HOUSEHOLD FAN WITH GUSTS AND VARYING AIRFLOW

Abstract

A household fan for providing the feel of a natural breeze includes a motorized impeller for providing airflow, a controller, an interface, and a breeze setting. The controller is coupled to the motorized impeller for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow. The interface is in communication with the controller for receiving human instructions for the controller. The breeze setting may be selected by way of the interface and implemented via the controller to operate the motorized impeller. When functioning in the breeze setting, the motorized impeller changes volumetric flow rate of the airflow with respect to time.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/203,368 filed Aug. 10, 2015 and also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/793,194 filed Jul. 7, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/624,903 filed Sep. 22, 2012, which issued on Aug. 11, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,103,346 and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/542,199 filed Oct. 2, 2011, all the above of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to fans, such as household fans that may be used to cool occupants of a home, business, or other venue.

[0003] A fan typically includes a motor (e.g., electric motor, engine) that drives an impeller (e.g., fan blades, motivator, paddles, turbine, compressor) of a fluid, such as air. Some fans change rates of output, such as by changing the power supplied to the motor (e.g., via potentiometer, variable resistors and switches) or by way of mechanical components (e.g., a gear reduction, transmissions).

[0004] Household fans typically blow cooling air on occupants of the venue. Some such fans operate at controlled rates, such as at a constant-speed setting and, in some cases, with a repeating oscillatory swivel of the fan direction. However, in Applicant's opinion, conventional household fans do not replicate well the feel of breezes in nature. A need exists for a fan that more accurately reflects the feel of natural breezes, which may provide a desirable cooling experience.

SUMMARY

[0005] Aspects of the innovations include a fan that blows like natural wind, with gusts and different intensities at varying time intervals. The fan is intended to provide a comfortable, close-to-nature environment.

[0006] Some embodiments relate to a household fan for providing the feel of a natural breeze. The household fan includes a motorized impeller for providing airflow, a controller coupled to the motorized impeller for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow, an interface in communication with the controller for receiving human instructions for the controller, and a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface and implemented via the controller to operate the motorized impeller. The breeze setting varies intensity of the airflow that is output by the motorized impeller, and the breeze setting further includes variation in periods of time between local peaks in intensity of the airflow.

[0007] Some such embodiments relate to a household fan in the form of portable or table fan. The motorized impeller of such a fan may include an electric motor and fan blades. The electric motor may be supplied electricity by a power cord. In some embodiments, the portable or table fan may also include a protective or safety grating surrounding the fan blades.

[0008] Other such embodiments relate to a household fan in the form of a ceiling fan, which may include hardware to attach the ceiling fan on or in a ceiling, whereby airflow from the motorized impeller is generally directed downward from the ceiling. Accordingly, the ceiling fan is intended to provide the feel of a natural breeze to occupants of a room therebelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0010] FIGS. 1 to 4 are schematic views of a fan according to exemplary embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a table fan projecting airflow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan projecting airflow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a conceptual plot of normalized parameters (volumetric flow rate, impeller rotational rate, blade incline angle) versus time according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures.

[0015] A house fan 110 (i.e., household fan), such as a portable fan 310 (FIG. 3) or ceiling fan 410 (FIG. 4), includes a setting 112 that provides randomized intensity (or seemingly random-patterned) to the fan 110. The random intensity may be intended to simulate the feel of a natural breeze. As such, the random changes to the intensity may be smoothly adjusting and within a bounded range, such as the range from off to high-setting of the fan 110.

[0016] In one embodiment, a random number generator (see, e.g., source 114) provides two numbers per cycle. One of the numbers corresponds to the length of the cycle from local maxima (i.e., peak) to local maxima (i.e., next peak), such as between one and ten seconds, and the other number corresponds to the intensity of the fan 110 during the cycle. A smooth interpolation scheme, such as spline or Runge-Kutta, may be used to provide the curve between intensities and between cycles.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, a user may scale the random setting 112 so that higher or lower intensities are given increased weight in the random number generator.

[0018] In still other embodiments the random number generator is used to control the turning direction or rotational angle of an oscillating fan 110.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment, a controller 116 for a fan 110, is coupled to or includes (e.g., comprises) a source 114 of random or pseudo-random numbers, such as a set of at least 20, at least 50, at least 1000 substantially out-of-sequence numbers, which may include some subsets of sequential number, as may be present in a set of random numbers. The controller 116 further includes logic 118 configured to use a first of the numbers to provide an amount of intensity for operation of a fan 110 and a second of the numbers to provide a time period corresponding to the intensity. In some such embodiments of the controller 116, the logic 118 selects another two numbers for a second intensity and second time period. In some of those embodiments, the logic 118 connects the first and second intensities by shifting from the first to the second intensity in a smooth, continuous (non-discrete) manner.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, a fan 110 includes an interface 120 that provides an option to select a setting 112 of the fan 110, which includes a random or pseudo-random string of intensity. The intensity of the fan 110 may appear random, and may be formed from a large enough set of changes in intensity that repetition would not be anticipated by a human observer, such as a set of at least 1000 changes. Such a setting 112 is intended to provide the feel of a natural breeze.

[0021] In some such embodiments, the interface 120 of the fan 110 includes a feature 122 to weight (e.g., scale, amplify, bias) the random or pseudo-random setting 112, resulting in a change in average intensity for the random or pseudo-random setting 112. As such, the weighting causes the output of the fan 110 to correspond to a windier or less-windy natural breeze.

[0022] In some embodiments, the fan 110 (e.g., luxury fan) includes a remote control with a wind mode (e.g., random).

[0023] The present disclosure teaches a controller 116, for example as shown in FIG. 1 connected between the interface 120 and fan hardware such as the motorized impeller of fan 110 for implementing selection of the breeze setting to operate the fan 110. As indicated, the controller 116 is coupled to or includes a source 114 of random or pseudo-random numbers, as shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments; and as further indicated, the controller 116 may include logic to use a first of the numbers to provide an amount of intensity for operation of the fan 110 and a second number to provide a time period corresponding to the intensity. Generally speaking, integrated circuits, processors, microcontrollers, relays, computer hardware and software and other such types of controllers have been integrated with household fans to varying degrees for decades. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the logic 118 of the controller 116 connects first and second intensities by shifting from the first to the second intensity in a smooth, continuous (non-discrete) manner. As indicated, examples of smooth numerical interpolation schemes, such as spline or Runge-Kutta interpolation, may facilitate the smooth, continuous shifting.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, household fans shown as the table fan 310 and ceiling fan 410 each include a motorized impeller 312, 412 for providing airflow, a controller 116 (see FIGS. 3-4) coupled to the motorized impeller 312, 412 for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow, and an interface 314, 414 (e.g., remote, wireless) in communication with the controller 116 for receiving instructions for the controller 116. The fan 310, 410 has a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface 314, 414 and implemented via the controller 116 to operate the motorized impeller 312, 412.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, when functioning in the breeze setting, rate of rotation of the motorized impeller 312, 412 changes volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 with respect to time, increasing and decreasing with local minima and maxima (see generally local maxima 512 and local minima 514 of volumetric flow rate as shown in plot 510 of FIG. 7), where, in a consecutive set of 5 of the local maxima, at least some of the 5 consecutive local maxima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute), such as at least 3, at least 4, or all of the 5 consecutive local maxima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute); and/or where, in a consecutive set of 10 of the local maxima, at least some of the 10 consecutive local maxima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute), such as at least 3, at least 7, or all of the 10 consecutive local maxima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute); and/or where, in a consecutive set of 5 of the local minima, at least some of the 5 consecutive local minima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute), such as at least 3, at least 4, or all of the 5 consecutive local minima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute); and/or where, in a consecutive set of 10 of the local minima, at least some of the 10 consecutive local minima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute), such as at least 3, at least 7, or all of the 10 consecutive local minima differ from one another in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 (e.g., by at least 20 cubic feet per minute).

[0026] For example, in one embodiment, local volumetric flow rate of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 changes from local maxima of about 500 cubic feet per minute (ft.sup.3/min), to local minima of about 350 ft.sup.3/min, to local maxima of about 750 ft.sup.3/min, to local minima of about 600 ft.sup.3/min, to local maxima of about 800 ft.sup.3/min, to local minima of about 400 ft.sup.3/min, to local maxima of about 500 ft.sup.3/min, to local minima of about 400 ft.sup.3/min, to local maxima of about 650 ft.sup.3/min, to local minima of about 300 ft.sup.3/min, to local maxima of about 700 ft.sup.3/min, to local minima of about 0 ft.sup.3/min for 3 seconds, to local maxima of about 650 ft.sup.3/min, to local minima of about 550 ft.sup.3/min, to local maxima of about 700 ft.sup.3/min, etc. with continuous, smooth changes of the volumetric flow rate therebetween (e.g., via cubic spline interpolation of the controller 116 or other control algorithms to dampen transitions to/from extrema).

[0027] As indicated above in the Summary, aspects of innovations disclosed herein include a cooling fan (e.g., household fan, table fan, ceiling fan) that blows like natural wind, with gusts. A gust is a generally short but potent blast of wind. Quantitatively, a gust of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 may be defined as change in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 from a first quantity (e.g., quantity 516 as shown in plot 510 of FIG. 7) to a second quantity, and then from the second quantity (e.g., quantity 518 as shown in plot 510 of FIG. 7) to a third quantity (e.g., quantity 520 as shown in plot 510 of FIG. 7), where the first quantity is less than the second quantity and the third quantity is less than the second quantity and the first and third quantities occur within a short period of time from one another. In terms of the above-described local minima and maxima (see generally local maxima 512 and local minima 514 of volumetric flow rate as shown in plot 510 of FIG. 7), first and third quantities may each be local minima and the second quantity may be one of the local maxima of the volumetric flow rate. In some such embodiments, the second quantity is the only local maxima between the first and third quantities. In embodiments, the fan may waver or hold steady at or near the second quantity, such as for a sustained gust.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first quantity is at least 10 cubic feet per minute less than the second quantity, such as at least 20, at least 50, at least 100, or at least 200 cubic feet per minute less than the second quantity, and the second quantity of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 is at least 10 cubic feet per minute greater than the third quantity, such as at least 20, at least 50, at least 100, or at least 200 cubic feet per minute greater than the third quantity. Intermediate quantities of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 of the gust may be greater or less than the first, second, and third quantities. In some such embodiments, during the gust, the third quantity of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow occurs less than 30 seconds after the first quantity, such as less than 10 seconds, less than 5 seconds, less than 3 seconds, or less than 2 seconds after the first quantity. In some such embodiments, at least 50% of gusts during operation of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 in the breeze setting have such characteristics, such as at least 80%, at least 90%, such as all the gusts during operation of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 in the breeze setting. In some embodiments, gusts may be pre-programmed and implemented by the controller 116, without random or pseudo-random numbers. Some such programs may include a repeating pattern of gusts.

[0029] Some gusts may be generally characterized by sudden rapid increases in intensity, which may be followed by sudden decreases, such as to conclude the gusts. According to an exemplary embodiment, during a gust of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410, the volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 increases at a magnitude of at least 2 cubic feet per minute per second (ft.sup.3/(mins)) for at least some period of time between the first and second quantities, such as at least 3 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 5 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 10 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 25 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 50 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 100 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 250 ft.sup.3/(mins) and/or no more than 200 cubic feet per second per second (ft.sup.3/s.sup.2), where the period of time for duration any of such magnitude of increases may be at least 200 milliseconds, at least 500 milliseconds, at least 1 second, at least 2 seconds, at least 3 seconds and/or no more than 30 seconds, no more than 10 seconds. According to an exemplary embodiment, during a gust of the fan, the volumetric flow rate of the airflow decreases at a magnitude of at least 2 ft.sup.3/(mins) for at least some period of time between the second and third quantities, such as at least 3 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 5 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 10 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 25 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 50 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 100 ft.sup.3/(mins), at least 250 ft.sup.3/(mins) and/or no more than 200 ft.sup.3/s.sup.2, where the period of time for duration any of such magnitude of decreases may be at least 200 milliseconds, at least 500 milliseconds, at least 1 second, at least 2 seconds, at least 3 seconds, and/or no more than 30 seconds, no more than 10 seconds.

[0030] Gusts may be characterized by puffs of wind, which may be followed by noticeably large drop-offs in the wind. According to an exemplary embodiment, during a gust of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410, the second quantity of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 is at least 120% of the first quantity, such as at least 150% of the first quantity, at least 200% of the first quantity, or at least 300% of the first quantity. According to an exemplary embodiment, during a gust of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410, the second quantity of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 is at least 120% of the third quantity, such as at least 150% of the third quantity, at least 200% of the third quantity, or at least 300% of the third quantity.

[0031] Gusts may occur such that time between gusts may not feel repetitive or predictable. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 provides gusts with different lengths of time between consecutive gusts, thereby providing a non-repetitive or unpredictable feel of varying timing of gusts. For example, in at least one contemplated embodiment, the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 provides a first gust, followed by 5 seconds of the fan blowing at a low rate, then a second gust, followed by 2 seconds of the fan blowing at a medium rate, then the fan stops for 20 seconds follow by a longer, more powerful gust than the first and second gusts, followed by another 8 seconds of the fan wavering between low and medium speeds, followed by another powerful gust, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 gusts with varying time intervals (e.g., by at least 1 second difference, at least 2 seconds difference) between individual gusts, such as random or pseudo-randomly varying time intervals between gusts (e.g., time interval between consecutive gusts changes at least 10 times in a row, such as at least 20 times in a row, at least 50 times in a row), which is intended to provide a feel of a natural breeze. In other embodiments, time between gusts may be the same, or may be repetitive and/or predictable.

[0032] Gusts may occur such that the peak magnitude of volumetric flow rate of the gusts may not feel repetitive or predictable. In some embodiments, gusts of the breeze setting differ from one another in terms of peak volumetric flow rates between consecutive gusts. In some embodiments, at least some of the gusts of the breeze setting differ from one another by at least 30 cubic feet per minute in local maxima (i.e., peak) volumetric flow rates between consecutive gusts, such as at least 50 cubic feet per minute, 70 cubic feet per minute, 100 cubic feet per minute in local maxima volumetric flow rates between consecutive gusts. In some embodiments, most consecutive gusts of the breeze setting differ from one another by at least 10 cubic feet per minute in peak volumetric flow rates, such as at least 20 cubic feet per minute, 50 cubic feet per minute, 100 cubic feet per minute in local maxima volumetric flow rates between consecutive gusts.

[0033] Discrete jumps and linear ramping of breeze intensity may feel artificial. According to an exemplary embodiment, during a gust of the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 in the breeze setting, the change in volumetric flow rate of the airflow 316, 416 with respect to time (i.e., magnitude of slope of the curve of volumetric flow rate of the airflow (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis) as shown in the plot 510 of FIG. 7), first increases and then decreases between the first and second quantities, such as in terms of cubic feet per minute per second, thereby gentling transition of the volumetric flow rate in a manner that may be similar to gusts in a natural breeze. In terms of the plot 510 showing an exemplary/hypothetical curve of volumetric flow rate of the airflow (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis), such transitions may be shown for example as arcing or concavity up about a minima 514 and concavity down about a maxima 512.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, a household fan 110, 210, 310, 410 includes a motorized impeller 312, 412, a controller 116 coupled to the motorized impeller 312, 412 for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow 316, 416 via the motorized impeller 312, 412, and an interface 314, 414 in communication with the controller 116 for receiving instructions. The motorized impeller 312, 412 includes blades 318, 418 that rotate to motivate airflow 316, 416. The household fan 110, 210, 310, 410 has a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface 314, 414 and implemented via the controller 116 to operate the motorized impeller 312, 412. When functioning in the breeze setting, rate of rotation of the motorized impeller changes with respect to time, increasing and decreasing between local minima and maxima (see generally impeller rotation rate versus time as shown in plot 510 of FIG. 7). For example, in a consecutive set of 5 of the local maxima (see, e.g., quantities 512 as shown in FIG. 7), at least some of the 5 consecutive local maxima differ from one another in terms of rate of rotation of the motorized impeller 312, 412 by at least 5 revolutions per minute, such as by at least 10 revolutions per minute, by at least 20 revolutions per minute, or by at least 50 revolutions per minute.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, when functioning in the breeze setting, the motorized impeller 312, 412 gusts such that, during a gust, the rate of rotation of the motorized impeller increases at least 5% (e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 25%, at least 50%) from an initial lower rate (see, e.g., minima 516 as shown in FIG. 7) to a subsequent higher rate (see, e.g., maxima 518 as shown in FIG. 7) and then, at some point during the gust, decreases at least 5% (e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 25%, at least 50%) from an initial higher rate (see, e.g., maxima 518 as shown in FIG. 7) to a subsequent lower rate (see, e.g., minima 520 as shown in FIG. 7). The subsequent higher rate may be the same as the initial higher rate, in some instances, or may occur at a different time. Further, in some such embodiments, during a gust, change in the rate of rotation with respect to time (i.e., magnitude of slope of rate of rotation versus time curve, for example, as shown in the plot 510 of FIG. 7) of the motorized impeller 312, 412 increases and then decreases between the initial lower rate and the subsequent higher rate, and again increases and then decreases between the initial higher rate and the subsequent lower rate, thereby gentling transitions in the rate of rotation.

[0036] In some such embodiments, the subsequent lower rate occurs less than 30 seconds after the initial lower rate, such as less than 20 seconds, less than 10 seconds, less than 5 seconds after the initial lower rate.

[0037] In some such embodiments, when functioning in the breeze setting, the motorized impeller 312, 412 changes the rate of rotation by at least 5 revolutions per minute (e.g., by at least 10 revolutions per minute, by at least 20 revolutions per minute, by at least 50 revolutions per minute) most every 60 seconds (e.g., at least two-thirds of every 60 seconds, at least once every 60 seconds, at least one every 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, or 10 seconds.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, a household fan 110, 210, 310, 410 includes a motorized impeller 312, 412, a controller 116, and an interface 314, 414. The motorized impeller 312, 412 includes blades 318, 418 that rotate to motivate airflow 316, 416. Surfaces of the blades 318, 418 incline and the motorized impeller 312, 412 includes a rotational mechanism 320, 420 (e.g., linear actuator rack and pinion, chain and sprocket, gearing such as worm and wheel, overcenter linkage or bellcrank), which may be integrated in a hub of the motorized impeller 312, 412, that is connected (e.g., mechanically connected) to the blades 318, 418 to change the incline of the blades 318, 418 and thereby influence the airflow 316, 416. The controller 116 is coupled to (e.g., in electromagnetic communication with, in mechanical communication with) the rotational mechanism 320, 420 of the motorized impeller 312, 412 for changing the incline of the blades 318, 418. The interface 314, 414 is in communication with the controller 116 for receiving instructions.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the household fan 110, 210, 310, 410 has a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface 314, 414 and implemented via the controller 116 to operate the motorized impeller 312, 412. When functioning in the breeze setting, incline of the blades 318, 418 of the motorized impeller 312, 412 changes with respect to time, increasing and decreasing and including local minima and maxima angles with respect to a zero angle of the blades 318, 418, corresponding to an angle where the blades 318, 418 rotate but do not substantially motivate airflow from the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 (e.g., zero angle of attack).

[0040] In some such embodiments, in a consecutive set of 5 of the local maxima angles relative to the zero angle (see, e.g., quantities 512 as shown in FIG. 7), at least some (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or all) of the 5 consecutive local maxima angles differ from one another by at least 2 degrees, such as by at least 3 degrees, by at least 5 degrees, or by at least 10 degrees. In some embodiments, when functioning in the breeze setting, the motorized impeller 312, 412 gusts such that, during a gust, the incline of the blades 318, 418 increases by an angle of at least 5% from an initial lesser angle (see, e.g., minima 516 as shown in FIG. 7) to a subsequent greater angle (see, e.g., maxima 518 as shown in FIG. 7) and then, at some point during the gust, decreases at least 5% from an initial greater angle (see, e.g., maxima 518 as shown in FIG. 7) to a subsequent lesser angle (see, e.g., minima 520 as shown in FIG. 7). In some gusts, the subsequent greater angle may not be the initial greater angle. In some embodiments, the motorized impeller 312, 412 gusts such that, during a gust, change in the incline of the blades 318, 418 with respect to time (i.e., rotational acceleration of the blades, slope of plot 510 as shown in FIG. 7) of the motorized impeller 312, 412 increases and then decreases between the initial lesser angle and the subsequent greater angle, and again increases and then decreases between the initial greater angle and the subsequent lesser angle, thereby gentling transitions in the rate of rotation.

[0041] In some such embodiments, the subsequent lesser angle occurs less than 30 seconds after the initial lesser angle, such as less than 20 seconds, less than 10 seconds, less than 5 seconds after the initial lesser angle.

[0042] In some such embodiments, when functioning in the breeze setting, the motorized impeller changes incline of the blades 318, 418 by at least 3 degrees per minute (e.g., by at least 5 degrees per minute, by at least 10 degrees per minute, by at least 20 degrees per minute) or per 30 seconds, or per 20 seconds.

[0043] In some contemplated embodiments, a household fan (see generally fans 110, 210, 310, 410) includes at least two motorized impellers (see generally motorized impellers 312, 412) connected to a controller as disclosed herein. In a breeze setting, the controller may coordinate operation of the at least two motorized impellers, such as while one is on a higher output setting (e.g., in terms of volumetric flow rate, impeller rotation rate, and/or blade incline angle), another of the motorized impellers of the household fan is on a lower output setting or off; and subsequent thereto, the relative outputs of the motorized impellers are at least in part switched, with the formerly-higher-outputting motorized impeller then at a lower output setting than the former-lower-outputting motorized impeller. A result of the coordination is that airflow generated by the two or more motorized impellers is changed.

[0044] In some such embodiments, a household fan, such as may be located in a single room (e.g., gym, storehouse, barn), includes at least two ceiling-mounted motorized impellers (e.g., high-volume low-speed type fan impellers) that fluctuate output intensity therebetween (e.g., in terms of volumetric flow rate, impeller rotation rate, and/or blade incline angle), as directed by a common controller, to switch or reverse airflow generated thereby, which may reach the ground, such as change direction of the airflow by at least 30 degrees (e.g., at least 60 degrees, at least 90 degrees, 180 degrees) at a location on the ground between and beneath the at least two motorized impellers. Output of one or each of the motorized impellers of such household fans may have any of the characteristics described herein, with the additional constraint that the other motorized impellers of such household fans are coordinated therewith to produce combined effects on the airflow of the corresponding space, such as to provide the feel of a natural breeze. In other embodiments, the two or more motorized impellers may be part of table fans, or other types of household fans.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fan 110, 210, 310, 410 is an electro-mechanical device and includes a housing (e.g., plastic encasement 322 surrounding electrical components such as electric motor and/or metal grating 324 surrounding blades 318 of motorized impeller 312) and conductive conduits 326 (e.g., wires, bus), which may be at least in part located within the housing 322, connecting an electric motor that drives the motorized impeller(s). Electronic componentry, such as conductive conduits 326, are not present for all contemplated embodiments of fans disclosed herein, such as with mechanical fans driven by combustion engines, but are particularly useful and practical because many fans disclosed herein are powered by electricity. Further, conductive conduits 326 may not necessarily be required for electric motor-driven fans powered by batteries etc., if the batteries are directly connected to leads of or integrated with the motors; but again, such conduits 326 may be particularly helpful for many types of electric motors, actuators, etc. Similarly, the housing 322, 324 is not present for all contemplated embodiments of fans disclosed herein, such as for some ceiling fans, etc., but may be particularly useful and practical for many fans disclosed herein, such as to protect componentry and for safety benefits of isolating moving blades and/or electric components.

[0046] The term "household fan" is intended to refer to a cooling fan that cools occupants of a space, such as a home, office, gym, barn, screened-in porch, etc. by way of convection, blowing air generally of or around the space onto and past occupants in the space, such as a portable fan (e.g., axial, centrifugal), ceiling fan, table fan, swivel fan, tower fan, box fan, high-volume low-speed fan, floor fan, etc.; as opposed to fan mechanisms within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, where such fans mechanisms motivate air, but the air is typically heated or cooled to influence temperature of the space and the fans mechanisms are typically inside or behind ductwork of the HVAC system, which may temper variations in the airflow, as disclosed herein, through drag and distance from the occupants. For example, in some embodiments, the household fan is a portable table fan and the blades of the motorized impeller have a diameter of less than four feet; in other embodiments, the household fan is a large ceiling fan and the blades of the motorized impeller have a diameter of at least six feet. With that said, contemplated embodiments of the technology disclosed herein may be incorporated in an HVAC system as opposed to a household fan, such as where fan mechanisms of the HVAC system are positioned on walls/ends of ductwork and the fan mechanisms blow directly onto occupants. For example, technology disclosed herein regarding two or more motorized impellers of a household fan that are coordinated by a controller, as disclosed herein, may be applied to an HVAC system to achieve airflows as disclosed herein, with reversals of direction, random or pseudo-random airflow, and gusts. In some contemplated embodiments, a household fan (e.g., ceiling fan), as disclosed herein, may supplement an HVAC system, such as by further distributing heated or cooled air emanating from ductwork of the HVAC system.

[0047] Local "maxima" and "minima" disclosed herein refer to quantities recognizable beyond noise, where noise is typically minor, irregular fluctuations, vibrations, variations, etc. in real world mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, such as fans, where the influence of the noise is typically less than a 2% change in the parameter at issue, such as volumetric flow rate, incline angle of the blades, or rate of rotation, and generally occurs at high frequency, such as cycling or fluctuating at a sub-second frequencies. Noise can generally be filtered from measurements of such parameters.

[0048] Values of volumetric flow rates disclosed herein are in terms of standard cubic feet per minute, meaning where volumetric flow-rates occur under non-standard conditions, such as high temperatures, high altitudes, high humidity, the values may be corrected to 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (psia), temperature 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and zero relative humidity conditions.

[0049] As used herein, "numbers" include quantities, amounts, or values, as may be selected or pre-selected and recorded or implemented by way of mechanical or electrical resistance, mechanical or electrical power, etc., in a mechanical or electro-mechanical system, such as a fan; as opposed to being strictly limited to symbols or figures representing quantities and used in counting and arithmetic. With that said, such quantities, amounts, or values may be represented in coding, text, etc. in the form of such symbols or figures.

[0050] One advantage of technology disclosed herein is providing a feel of a natural breeze, which may be comfortable. With that said, technology disclosed herein may provide additional or alternative benefits, such as providing a source of white noise, somewhat similar to the sound of ocean waves, in some embodiments. Technology disclosed herein may also entertain or distract recipients of the airflow, such as pets or infants. In some applications, variation of the airflow may vary air currents and fluid forces acting on indoor crops, etc., helping to foster even or robust growth. Accordingly, to achieve such benefits, some embodiments disclosed herein may include some of the attributes and characteristics intended to provide the feel of a natural breeze but not others disclosed herein, such as random intensity variations, strong gusts, and/or etc.

[0051] The construction and arrangements of the fan, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments as would be known by those of skill in the art of household fan engineering without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A household fan for providing the feel of a natural breeze, comprising: a motorized impeller for providing airflow; a controller coupled to the motorized impeller for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow; an interface in communication with the controller for receiving human instructions for the controller; and a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface and implemented via the controller to operate the motorized impeller, wherein the breeze setting varies intensity of the airflow that is output by the motorized impeller, and wherein the breeze setting varies periods of time between local peaks in intensity of the airflow; and wherein the household fan is specifically distinguished from a duct fan of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system within ductwork of the HVAC system where the ductwork tempers variations in airflow from such a duct fan.

2. The household fan of claim 1, wherein, in the breeze setting, local extrema of the intensity are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.

3. The household fan of claim 2, wherein, in the breeze setting, the periods of time are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by the logic of the controller within a bounded range.

4. The household fan of claim 1, wherein, in the breeze setting, the periods of time are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.

5. The household fan of claim 1, wherein the household fan is a table fan that can swivel the motorized impeller and wherein another characteristic of the airflow varied via the breeze setting is direction of the airflow that is output by the motorized impeller, and wherein, in the breeze setting, the direction of the airflow is randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.

6. The household fan of claim 1, wherein, in the breeze setting, the motorized impeller gusts such that, during a gust, the motorized impeller changes volumetric flow rate of the airflow from a first quantity to a second quantity, and then from the second quantity to a third quantity, wherein the first quantity of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow is at least 50 cubic feet per minute less than the second quantity, and the second quantity is at least 50 cubic feet per minute greater than the third quantity, and wherein the third quantity occurs less than 10 seconds after the first quantity.

7. The household fan of claim 6, wherein, during the gust, change in volumetric flow rate of the airflow with respect to time first increases and then decreases between the first and second quantities, thereby gentling transition of the volumetric flow rate.

8. The household fan of claim 6, wherein the volumetric flow rate of the airflow increases by at least 20 cubic feet per minute per second for a period of time between the first and second quantities.

9. The household fan of claim 8, wherein the volumetric flow rate of the airflow increases by the at least 20 cubic feet per minute per second for at least 200 milliseconds between the first and second quantities.

10. The household fan of claim 9, wherein the volumetric flow rate of the airflow increases by the at least 20 cubic feet per minute per second for no more than 5 seconds between the first and second quantities.

11. The household fan of claim 9, wherein the at least 20 cubic feet per minute per second increase is at least 50 cubic feet per minute per second.

12. The household fan of claim 9, wherein the volumetric flow rate of the airflow increases at a magnitude of no more than 200 cubic feet per second per second between the first and second quantities.

13. The household fan of claim 6, wherein the second quantity of the volumetric flow rate of the airflow is at least 150% of the first quantity.

14. The household fan of claim 1, wherein the household fan is configured to provide airflow of at least one hundred and no more than fifteen hundred cubic feet per minute.

15. A household fan in the form of a portable or table fan for providing the feel of a natural breeze, comprising: a motorized impeller for providing airflow, the motorized impeller comprising fan blades and an electric motor; a grating surrounding the fan blades; a power cord having a conductive conduit in communication with the electric motor; a controller coupled to the motorized impeller for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow; an interface in communication with the controller for receiving human instructions for the controller; and a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface and implemented via the controller to operate the motorized impeller, wherein the breeze setting varies intensity of the airflow that is output by the motorized impeller, and wherein the breeze setting varies periods of time between local peaks in intensity of the airflow.

16. The portable or table fan of claim 15, wherein, in the breeze setting, local extrema of the intensity are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.

17. The portable or table fan of claim 15, wherein, in the breeze setting, the periods of time are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.

18. A household fan in the form of a ceiling fan for providing the feel of a natural breeze, comprising: a motorized impeller for providing airflow; hardware to mount the motorized impeller on or in a ceiling, whereby the airflow of the motorized impeller is directed generally downward from the ceiling; a controller coupled to the motorized impeller for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow; an interface in communication with the controller for receiving human instructions for the controller; and a breeze setting to be selected by way of the interface and implemented via the controller to operate the motorized impeller, wherein the breeze setting varies intensity of the airflow that is output by the motorized impeller, and wherein the breeze setting varies periods of time between local peaks in intensity of the airflow.

19. The ceiling fan of claim 18, wherein, in the breeze setting, local extrema of the intensity are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.

20. The ceiling fan of claim 18, wherein, in the breeze setting, the periods of time are randomly or pseudo-randomly selected by logic of the controller within a bounded range.