GB2341498A

GB2341498A - A fan having a battery back-up power supply

Info

Publication number: GB2341498A
Application number: GB9817895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fadi Barry Karaki
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-18
Filing date: 1998-08-18
Publication date: 2000-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-18
Also published as: GB2341498B; GB9817895D0

Abstract

The fan and light unit has a battery pack power supply which provides back-up power when the mains supply fails. The battery pack can be recharged via the mains supply and the fan and light unit can include a time-piece. The light source can be illuminated only when the mains power fails.

Description

2341498 OSCILLATING DOMESTIC FANS WITH BACK-UP ER SUPPLY AND EMERGENCY

LIGHT SOURCE

Field of this Invention

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A MEANS TO INCLUDE A BACK-UP POWER SUPPLY TO REPLACE FAILED MAINS POWER AND TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY LIGHTING.

Background to this Invention

There are many places in the world where seasonal temperatures indoors make the need of a ventilating fan essential.

In such places, the mains electricity supply is frequently interrupted by tropical storms and living conditions within domestic dwellings become intolerable. Most homes in such places have free-standing oscillating fans to maintain a flow of air through the living quarters. The mains power supply is often interrupted at night when the storms are more prevalent.

The principal aspect of this invention is to provide a rechargeable battery source of power which would automatically 'cut-in' when the mains power 1 R' - ere would be a pre-set time interval in case the mains power supply was returned quickly.

Very obviously, various size fans are involved and in each case the battery power source must be related to the fan motor capacity.

A second aspect of this invention is to provide a light source, preferably a miniature fluorescent unit which can be powered from the aforementioned battery source.

OSCILLATING DOMESTIC FANS WITH BACK_-UP PQMR SUPPLY AND EMERGENCY LIGHT SOURCE According to the embodiment of this invention, there is provided a transformer and a bridge rectifier to step down the mains voltage from the normal 240 volts alternating current to 12 volts direct current. Instead of using a capactitor to smooth the low voltage direct current, a battery pack is connected across the low voltage supply 'rails' and it will be trickle charged constantly through a resistor connected in parallel with a reverse biased rectifier. Vnifle mains power is available, current to the battery pack can only flow in through the trickle charge resistor. Should the battery pack be fully charged and the mains power fail, the supply rail drops to zero and current flows back on to the supply rails through the forward biased rectifier - thus maintaining operation of the fan.

Included in the hardware is a double pole switch on the fan to cut out both the mains and the battery back-up when the occupant wishes to switch of the fan. This is necessary because if only the mains supply is switched off, the unit will. act as if there has been a power cut and will automatically switch to the battery pack. Variation in fan speed can be arranged by the introduction of a variable transistor current limiter or series resistors.

A specific embodiment of this invention will now be more particularly described by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 - illustrates various fan types.

2 OSCILLATING DOMESTIC FANS WITH BACK-UP POWER SUPPIX AND EMERGENCY LIGHT SOURCE Figure 2 - is a circuit diagram complying with the embodiment of this invention.

According to Figure 1, there is shown a number of typical domestic axial flow fans, each of which has an oscillating mechanism to cause the fan blades to rotate on a central axis over an are of some 60 or more degrees.

Figure 1, View la shows a table-mounted three blade axial-flow oscillating fan 10. It would be anticipated the battery pack and other electrical/electronic components would be built into a casing 11 or enclosure beneath the fan base 12. The emergency light unit could be built into the column 13. No preference is expressed herein for the siting of the battery pack and other components - it is a matter of design convenience. No claim to originality is entered for the design of the fan 10 since such items are already well known in the 'public domain'.

Figure 1, View 1b, shows a pedestal fan 14 with oscillating head 15. This is a standard commercially available unit, but would have provided the back up battery pack and electrical/electronic components already mentioned hereinbefore, built into a casing or enclosure below the base 16 of the said fan or sited on a platform on which the said base 16 would be fixed.

The light source could be built into the column 17 at any convenient position; there is no preference.

3 OSCILLATING DOMESTIC FANS WITH BACK-UP POWER SUPPLY AND EMERGENCY LIGHT SOURCE In many domestic dwellings on the African Continent and further East, there are ceiling propellor fans (View le). The emergency back-up battery pack and electrical/electronic components could be suitably contained to mount at wall-switch level to provide power for such fans in the event of a mains power failure. It will be appreciated thus far that the inventive step incorporated in this invention lies in the method of providing a direct current battery pack which can be trickle charged during periods when the mains power supply is available, but will provide power to operate an oscillating ventilating fan and light source when the mains power is not available. It will be appreciated there will be a time limit for battery power operation of the fan. Additionally, there can be provided at some convenient position on fan 10 or fan 14 an illuminated time piece of conventional design. Reference is now made to Figure 2, which is a circuit diagram complying with the requirements of the embodiment of this invention. R1 would have a value equivalent to U1 -.20 where C is the total capacity of N, CD pack C in ampere-hours D1 which is a germanium rectifier reverse biased against supply voltage. The circuit needs no further description as it will be acceptable to a person skilled in the art.

4

Claims

1. A fixed or oscillating fan with light source including a reserve battery source of power which automatically cut-m when the mains power supply fads, to maintain an uninterrupted supply. A backup low voltage supply connected externally.

2. A reserve battery facility as claimed in claim 1 but preferably within the base of the fan alight where the b is constantly charging whilst the mains supply is available.

3. A reserve battery as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 where the battery whist constantly charging through the mains supply will in the case of mains supply failure instantly switch over from the mains electricity operation to continue operation with no loss of performance.

4. A reserve battery as claimed in claim 3 where a backup low voltage supply is connected extemally to support during long time of the mains supply.

5. A fixed or oscg fan with fight source as claimed in claim (1) where the fight source will preferably be of a miniature fluorescent unit encased within the column 13, ref.. diagram cation figure 1.

6. A reserve battery as claimed in claim 3 charged by a diode resistor as shown in the accompanying circuit diagram.Fig.2 7. An oscillation fan with light source can he provided at any convenient position a small illuminated time-piece of any conventional design- 8. An oscillation fan with light source substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying diagrams. Fig. 1 &2 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS A fixed or oscillating fan with light source including a reservelbackup battery source of power connected externaily which automatically cut-in when the mains power supply fails, to maintain an uninterrupted supply.

2. A reserve battery facility as claimed in claim 1 but preferably within. the base of the fan alight where the battery is constantly charging Whilst the mams supply is available.

3. A reserve battery as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 where the battery whist constantly charging through the mains supply win in the case of mains supply failure instantly switch over from the mains electricity operation to continue operation with no loss of performance.

4. A reserve battery as claimed in claim 3 where a backup low voltage supply is connected externally to support g long time of the mains supply failure.

5. A fixed or oscillating fan with fight source as claimed in claim (1) where the light source will preferably be of a miniature "' fluorescent unit encased within the column 13, ref diagram specification figure 1.

6. A reserve battery as claimed in claim 3 charged by a diode resistor as shown in the accompanying circuit diagram.Fig.2

7. An oscillation fan with light source and reserve/ backup battery can he provided at any convenient position a small illuminated time-piece of any conventional design.

8. An oscillation fan with light source, a reseveibackup battery power substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying diagram Fig. 1 &2 P