Ceiling fan apparatus and method of operation therefor

Abstract

The invention comprises a ceiling fan method and apparatus configured to aid in distribution of air within a space. Optional ceiling fan elements include one or more of: coupling the ceiling fan to a cool air line from an air conditioner, curvature of fan blades on the ceiling fan, cuts and/or apertures leading through the fan blades, cool air distribution lines within the fan blades, and air flow boosters incorporated in the fan blades.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a ceiling fan, comprising:
 a motor; and 
 at least one fan blade indirectly coupled to said motor, said fan blade comprising an air pathway therethrough. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said air pathway comprising a cool air line, said cool air line configured at a first end to deliver cold air to a room, said cool air line configured at a second end for connection to at least one of:
 an air conditioner located in a separate room from location of said fan blade;   a heat pump; and   an evaporative cooler.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said cool air line runs longitudinally through at least one-half of said fan blade to a lower opening on said lower side of said fan blade. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein, within said fan blade, said cool air line comprises a plurality of differing vertical cross-sectional areas as a function of distance along the longitudinal axis of said fan blade. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a manifold, said manifold configured to receive cool air from said cool air line, said manifold configured to distribute the cool air through at least two openings in said fan blade.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a plurality of blade conduits, wherein said plurality of fan blade conduits each connect to said manifold, each of said plurality of fan blade conduits configured to deliver cold air from said manifold to a room.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of blade conduits, wherein said plurality of fan blade conduits each connect to said cool air line, each of said plurality of fan blade conduits configured to deliver cold air from said manifold to a room.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a blade stabilization path in said fan blade, said blade stabilization path configured as a tunnel from an upper surface of said fan blade to a lower surface of said fan blade, said blade stabilization path separate from said cool air line.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a flow booster, said flow booster connected to both:
 said cool air line; and 
 an ambient air line, said ambient air line configured to run from ambient air through said fan blade to said booster, said booster configured to boost flow of airflow through said cool air line using said ambient air. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a first vertical cross-sectional area of said cool air line before said booster is at least fifty percent greater than a second vertical cross-sectional area of said cool air line within said booster. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said air pathway in said fan blade comprises:
 a first opening at a top surface of said fan blade;   a second opening at a bottom surface of said fan blade; and   a leading edge of said fan blade relative to direction of rotation of said fan blade during use.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said fan blade comprises a curved upper surface along said top surface of said fan blade from said leading edge of said fan blade to said first opening of said fan blade. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said fan blade comprises a curved lower surface along said bottom surface of said fan blade from said leading edge of said fan blade to said second opening of said fan blade. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said opening comprises at least one curved outer wall through said fan blade. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a first distance from said leading edge of said fan blade through said first opening to said second opening is greater than a second distance from said leading edge of said fan blade along said bottom surface of said fan blade to said second opening. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein no portion of said first opening vertically aligns with any portion of said second opening. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an air line configured for delivery of cold air, wherein said air line provides cold air to said air pathway, said air pathway connecting said first opening at said top surface of said fan blade to said second opening at said bottom surface of said fan blade.   
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 providing a ceiling fan, said ceiling fan comprising:
 a motor; and 
 at least one fan blade indirectly coupled to said motor, said fan blade comprising an air pathway therethrough; and 
   moving air in a room using said ceiling fan.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 moving cool air to the room using a cool air line, said cool air line configured for connection at a first end to said air pathway in said ceiling fan, said cool air line configured for connection at a second end to at least one of:
 an air conditioner located in a separate room from location of said fan blade; 
 a heat pump; and 
 an evaporative cooler. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said air pathway in said fan blade comprises:
 a first opening at a top surface of said fan blade;   a second opening at a bottom surface of said fan blade; and   a leading edge of said fan blade relative to direction of rotation of said fan blade during use,   wherein a first distance from said leading edge of said fan blade through said first opening to said second opening is greater than a second distance from said leading edge of said fan blade along said bottom surface of said fan blade to said second opening.