Topher925 said:So the thing isn't really blade-less is it? Its just that the fan itself is housed in the base. Wouldn't a regular fan be a lot more efficient (along with cheaper) than one of these iFans?
DaveC426913 said:OK, technically the "bladeless" claim is false, but functionally (i.e. as a user uses it), it is true. I think that is a valid claim, since he's selling a product, not an engineering design. All the user-focused things relevant in a bladed fan do not exist in this device. And that's what's important.
Tell me, would anyone likewise cry foul at the claim that a hovercraft is a wheelless vehicle? I could probably find hundreds of wheels in a hovercraft, yet...
minger said:I don't really think you're talking apples and apples here. Sure, in a hovercraft, there may be wheels that support secondary systems and such; the wheels aren't integral to the concept and idea of a hovercraft.
When I think of a fan, or even an "air moving device" that has claims of "bladeless", then I sure as hell don't expect circular ducting sitting on top of a normal desk fan.
What is it being ripped off of?FredGarvin said:I think I'll still stick with the "rip off" label myself.
I mean a rip off in terms of $300 for a cheap fan.DaveC426913 said:What is it being ripped off of?
FredGarvin said:I mean a rip off in terms of $300 for a cheap fan.
Please. It's a DC brushless motor in a plastic housing with a plastic hoop on the top.DaveC426913 said:How do you know it's cheap?
Yes its probably a centrifugal blower, required to generate the extra static pressure. If you see a $300 scDaveC426913 said:My point is that, as a product, it is a bladeless fan.
It does not operate like a bladed fan; it does not have the dangers or annoyances of a bladed fan. (Also, I'll bet dollars to donuts it is not a normal desk fan in the base.)
He's selling a product, not trying to wow physics buffs with some alleged new technology.
sanman said:How long until Chinese-made knockoffs appear?
And what are the limitations on this design? Could you have a giant ceiling fan of this type?
Could you turn it into a CPU-fan or power supply fan for your PC or laptop?
Could this thing be used in a propulsion system, to propel a vehicle and give it lift?
Could it work in water or a similar liquid?
Could it propel a ship, or a submarine, or motorboat? Sometimes you hear about whales or manatees being cut by propeller blades from boats. Could this be a cure for that?
sanman said:x-posted from Mechanical Engineering forum:
That makes me wonder - could similar principles be used to come up with a bladeless wind turbine? Some environmentalists are concerned that wind turbine blades could pose a hazard to birds. I'm wondering if Dyson's approach couldn't be used to rectify that?
Also, many residential areas might have zoning laws against things like wind turbines, but if they could be made bladeless then perhaps they might be exempted from such restrictions.
So rather than being an "air multiplier", I suppose it would be an "air concentrator".
Is such a concept possible? If so, would such a device prove to have comparable efficiency to standard wind turbines?
No.The fundamental flaw in every wind turbine is that none of them actually speed up the air...
50%*3=150% efficient? No.The current systems extract less than 50% of the wind’s energy and are only working about a third of the time!
According to Dragonfly, the nature of the new turbine’s inner wing design increases the air speed to create more power – up to three times the average of a standard wind generator.
Uh, diffusers diffuse. They decrease air velocity, they don't increase it! By definition!The chambers act as defusers so by the time the air reaches the third chamber, the smallest, the air inside is moving as fast as the air outside.
No, that's not what the SR-71 inlet cone was for. The SR-71 inlet cone basically just ensured that the cone shaped shock wave generated by the tip of the cone hit the inside of the inlet. The shock wave gets tighter as the plane accelerates, so the cone moves out.The nacelle of the Dragonfly was inspired by the technology of the SR 71 Blackbird, with a unique nose cone capable of expanding over 600% in size, increasing or decreasing the air speed and flow passing through the unit.
Solidworks is a software company, not an engineering company. They don't do the analysis for you!According to Dragonfly Industries, two computer dynamic fluid (CDF) tests on the design were completed by an independent software company, SolidWorks, and the results are promising for moving forward with prototypes.
Uh - above it said that a typical turbine is 50% efficient and that this generated 3x more power...and proves that more than 59% of the wind’s power can be harvested with the right design.
russ_watters said:No. Uh, diffusers diffuse. They decrease air velocity, they don't increase it! By definition!
No, that's not what the SR-71 inlet cone was for. The SR-71 inlet cone basically just ensured that the cone shaped shock wave generated by the tip of the cone hit the inside of the inlet. The shock wave gets tighter as the plane accelerates, so the cone moves out.
Solidworks is a software company, not an engineering company. They don't do the analysis for you!
mgb_phys said:The fan is in the base - it pushes air through the circumference of the ring where it comes out along the axis through tiny holes.
The idea is a smoother airflow and no whirling blades - so quieter and safer
Dyson's bladeless fan uses Air Multiplier technology, which draws in air through the base and then amplifies it to create a smooth, powerful stream of air.
The fan's motor is located in the base and drives a small impeller, which draws in air and pushes it through a narrow opening in the circular loop. This creates a jet of air that is then amplified by the surrounding air, producing a smooth and powerful stream.
Yes, the bladeless fan is considered safer because there are no visible blades that could potentially cause harm. The air is also not chopped and disrupted like in traditional fans, making it a safer option for children and pets.
There are several advantages to using a bladeless fan, including its sleek design, quiet operation, and energy efficiency. It also provides a more consistent and powerful airflow compared to traditional fans.
One potential downside is the higher cost compared to traditional fans. Additionally, the bladeless fan may not be as effective in cooling larger rooms or spaces. Some users may also find the lack of a visible blade less aesthetically pleasing.