Air movement system and method

Abstract

An air movement system and methods for moving air within a building structure to effect, for example, drying of newly poured sub-grades, drying building materials due to water leakage (e.g., rain, flood) and generally improving air quality within such structures. The system includes a plurality of fans operatively coupled to a power generator, all of which is readily set-up and repositionable. A primary unit having at least two fans mounted on a trailer via bases, and the power generator provides transportability and mobility and preferably includes a mounting hitch to allow towing. The fan bases preferably have both a horizontal axis, for controlling the pitch/tilt of the fan, and a vertical axis, for adjusting the directional air flow from the fan. The axes allow air flow about 360 degrees in a horizontal plane and at a range of angles above and below that horizontal plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile air movement system comprising:
 a primary unit comprising a transportable platform configured to be secured to a vehicle and positioned within a building structure;   a power generator secured to the platform; and   a first fan adjustably attached to a first base and a second fan adjustably attached to a second base, wherein both the first and second bases are secured to the platform and the first and second fans are electrically coupled to the power generator;   wherein the first and second bases each have a vertical pivot perpendicular to the platform to allow rotation of the fans and a horizontal pivot parallel to the platform to allow tilting of the fans.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary unit comprising a second transportable platform configured to be secured to a vehicle and positioned proximate the primary unit. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 2 , wherein the secondary unit further comprises at least a third fan adjustably attached to a third base, wherein the third base is secured to the second platform and the third fan is electrically connectable to the power generator. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 3 , wherein the third base has a vertical pivot perpendicular to the second platform to allow rotation of the third fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the second platform to allow tilting of the third fan. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 3 , wherein the secondary unit comprises a fourth fan adjustably attached to a fourth base, wherein the fourth base is secured to the second platform and the fourth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 2 , further comprising a tertiary unit comprising a third transportable platform configured to be secured to a vehicle and positioned proximate the primary unit. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 6 , wherein the tertiary unit further comprises at least a fifth fan adjustably attached to a fifth base, wherein the fifth base is secured to the third platform and the fifth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 7 , wherein the fifth base has a vertical pivot perpendicular to the third platform to allow rotation of the fifth fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the third platform to allow tilting of the fifth fan. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile air movement system of  claim 7 , wherein the tertiary unit comprises a sixth fan adjustably attached to a sixth base, wherein the sixth base is secured to the third platform and the sixth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator. 
     
     
         10 . A method for moving air within an open-space building structure comprising the steps of:
 positioning a primary unit within the open-space building structure, the primary unit comprising a transportable platform, a power generator secured to the platform, and a first fan adjustably attached to a first base and a second fan adjustably attached to a second base, wherein both the first and second bases are secured to the platform and the first and second fans are electrically coupled to the power generator, wherein the first and second bases each have a vertical pivot perpendicular to the platform to allow rotation of the fans and a horizontal pivot parallel to the platform to allow tilting of the fans;   positioning a secondary unit proximate the primary unit, the secondary unit comprising a second transportable platform, at least a third fan adjustably attached to a third base, wherein the third base is secured to the second platform and the third fan is electrically connectable to the power generator, the third base having a vertical pivot perpendicular to the second platform to allow rotation of the third fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the second platform to allow tilting of the third fan;   connecting the first fan, second fan and at least a third fan to the power generator;   setting an air flow direction for each fan by manipulating the vertical and horizontal pivots for each fan base; and   operating the power generator to power the fans.   
     
     
         11 . The method for moving air as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 positioning a tertiary unit proximate the primary unit, the tertiary unit comprising a third transportable platform, at least a fifth fan adjustably attached to a fifth base, wherein the fifth base is secured to the third platform and the fifth fan is electrically connectable to the power generator, the fifth base having a vertical pivot perpendicular to the third platform to allow rotation of the fifth fan and a horizontal pivot parallel to the third platform to allow tilting of the fifth fan; and   connecting the at least a fifth fan to the power generator;   setting an air flow direction for the at least fifth fan by manipulating the vertical and horizontal pivots for the fan base; and   operating the power generator to power the at least fifth fan.   
     
     
         12 . The method for moving air as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of periodically resetting the air flow direction for each fan.