Airflow system and apparatus and method for airflow system

Abstract

An airflow system enhances airflow in a hand-drying apparatus which expels a stream of sterilised, hot air for drying of hands. Inside the apparatus, the airflow is decelerated by one or more filters. Therefore, the system is provided with an airflow-pathway that is progressively smaller along its pathway in respect of flowthrough cross-section. The airflow is enhanced by flowing initially through a larger part of the airflow-pathway, and subsequently through a smaller part of the airflow-pathway after which the airflow exits the apparatus. To enhance the airflow, a universal commutator motor is used to drive an appliance that provides air movement. The motor comprises magnetic field generating means, a rotating armature adapted for rotational motion in operative association with the magnetic field. A ratio of magnetic field strength at the armature to the magnetic field strength within the magnetic field is less than about 1 to 1.

1 . An airflow system adapted to enhance airflow in a hand-drying apparatus which expels a stream of substantially sterilised, hot air that is heated by a heating-means for drying of hands, where the airflow inside the apparatus is decelerated by one or more filters through which the airflow passes,
 wherein the system, downstream of the heating-means, is provided with an airflow-pathway that is progressively smaller along its pathway in respect of flowthrough cross-section,   such that, in use, the airflow is enhanced by flowing initially through a larger part of the airflow-pathway,   and subsequently through a smaller part of the airflow-pathway after which the airflow exits the apparatus.   
   
   
       2 . A system of  claim 1  wherein the airflow-pathway includes at least a part that has a degree of taper. 
   
   
       3 . A system of  claim 2  wherein the degree of taper is able to be selectively varied by the user. 
   
   
       4 . A system of  claim 1  wherein the degree of taper of the airflow-pathway is able to be selectively varied by the user substituting a replacement airflow-pathway device of different size preferably selected from a range of passageways of differing degrees of taper. 
   
   
       5 . A system of  claim 2  wherein the airflow-pathway includes parts that are not tapered. 
   
   
       6 . A system of  claim 1  wherein the hand-drying apparatus, in which the system is adapted to be used, comprises:
 a completely sealed apparatus-housing that includes therein a fan-casing containing a fan.   
   
   
       7 . A system of  claim 6  wherein all airflow enters the apparatus-housing through initial main-inlet-means on the apparatus-housing,
 and all airflow subsequently enters the fan-casing through final main-inlet-means on the fan-casing,   wherein the initial main-inlet-means is larger than the final main-inlet-means such that, in use, the airflow is enhanced by flowing initially through the larger initial main-inlet-means,   and subsequently through the smaller final main-inlet-means.   
   
   
       8 . A system of  claim 7  where the larger initial main-inlet-means and the smaller final main-inlet-means have flowthrough cross-sections which have a ratio of around 1.38 relative to one another. 
   
   
       9 . A system of  claim 6  wherein the fan is a dual-fan comprising two fan-halves each of which is adapted to draw in airflow into the fan-casing. 
   
   
       10 . A system of  claim 1  wherein the airflow inside the apparatus is decelerated by a plurality of filters 
   
   
       11 . An airflow system of  claim 1  in which the airflow through the system is driven by a fan apparatus that is activated by a universal commutator motor. 
   
   
       12 . A sterilising hand-drying apparatus which includes an improved airflow system of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       13 . A method of enhancing airflow through a hand-drying apparatus that expels a stream of substantially sterilised, hot air that is heated by a heating-means for drying of hands, where the airflow inside the apparatus is decelerated by one or more filters through which the airflow passes,
 wherein the method includes providing the apparatus with an airflow system which, downstream of the heating-means, includes an airflow-pathway that is progressively smaller along its pathway in respect of flowthrough cross-section,   and, in use, enhancing the airflow by causing the airflow to flow initially through a larger part of the airflow-pathway,   and subsequently through a smaller part of the airflow-pathway after which the airflow exits the apparatus.   
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A hand-drying apparatus airflow system adapted to enhance airflow in an apparatus that expels a stream of substantially sterilised, hot air that is heated by a heating-means for drying of hands, where the airflow inside the apparatus is decelerated by one or more filters through which the airflow passes,
 wherein the hand-drying apparatus comprises a completely sealed apparatus-housing that includes therein a fan-casing containing a fan,   wherein the fan is a dual-fan comprising two fan-halves each of which is adapted to draw in airflow into the fan-casing.   
   
   
       16 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . An airflow system adapted to enhance airflow in a hand-drying apparatus which expels a stream of substantially sterilised, hot air that is heated by a heating-means for drying of hands, where the airflow inside the apparatus is decelerated by one or more filters through which the airflow passes,
 wherein the system is provided with an airflow-pathway that is progressively smaller along its pathway in respect of flowthrough cross-section,   such that, in use, the airflow is enhanced by flowing initially through a larger part of the airflow-pathway,   and subsequently through a smaller part of the airflow-pathway after which the airflow exits the apparatus.   
   
   
       36 . A system of  claim 35  where the airflow-pathway that is progressively smaller along its pathway is provided downstream of the heating-means. 
   
   
       37 - 38 . (canceled)