 29 to cause operation of the fan. Thus. the fan is operative to supply air through the duct 33 to the diffuser 31. with the quantity of the air being adjustable by the spacing between the upper end of the diffuser member 75 and the plunger 95. Of course, the direction of the air can be varied by tilting of the diffuser member 79 as permitted by the spherical surfaces 70 and 83.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which the blower-diffuser assembly 17b is mounted within and forms an integral part of a utility package 121. The
- 217. The casing 212 has an inlet in communication with the utility package 121 includes a container 123 which is considerably larger than the blower-diffuser assembly 17b and which contains, among other things, one or more oxygen masks 125 and one or more oxygen bottles 127. The utility package 121 may also include an exposed light switch 129 and a stewardess call button 131.
Referring to FIG. 5, the container 123 includes a base member 133 and a cover or shell-like section 135 releasably and sealingly secured to the base member. A suitable air inlet 137 isformed in the base member 135 as shown in FIG. 4. A wall member 138 having an opening 138a adjacent the inlet 137 encloses an area within the container 123 to define a plenum 13811. The region adjacent the inlet 137 is enclosed by an outer wall 139 ofthe container 123 and a partition 141 (FIG. 4). The walls 133. 135, I39 and H1 enclose a region of the container 123 and form a housing for the blower-diffuser assembly 17h.
A fan 143 which may be of the vane-axial-llow type and a fan motor 145 are suitably mounted within the plenum 1381). The plenum have a liner 147 of suitable sound attenuating material such as foam rubber. The base member 133 has an inclined section 149 to which a diffuser 151 is mounted. The plenum 1381) serves as a duct to convey air from the fan to the diffuser 151. Although the diffuser 151 in the embodiment illustrated is identical to the diffuser 31, it should be understood that the diffuser described hereinbelow in connection with the embodiment with FIGS. 7-10 could be used in lieu of the diffuser 31. The fan motor 145 is operated by a switch 153 in the same manner as described above with reference to the embodiments of FIGS 1-3.
The utility package 121 can be mounted in any ofthe conventional locations such as above the adjacent passenger seat of the aircraft. The operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is identical to that described in connection with FIGS. 1- -3.
The blower-diffuser assembly (FIGS. 6-10) is the presently preferred form of the invention. The blower-diffuser assembly 17c includes a housing 201 which includes a base member 203 and a cover 205. The housing 201 is completely self-contained; however, it should be understood that the housing 201 can be formed in any suitable manner and need not be a separate independent self-contained casing. The base member 203 has an air inlet 207 and an inclined wall portion 209.
A centrifugal fan 211 is mounted within a casing 212. The casing 212 is mounted within the housing 201 by a suitable bracket 213 and the necessary vibration isolators may also be provided. The fan 211 is driven by :an electrical fan motor 215 with the axis of rotation of the fan being designated by the line inlet 207 and an outlet in communication with a duct 221.
The blower-diffuser assembly 170 also includes a diffuser 223 which is mounted on the inclined wall portion 209 of the base member 203. Liners 225 and 227 of suitable acoustical insulation are provided on the interior walls of the duct 221 and ofthe housing 201 as shown. The duct 221 is sealed at one end to the diffuser 223 and at the other endto the outlet of the casing 219 to the fan 11. Thus, the duct 221 conveys air from the outlet of the fan 211 to the diffuser 223.
The fan motor 215 is a variable speed electrical motor having a plurality of separate windings with each of the windings being for a separate motor speed. Accordingly, with the embodiment of FIGS. 610, the speed of the fan motor 215 can be varied to thereby control the quantity of air discharged from the blower-diffuser assembly 17c.
The details of the diffuser 223 are illustrated in FIGS. 7- -10. With reference to FIG. 7, the diffuser 223 includes a generally annular, outer mounting member 229 which includes an inner flange 231, an outer flange 233 and an annular collar 235. Annular thrust washers 237 and 239 are provided in axially spaced relationship for retaining felt packing 241. The washer 239 is retained in the position shown by a lock ring 243 which in turn is retained in an annular groove in the collar 235. The inner a nnular surfaces of the washers 237 and 239 and of the felt packing 241 define a spherical concave sur face 245.
The mounting member 229 can be attached to the base member 203 in any suitable manner. in the embodiment illustrated, the base member 203 has an opening 246 thercthrough 'in which the diffuser 223 is mounted with the outer flange 233 axially therethrough for rotatably receiving the diffuser member 249. The diffuser member 247 has a recess 255 in which a ball detent 257 and a spring 259 are carried. The spring 259 urges the detent 257 radially inwardly against the outer surface ofthe diffuser member 249. The outer surface of the diffuser member 249 has a plurality of circumfcrcntially spaced indentations 261 (FIG. 8) therein arranged in circumferentially spaced relationship andsized to receive a portion of the detent 257. When the diffuser member 247 is rotated, the spring 259 urges the detent 257 sequentially into the several indentations 261. This arrangement facilitates rotation or pivotal movementof the diffuser member 249 about its central axis in predetermined arcuate increments.
The diffuser-member 247 has an axially extending slot 263 formed in the outer surface 251 thereof for receiving a pin 265 which is rigidly affixed to the collar 235. The circumferential width of the slot 263 is approximately the same as the corresponding dimension of the pin 265, and accordingly, the pin 265 holds the diffuser; member 247 against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the diffuser member 249. The diffuser member 247 can experience limited universal movement as permitted by the ball joint surfaces 245 and 251, however, it
cannot be pivoted or rotated about the central longitudinal axis of the diffuser member 249.
A third diffuser member 267 is rigidly affixed to the diffuser member 247for movement therewith. The diffuser member 267 is in the form of a sleeve which surrounds the diffuser member 249 and projects inwardly into the housing 201. The diffuser member 267 has an inner end portion 268 which is spaced radially outwardly of the diffuser member 249 to define an annular gap.
The diffuser m'ember 249 in the embodiment illustrated is a substantially cylindrical sleeve which is retained against axial movement within the diffuser member 247 by an annular flange 269 on the diffuser member 247 and an annular groove 271 formed in the exterior surface thereof. The diffuser member 249, has a generally cylindrical air passage 273 extending axially therethrough and a plurality of radially extending vanes 275 divide the passage 273 into several axially extending passages. The diffuser member 249 has an outer end portion which defines a control knob 277 for purposes described hereinbelow. By grasping the control knob, the passenger can rotate the diffuser member 249 about the axis of the cylindrical passage 273.
Switch means 279 is mounted on the diffuser 223. The switch means 279 includes a conductive metal strip 281 suitably mounted on the diffuser member 249 as by rivets extending through tabs 282. The strip 281 defines a movable contact 283 and a bus bar 285. The bus bar 285 includes four spaced movable bus bar contacts 287. The strip 281 has a conductive leg portion 289 which continuously maintains the movable contact 283 electrically connected to the bus bar contacts 287. The contacts 283 and 287 may be dimples formed in the metal strip 281.
The diffuser member 267 constitutes means for supporting four fixed contacts 291a. 291b, 2911 and 29141 and a fixed bus bar contact 293. The contacts 291a, h. c and dare mounted on the diffuser member 267 in circumferentially spaced relationship, and the contact 293 is axially alined with. and axially spaced from, the contact 2910 (FIG. 9). The strip 281 is mounted on the diffuser member 249 with the movable contact 283 lying radially inwardly of the fixed contacts 2910, b, c and d and circumferentially alined therewith to permit the movable contact 283 to sequentially engage these fixed contacts upon rotation of the member 249. Similarly, the bus bar 285 lies directly radially inwardly of the fixed contact 293 so that the contacts 287 thereof can be sequentially brought into engagement with the fixed contact 293.
As shown in FIG. 8, the bus bar 285 projects to the right of the contact 283 and the fixed contacts 2910, b. c and d are to the left of the movable contact 283 when the latter is in engagement with the contact 2910. The circumferential spacing between the contacts 287 is equal to the circumferential spac ing between the contacts 291a, b. c and d. Accordingly, pivotal movement of the diffuser member 249 brings one of the contacts 287 into engagement with the fixed contact 293 simultaneously with the engagement of the movable contact 283 with each ofthc fixed contacts 291a, b, c and d. The contacts 291a, 12,0 and 1 are connected, respectively, to terminals and electrical conductors 295a, b, c and :1. The fixed contact 293 is connected to a terminal and conductor 297 which leads to the fan motor 215. The conductors 29511.0 and d each lead to a separate winding of the fan motor 215 while the conductor 295a provides an open circuit to the motor 215 to stop the latter. The conductor 297 may lead to ground.
With the diffuser member 249 in the position shown in F165. 710, the contact 283 engages the contact 2910 and one of the contacts 287 engages the contact 293. As the contact 291a leads to an open circuit, the motor 215 is not energized and the fan 211 is not operating. Should the passenger desire to use the blower-diffuser assembly 170, the only need grasp the control knob 277 and turn the diffuser member 249 about the axis thereof as is permitted by the diffuser member 247. The diffuser member 247 is retained against rotation by the slot 263 and the p in.265. The spring 259 urges the detent 257 into engagement with one of the notches 261 to tend to hold the components of the diffuser 223 in the position shown in FIGS. 7-9. As the diffuser member 249 begins rotation, the detent 257 is urged out of the adjacent groove 261 against the biasing action of the spring 259 and the contact 283 is moved out of engagement with the contact 2910. As rotation of the diffuser member 249 continues, the movable contact 283 moves toward the fixed contact 291 b and the second bus bar contact 287 moves toward the fixed contact 293. The movable contact 283 engages the fixed contact 291b at the same time that the second movable contact 287 engages the fixed contact 293, to thereby complete a circuit to the fan motor 215 via the conductors 295!) and 297. Simultaneously, the detent 257 enters the next or second groove 265 to tend to maintain the diffuser member 249 in this position.
With the fan motor 215 energized, the centrifugal fan 211 commences rotation and draws air from the passenger carrying compartment 13 through the inlet 207 (FlG. 1) and forces it through the duct 221 and the passage 273 back into the passenger carrying compartment. Assuming that the motor winding of the motor 215 is now running at a relatively low speed. its speed may be increased by further rotation of the diffuser member 249 to bring the movable contact 283 into engagement with the contacts 291C or 291d. Directional control of the air can be obtained by moving of the diffuser member 249 as is permitted by the spherical surfaces 249 and 251.
Although three different motor speeds will ordinarily be satisfactory, it should be understood that it is within the scope of this invention to provide any degree of variation of motor speed. Similarly, the switch 279 could be used for simple onoffcontrol, ifdesired.
Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications and a fan for moving air, said fan beingmounted on said sup-.
porting structure and having an inlet exposed to the air and an outlet;
. A motor mounted on said supporting structure for driving said fan;
a diffuser mounted on said supporting structure for direct-' ing air toward a preselected location;
duct means between the fan outlet and the diffuser for directing the air pumped by the fan from the outlet thereof to said diffuser;
said diffuser including a diffuser member and means for mounting said diffuser member on said supporting structure for movement relative to said supporting structure. said diffuser member having a passage extending therethrough, said passage being in communication with said duct means to receive air therefrom and direct the air toward the preselected location; and
means responsive to movement of said diffuser mcmbcr for operating said motor.
2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor includes an electric motor and last mentioned means includes switch mcans having a movable operating element mounted adjacent said diffuser member, said means for mounting said diffuser member mounting the diffuser member for translation toward and away from said movable operatingelement, said diffuser member being engageable with said movable operating element to control said switch.
3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means includes a switch and said diffuser member is mounted for pivotal movement, said switch being operable in response to the pivotal movement of said diffuser member.
4. -A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means is a switch, said switch including at least one fixed contact mounted adjacent said diffuser member and a movable contact carried by saiddiffuser member and movable therewith, said contacts being engageable and disengageable to operate said motor.
5. A combination as defined in claim 1 including valve means responsive to said movement of said diffuser member for varying the open area of said passage through which air from the fan can flow 6. in a blower-diffuser assembly. the combination of:
a housing having an inlet for permitting entry of air into said housing; I
a fan for pumping air, said fan' having an inlet and'an outlct;
means for mou'nting'sa'id fan within said housing;
an electric motor for drivingv said fan to cause said fan to pump air; a diffuser mounted on said housing for directing air toward a preselected location out ofsaid housing;
duct means between said fan outlet and said diffuser for conducting the air pumped by the fan from the outlet thereof to said diffuser;
said diffuser including a sleeve and means for mounting said sleeve on said housing for movement about a first pivotal axis relative to said housing, said sleeve having a passage extending therethrough in communication with said duct means to receive air therefrom and direct air toward the preselected location, said first pivotal axis being generally transverse to said sleeve whereby movement of said sleeve about said first pivotal axis changes the directionof air flow exiting from the sleeve;
said diffuser also including means for permitting predetermined movement of said sleeve member relative to said housing, said predetermined movement being movement other than movement about said first pivotal axis; and
switch means responsive to said predetermined movement ofsaid sleeve to operate said electric motor.
7. A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said predetermined movement is pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis extending generally in the same direction as the axis of said passage, said electric motor being a variable speed electric motor and said switch means including means responfsive to movement of said sleeve about said second pivotal axis for changing the speed ofsaid motor. 8. A combination as defined in claim 7 wherein said switch means includes a movable contact carried by said sleeve and movable therewith about said second pivotal axis, a plurality of fixed contacts and means for mounting said fixed contacts for movement with said diffuser member about said first pivotal axis, said movable contact being selectively and sequentially with said fixed contacts in response to pivotal movement of said sleeve about said second pivotal axis. the combination also including circuit means responsive to the engagernent of said movable contact with said fixed contacts to control the speed of said motor.
9, A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said sleeve is a first sleeve and said diffuser also includes a second sleeve and means for interconnecting said. sleeves to permit movement thereof as a unit about said first pivotal axis and to per mit said predetermined movement of said first sleeve while preventing such predetermined movement of said second sleeve, said predetermined movement being generally linear, said switch means including an operating element for operat' ing the switch means, said operating element being in the path of linear movemcntof said first sleeve and being engageable and operable thereby whereby said linear movement of said sleeve operates said switch means to control said electric motor.
10. A combination as defined in claim 6 including a utility container, said blower-diffuser assembly being mounted at least partially within said utility container.
11. in a blower-diffuser assembly, the combination of:
a supporting structure;
a sleeve having a passage therethrough;
mounting means for mounting said sleeve on said supporting structure for first and second movements relative thereto;
fan means mounted on said supporting structure for forcing air through said passage ofsaid sleeve;
electric motor means for driving said fan means;
said first movement of said sleeve being pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis which extends generally transverse to said passage to thereby permit the direction of the air forced through said sleeve to be changed;
said second movement of said sleeve being movement other than said first movement; circuit means including a fixed contact and a movable contact for making and breaking an electrical circuit to said electric motor means;
said movable contact being carried by said sleeve and movable therewith through said first and secondv movements thereof; and
means for mounting said fixed contact for movement with said sleeve during said first movement thereof and for substantially preventing movement of said fixed contact with said sleeve during said second movement of said sleeve whereby said movable contact moves relative to said fixed contact during said second movement of said sleeve, said movable contact being movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contact to operate said electrical motor means.
12. A combination as defined defined in claim 11 wherein said mounting means for mounting said sleeve includes a mounting member at least substantially circumscribing said sleeve and mounted for movement with said sleeve about said first pivotal axis. said mounting member permitting said sleeve to move relative thereto during said second movement of said sleeve, said means for mounting said fixed contact being mounted on said mounting member and movable therewith.
13. A combination as defined in claim 12 wherein said mounting member is a first mounting member and said mounting means also includes a second mounting member at least substantially cireumscribing said first mounting member. said mounting members having complementary curved surfaces thereon for mounting said first mounting member for pivotal movement relative to said second mounting member about a plurality of pivotal axes extending generally transverse to said passage through said sleeve. said sleeve being pivotable within said first mounting member about a second pivotal axis extending generally in the direction of the axis of said passage to define said second movement of said sleeve.
14. A diffuser assembly for use with a motor and a motor driven fan to control the passage of air through the diffuser assembly, including:
a first diffuser member;
means disposed relative to the first diffuser member for providing a universaljoint with the diffuser member;
a second diffuser member disposed within the. first diffuser member for rotary movement relative to the first diffuser member;
switching means having first and second operative relationships and operative in the first relationship to provide for an operationofthe motor and operative in the second relationship to prevent an operation of the motor; and
means responsive to the rotary disposition of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member for providing for the operation of the switching means in the second operative relationship in a first rotary positioning of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member and for providing for the operation of the switching means in the first relationship in other rotary positions of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member.
15. The diffuserassembly set forth in claim 14 wherein the switching means has at least a first contact on the first diffuser member and a second contact on the second diffuser member and wherein the last mentioned means is operative to provide a rotary positioning of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member for obtaining cooperative relationships between the first and second contacts.
16. The diffuser assembly set forth in claim 14 wherein the switching means has at leastone contact on one of the first and second diffuser members and has a plurality of second contacts on the second diffuser member and wherein the motor has a plurality of different speeds and wherein the last mentioned means is operative to provide a rotary positioning of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member for obtaining an engagement between the one contact and individual ones of the second contacts and wherein the motor has different speeds in accordance with engagements between the one contact and individual ones of the second contacts.
l7. A diffuser member as set forth in claim l4 wherein means are disposed on one of the second diffuser members for movement with the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member to provide a variable orifice with the first diffuser member.
18. A diffuser member as set forth in claim 17 wherein means are disposed on one of the first and second diffuser members to operate the switching means in the second relationship upon the closing of the orifice and to provide for the operation of the switching means in the first relationship upon an opening of theorifice.
19. A diffuser assembly for use with a motor and a motor driven fan to control the passage of air through the diffuser assembly, including:
a first diffuser member having a first axis;
means disposed in cooperative relationship with the first diffuser member for providing a variable positioning of the first diffuser member as a universal joint;
a second diffuser member disposed within the first diffuser member and supported relative to the first diffuser member and rotatable relative to the first diffuser member on the first axis. the second diffuser member being hollow to provide for a passage of air through the diffuser member and; switch means disposed in cooperative relationship with the first universal member and connected to themotor and the fan for providing a deenergizing of the motor and the fan in a first rotary position of the second diffusermember relative to the first diffuser member and an energizing of the motor and the fan in other rotary positions of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member.
20. The diffuser assembly set forth in claim 19 wherein the motor and the fan are rotatable at different speeds and wherein the switch means has a plurality of contacts to provide for an operation of the motor and the fan at different speeds in accordance with the rotation of the second diffuser member to different positions relative to the first diffuser member other than the first rotary position.
21. The diffuser assembly set forth in claim 20 wherein the hollow dimensions of the second diffuser member remain substantially constant regardless of the rotary position of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member.
22. The diffuser member set forth in claim 19 wherein the second diffuser member is movable along the first axis relative to the first diffuser member in accordance with the rotation of the second diffuser member relative to the first diffuser member and wherein a plunger is movable with the second diffuser member and is constructed and disposed relative to the first diffuser member to provide a variable orifice for the flow of air through the variable orifice.
23. The diffuser member set forth in claim 22 wherein the switch means is disposed on one of the first and second diffuser members and is provided with closed and open positions and is actuated by the other one of the first and second diffuser members in the closed position ofthe variable orifice to deenergize the motor and is operable in the closed position to energize the motor when the variable orifice is at least partially open.
24. The diffuser member set forth in claim 23 wherein one of the first and second diffuser members is provided with a helical groove and the other one of the first and second diffuser members is provided with a pin extending into the groove to control the movement of the second diffuser member and the plunger in the axial direction as the second diffuser member is rotated relative to the first diffuser member.
US871662A 1969-11-10 1969-11-10 Blower diffuser assembly Expired - Lifetime US3542492A (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5127876A (en) * 1991-06-26 1992-07-07 Bruce Industries Fluid control valve unit
US5328152A (en) * 1992-06-29 1994-07-12 Bruce Industries, Inc. Fluid control valve unit
US20050258391A1 (en) * 2004-02-02 2005-11-24 Bruce Industries, Inc. Fluid flow control valve
US20060116063A1 (en) * 2004-11-26 2006-06-01 Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems Gmbh Outlet device for the interior of a vehicle

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5127876A (en) * 1991-06-26 1992-07-07 Bruce Industries Fluid control valve unit
US5328152A (en) * 1992-06-29 1994-07-12 Bruce Industries, Inc. Fluid control valve unit
US20050258391A1 (en) * 2004-02-02 2005-11-24 Bruce Industries, Inc. Fluid flow control valve
US7093821B2 (en) 2004-02-02 2006-08-22 Bruce Industries, Inc. Fluid flow control valve
US20060116063A1 (en) * 2004-11-26 2006-06-01 Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems Gmbh Outlet device for the interior of a vehicle

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