Modular fan systems and assemblies

Abstract

A modular fan assembly includes a fan unit and a mount assembly removably connected to the fan unit. The fan unit may include a fan housing, an impeller disposed within the fan housing, a motor coupled to the impeller to drive the impeller, and first electrical contacts disposed on the fan housing. The first electrical contacts can electrically communicate with the motor. The mount assembly may include a support housing removably connected to at least a portion of the fan housing and second electrical contacts disposed on the support housing. The second electrical contacts can electrically communicate with the first electrical contacts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular fan assembly comprising:
 a fan unit including:
 a fan housing; 
 an impeller disposed within the fan housing; 
 a motor coupled to the impeller to drive the impeller; and 
 first electrical contacts disposed on the fan housing,
 wherein the first electrical contacts are configured to electrically communicate with the motor; 
 
   a mount assembly removably connected to the fan unit, the mount assembly including:
 a support housing removably connected to at least a portion of the fan housing; and 
 second electrical contacts disposed on the support housing, 
 wherein the second electrical contacts are configured to electrically communicate with the first electrical contacts. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit is adjustable relative to a portion of the mount assembly when the fan unit is connected to the support housing. 
     
     
         3 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mount assembly further includes an elongated support member connected to the support housing. 
     
     
         4 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the support housing is movable respective to the elongated support member. 
     
     
         5 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the mount assembly further includes a base member connected to the elongated support member. 
     
     
         6 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the base member is configured to mount to a wall. 
     
     
         7 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the base member is configured to mount to a ceiling. 
     
     
         8 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the base member is configured to contact a floor. 
     
     
         9 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit further includes a nozzle configured to direct air leaving the fan unit. 
     
     
         10 . The modular air assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fan unit further includes at least one arm connecting the nozzle to the fan housing. 
     
     
         11 . The modular air assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fan unit further includes at least one central opening defined between the nozzle and the fan housing. 
     
     
         12 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit further includes at least one air intake vent defined in the fan housing. 
     
     
         13 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the mount assembly further includes at least one air intake port defined in the support housing, the at least one air intake port being fluidly coupled to the at least one air intake vent. 
     
     
         14 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support housing defines a cavity, and   at least a portion of the fan housing is removably received in the cavity.   
     
     
         15 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support housing removably receives the fan housing in a linear insertion direction. 
     
     
         16 . The modular fan assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the linear insertion direction is parallel to a rotation axis of the impeller. 
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling a modular fan assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a fan unit including:
 a fan housing; 
 an impeller disposed within the fan housing; 
 a motor coupled to the impeller to drive the impeller; and 
 fan electrical contacts being disposed on the fan housing; 
   providing a first mount assembly including:
 a first support housing being removably connectable to at least a portion of the fan housing; and 
 first mount electrical contacts positioned to electrically couple to the fan electrical contacts; 
   providing a second mount assembly including:
 a second support housing being removably connectable to at least a portion of the fan housing; and 
 second mount electrical contacts positioned to electrically couple to the fan electrical contacts; and 
   selectively coupling the fan unit to the first mount assembly or the second mount assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein selectively coupling the fan unit to the first mount assembly or the second mount assembly includes:
 physically coupling the fan housing to the first support housing or the second mount assembly, and   
       electrically coupling the fan electrical contacts to the first mount electrical contacts or the second mount electrical contacts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein selectively coupling the fan unit to the first mount assembly or the second mount assembly is accomplished without the use of a tool. 
     
     
         20 . A modular fan system comprising:
 a fan unit including:
 a fan housing; 
 an impeller disposed within the fan housing; 
 a motor coupled to the impeller to drive the impeller; and 
 fan electrical contacts electrically coupled to the motor; 
   a first mount assembly removably connectable to the fan unit, the first mount assembly including:
 a first support housing to removably receive at least a portion of the fan housing, the first support housing adjustable relative to at least a portion of the first mount assembly; and 
 first mount electrical contacts positioned to electrically couple to the fan electrical contacts upon connecting the first mount assembly to the fan unit; and 
   a second mount assembly removably connectable to the fan unit, the second mount assembly including:
 a second support housing to removably receive at least a portion of the fan housing, the second support housing adjustable relative to at least a portion of the second mount assembly; and 
 second mount electrical contacts positioned to electrically couple to the fan electrical contacts upon connecting the second mount assembly to the fan unit.