| Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder -> Monitor Keywords |
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Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinderRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Interrelated Or Common Lubricating Or Cooling Means For Pump And MotorFan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060104833, Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The invention relates generally to the field of pumps, such as compressors and vacuum pumps, and more particularly, to a compressor having a fan guard with a channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder. [0004] Reciprocating piston or diaphragm pumps typically have a metal housing, for example, a cast aluminum alloy, in which bearings are mounted which journal the shaft which drives the pump. A metal housing is needed, particularly for larger pumps, to withstand the forces of driving the piston or diaphragm and containing the pressure exerted in the compression chamber of the pump. [0005] A rotary electric motor is usually used to drive these pumps and the motor requires cooling. In one such pump, the motor is provided between two housings, each of which is separate from the other and houses one compression chamber. The shaft of the motor is a through shaft so that each end of the shaft mounts one of the pistons or diaphragms that work to vary the volume of the compression chamber in the housing at the corresponding end of the shaft. Further out from where the piston or diaphragm is mounted, a rotary fan blade is mounted to each end of the shaft to draw a flow of cooling air into the housing at that end and blow it onto the rotor and stator coils of the motor. [0006] For cooling efficiency, it is desirable to make the part of the housing in which the rotary fan blade is mounted circular and just slightly larger than the diameter of the fan blade. The clearance between the tips of the fan blades and the interior housing surface should be as small as possible because, if not, the air drawn into the housing by the fan blades will simply blow back out past the tips of the blade, and not be directed over the coils of the motor. For applications in which the pump is contained inside of a separate enclosure, it may be permissible to leave open the end of the housing at which the fan blade is mounted. However, if the pump is going to be exposed or sold as a stand-alone product, the end of the housing must be closed with a cover that permits air to be drawn into the housing, but prevents the insertion of larger objects or fingers. This cover, typically called a fan guard, should not deleteriously affect the operation of the fan nor add to the lateral size or detract from the appearance of the fan. [0007] The effectiveness of the cooling system in reducing the stator temperature of the motor affects the range of applications in which the pump may be employed. The voltage at which the motor is driven and the output pressure of the pump affect the amount of heat that is generated in the motor. More effective cooling expands the range of applications suitable for a given pump and motor. [0008] The motor is not the only temperature-sensitive component in a pump. Wobble pistons are sometimes used in oil-less air compressors and vacuum pumps. A wobble piston includes a peripheral seal on the piston head that engages the cylinder bore. The piston head and its connecting rod are fixed to each other, and the connecting rod is mounted on an eccentric on a shaft. As the eccentric is turned by the shaft, the wobble piston is moved in and out and "wobbles" from side to side. Wobble pistons typically employ a Teflon.RTM. or other similar material disc or cup which serves both as a guide for the wobble piston and as a pneumatic seal between the piston and the wall of the cylinder in which it moves. The working surface of the cylinder has a hardened polished surface, providing a smooth surface for cooperating with the Teflon.RTM. seal of the piston. The service life of the Teflon.RTM. material depends in part on the temperature of the cylinder with which the seal interfaces. A higher temperature typically corresponds to a shorter service life due to increased friction between the cup and the cylinder wall. [0009] The bearings used to support the motor shaft also have a service life determined at least in part by temperature. Generally, a higher bearing temperature equates to a shorter bearing service life. [0010] Hence, cooling efficiency not only affects the range of applications for a particular pump, but also the service life of temperature-sensitive components in the pump. The present invention addresses these problems. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention is directed generally to a fan guard that directs cooling air flow to a piston cylinder. [0012] One aspect of the invention is seen in a pump including a housing, a shaft supported by the housing, a piston assembly, a fan blade, and a fan guard. The piston assembly includes a piston cylinder and is operably coupled to the shaft. The fan blade is operable to generate cooling flow. The fan guard is mounted to the housing and includes a channel configured to direct at least a first portion of the cooling flow to the piston cylinder. [0013] Another aspect of the present invention is seen in a fan guard. The fan guard includes a front surface defining a cooling flow opening and sidewalls defining a channel having a first end proximate the cooling flow opening. A baffle is positioned proximate a second end of the channel. [0014] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pump in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is a partial cross section view of the pump of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 3 is an end view of the pump of FIG. 1 with the fan guard removed; and [0019] FIG. 4 is an isometric back view of a fan guard employed in the pump of FIG. 1. Continue reading about Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder... Full patent description for Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and system for cooling a pump Next Patent Application: Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fan guard having channel to direct cooling air to a piston cylinder patent info. 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