Fan blades are designed to facilitate the movement of air in confined spaces and extreme temperature environments and can be used for both heating and cooling purposes. The blades are tilted to maximise airflow in any direction depending on the pitch of the blades and can often provide a reversible flow.
Fan blades, also known as impeller blades, are blades that are integral to an impeller (a rotor used to increase the pressure and flow of a fluid). An impeller is a rotating component of a centrifugal (uncentered) pump that works by transferring energy from the fan motor to the fluid that is being pumped by the accelerating blades. Impellers are usually short cylinders with an open inlet (called an eye) to accept incoming fluid.
Uses for fan blades
- Medical devices - Fan blades are used in ventricle assist devices (devices used for assisting cardiac circulation) that augment or fully replace cardiac function.
- Air pumps - These use fan blades to help move air through a system, for example within blast furnaces, ventilation systems, and superchargers for internal combustion engines.
- Axial fans - Primarily used for cooling of machinery and electronic equipment such as condensers and industrial blowers.
- Ceiling fans - Ceiling fans can help to cool down a room. A range of blades can be used as replacement ceiling fan blades.
Features of fan blades
Fan blades are typically made out of cast stainless steel but can be found in a range of materials such as metal alloys, aluminium and plastic. In many cases, the blades have five propellers which allow them to have maximum rotation effect to transfer energy efficiently.