Fan with integrated plenum

Abstract

A condenser fan assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided including a plurality of blades, an electric motor in mechanical communication with the plurality of blades, and a fan housing. The fan housing is configured to separate the utility compartment defined by a cabinet of the refrigerator appliance into two zones. The fan housing includes a plenum, one or more support arms, and a backplate. The electric motor is attached the backplate, and the plenum, the one or more support arms, and the backplate are all formed integrally to increase an efficiency of the condenser fan assembly.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A condenser fan assembly for a refrigerator appliance comprising:
 a plurality of blades;   an electric motor in mechanical communication with the plurality of blades; and   a fan housing configured to separate a utility compartment within the refrigerator into two zones, the fan housing comprising
 a plenum; 
 one or more support arms; and 
 a backplate, the electric motor attached to the backplate and the one or more support arms extending from the backplate towards the plenum, wherein the plenum, the backplate, and the one or more support arms are formed integrally. 
   
     
     
         2 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fan housing further comprises
 a fan shroud defining an orifice, wherein the plurality of blades are positioned in the orifice of the fan shroud, and wherein the fan shroud is formed integrally with the plenum, the backplate, and the one or more support arms.   
     
     
         3 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more support arms extend from the backplate to the fan shroud, and wherein the fan shroud extends between the support arms and the plenum. 
     
     
         4 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the fan housing defines an upstream side, a downstream side, and an outer perimeter, wherein the fan housing extends continuously between the fan shroud and the outer perimeter to form an air tight seal between the upstream side and the downstream side from between the fan shroud and the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         5 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the fan housing defines an upstream side and a downstream side, and wherein the fan shroud extends outwardly along an axial direction from the plenum on the downstream side of the fan housing. 
     
     
         6 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the fan housing further comprises a lip extending outwardly along an axial direction from the plenum, the lip configured to support a condenser assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of blades each extend between a base and a tip, wherein the fan shroud defines an inner surface extending circumferentially around the orifice, and wherein the condenser fan assembly defines a clearance between the tips of the plurality of blades and the inner surface that is less than seven millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fan housing further defines an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter configured to form a seal with the utility compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the condenser fan assembly further comprises a gasket extending around the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The condenser fan assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the gasket is formed integrally with the fan housing. 
     
     
         11 . A refrigerator appliance comprising
 a cabinet defining at least one refrigerated compartment and a utility compartment;   a sealed system configured to provide cooled air to the at least one refrigerated compartment, the sealed system including a condenser positioned in the utility compartment;   an electric motor positioned in the utility compartment adjacent to the condenser and in mechanical communication with a plurality of blades; and   a condenser fan housing configured to separate the utility compartment into a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone, the condenser fan housing comprising
 a plenum; 
 one or more support arms; and 
 a backplate, the electric motor attached to the backplate and the one or more support arms extending from the backplate towards the plenum, wherein the plenum, the backplate, and the one or more support arms are formed integrally. 
   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the fan housing further comprises
 a fan shroud defining an orifice, wherein the plurality of blades are positioned in the orifice of the fan shroud, and wherein the fan shroud is formed integrally with the plenum, the backplate, and the one or more support arms.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more support arms extend from the backplate to the fan shroud, and wherein the fan shroud extends between the support arms and the plenum. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the fan housing defines an upstream side, a downstream side, and an outer perimeter, wherein the fan housing extends continuously between the fan shroud and the outer perimeter to form an air tight seal between the upstream side and the downstream side from between the fan shroud and the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the fan housing defines an upstream side and a downstream side, and wherein the fan shroud extends outwardly along an axial direction from the plenum on the downstream side of the fan housing. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the fan housing further comprises a lip extending outwardly along an axial direction from the plenum, the lip configured to support a condenser assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of blades each extend between a base and a tip, wherein the fan shroud defines an inner surface extending circumferentially around the orifice, and wherein the condenser fan housing defines a clearance between the tips of the plurality of blades and the inner surface that is less than seven millimeters. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the fan housing further defines an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter configured to form a seal with the utility compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the refrigerator appliance further comprises a gasket extending around the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the gasket is formed integrally with the condenser fan housing.