Fan for an apparatus for the regulated delivery of a gas, in particular oxygen

Abstract

This fan ( 1 ) includes a volute ( 2 ) whose inlet opening ( 3 ) is in communication with the oxygen feed line, an impeller ( 4 ) situated immediately downstream of the inlet opening of the volute and including an inlet opening connected to this inlet opening ( 3 ) of the volute and outlet orifices ( 4 a ) emerging into the volute ( 2 ), and an electric motor ( 5 ) for rotating the impeller ( 4 ). The fan ( 1 ) includes: —a compartment ( 6 ) in which the motor ( 5 ) and, where appropriate, other electric elements or components belonging to the fan ( 1 ) are placed, this compartment ( 6 ) including an end wall ( 13 ) traversed by the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) and being supplied with pressurized air, and—a leak collection chamber ( 7 ) situated intermediately between the volute ( 2 ) and the compartment ( 6 ), this chamber likewise being traversed by the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) and including a discharge orifice ( 20 ).

1 . Fan ( 1 ) used in an apparatus for the regulated delivery of a gas, in particular oxygen, comprising a volute ( 2 ) whose inlet opening ( 3 ) is in communication with the oxygen feed line, an impeller ( 4 ) situated immediately downstream of the inlet opening ( 3 ) of the volute ( 2 ) and comprising an inlet opening connected to this inlet opening ( 3 ) of the volute ( 2 ) and outlet orifices ( 4   a ) emerging into the volute ( 2 ), and an electric motor ( 5 ) for rotating the impeller ( 4 ), characterized in that it comprises:
 a compartment ( 6 ) in which the motor ( 5 ) and, where appropriate, other electric elements or components belonging to the fan ( 1 ) are placed, this compartment ( 6 ) comprising an end wall ( 13 ) traversed by the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) and being supplied with pressurized air, and   a leak collection chamber ( 7 ) situated intermediately between the volute ( 2 ) and the said compartment ( 6 ), this chamber likewise being traversed by the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) and comprising a discharge orifice ( 20 ).   
   
   
       2 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) comprises at least one deflector member ( 17 ) for separating the respective air and oxygen flows and for orienting these flows in directions which are substantially perpendicular to the shaft of the motor ( 5 ). 
   
   
       3 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an impeller ( 15 ) arranged opposite the air inlet opening ( 10 ) belonging to the compartment ( 6 ). 
   
   
       4 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the impeller ( 15 ) belonging to the compartment ( 6 ) is arranged on the drive shaft for the impeller ( 4 ) situated in the volute ( 2 ), and is driven by the same motor ( 5 ) as the latter. 
   
   
       5 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the walls defining the compartment ( 6 ) comprise one or more openings ( 11 ) emerging directly into the said collection chamber ( 7 ). 
   
   
       6 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the compartment ( 6 ) comprises an internal transverse wall ( 12 ) which is distinct from the said end wall ( 13 ) and which is perforated by at least one hole ( 16 ) for the flow of air across this wall. 
   
   
       7 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the said internal transverse wall ( 12 ) is formed integrally with other walls defining the compartment ( 6 ) and serves to centre the motor ( 5 ) in this compartment ( 6 ). 
   
   
       8 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the said end wall ( 13 ) is composed of a thin plate. 
   
   
       9 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the wall ( 2   a ) of the volute ( 2 ) that is traversed by the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) is composed of a thin plate. 
   
   
       10 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the collection chamber ( 7 ) is divided into two adjoining subchambers ( 7   a ,  7   b ), one of which, situated adjacent to the volute ( 2 ), is mainly intended to collect the flow of oxygen coming from this volute ( 2 ) and the other of which, situated adjacent to the said compartment ( 6 ), is mainly intended to collect the flow of air coming from this compartment ( 6 ), each subchamber ( 7   a ,  7   b ) comprising a discharge orifice ( 20   a ,  20   b ) which is specific to it. 
   
   
       11 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that it comprises an impeller ( 15 ) arranged opposite the air inlet opening ( 10 ) belonging to the compartment ( 6 ). 
   
   
       12 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the walls defining the compartment ( 6 ) comprise one or more openings ( 11 ) emerging directly into the said collection chamber ( 7 ). 
   
   
       13 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the compartment ( 6 ) comprises an internal transverse wall ( 12 ) which is distinct from the said end wall ( 13 ) and which is perforated by at least one hole ( 16 ) for the flow of air across this wall. 
   
   
       14 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the said end wall ( 13 ) is composed of a thin plate. 
   
   
       15 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the wall ( 2   a ) of the volute ( 2 ) that is traversed by the shaft of the motor ( 5 ) is composed of a thin plate. 
   
   
       16 . Fan ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the collection chamber ( 7 ) is divided into two adjoining subchambers ( 7   a ,  7   b ), one of which, situated adjacent to the volute ( 2 ), is mainly intended to collect the flow of oxygen coming from this volute ( 2 ) and the other of which, situated adjacent to the said compartment ( 6 ), is mainly intended to collect the flow of air coming from this compartment ( 6 ), each subchamber ( 7   a ,  7   b ) comprising a discharge orifice ( 20   a ,  20   b ) which is specific to it.