Enclosure and manifold for adapting nonconforming fans for use in harsh or wet environments

Abstract

A fan enclosure that has manifolds connected to the inlet and outlet of the fan that provides an airtight connection. The manifolds, once connected to the enclosure, provide a pass through of the enclosure for the fan, thereby not requiring the enclosure to be pressurized. A condensate bypass can be installed both on the discharge manifold and the fan impeller body. Both condensate bypasses can be piped to the inlet manifold, preventing moisture accumulation in the fan and the enclosure. The fan enclosure helps prevent contamination and explosive gas in the air stream from coming in contact with the fan motor's electrical components and bearings. The fan enclosure reduces the contamination of the impeller bearing, does not draw or push air through the electrical conduit connected to the enclosure, and the enclosure is not required to be airtight to preform properly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fan enclosure comprising:
 an enclosure;   an inlet manifold disposed inside the enclosure;   an inlet fitting fluidly connecting the inlet manifold outside of the enclosure;   a fan housing fluidly connected to the inlet manifold;   an outlet manifold fluidly connected to the fan housing; and   an outlet fitting fluidly connecting the outlet manifold outside of the enclosure, wherein   a fan motor is disposed inside the enclosure, outside of an air flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The fan enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising an outlet manifold drain line operable to drain liquid from the outlet manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The fan enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the outlet manifold drain line drains liquid into the inlet fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The fan enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the outlet manifold has a U-channel shape to allow liquid to collect and drain out of the outlet manifold drain line. 
     
     
         5 . The fan enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan housing drain line operable to drain liquid from the fan housing. 
     
     
         6 . The fan enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein the fan housing drain line drains liquid into the inlet fitting. 
     
     
         7 . A fan enclosure comprising:
 an enclosure;   an inlet manifold disposed inside the enclosure;   an inlet fitting fluidly connecting the inlet manifold outside of the enclosure;   a fan housing fluidly connected to the inlet manifold;   an outlet manifold fluidly connected to the fan housing;   an outlet fitting fluidly connecting the outlet manifold outside of the enclosure;   an outlet manifold drain line operable to drain liquid from the outlet manifold; and   a fan housing drain line operable to drain liquid from the fan housing, wherein   a fan motor is disposed inside the enclosure, outside of an air flow path.   
     
     
         8 . The fan enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet manifold drain line drains liquid into the inlet fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The fan enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet manifold has a U-channel shape to allow liquid to collect and drain out of the outlet manifold drain line. 
     
     
         10 . The fan enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the fan housing drain line drains liquid into the inlet fitting.