Ceiling fan with germicidal capabilities

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12012967-B2
Application number	US-202117231683-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2021
Priority date	Jun 16, 2020
Publication date	Jun 18, 2024
Grant date	Jun 18, 2024

Abstract

A fan for generating germicidal light is disclosed, which may be adapted to mount to a ceiling. The fan includes a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades. A motor is adapted to rotate the hub. A support is adapted to support the hub and motor from the ceiling. A lighting module may include a tray adapted to receive the support, the tray including one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light. The light may be provided by LEDs on a circuit board adapted for positioning around the support without dismounting the support from the ceiling, such as one comprised of wedge-shaped segments. The modular circuit board may form part of an uplight module supported by a housing for the motor.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fan adapted to be mounted to a ceiling by a support, comprising:
a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades;
a motor adapted to rotate the hub;
one or more lights connected to the fan for providing ultraviolet germicidal light; and
a controller for controlling an on/off condition of the one or more lights based on an indication that a fan speed is above a pre-determined amount;
an annular tray including a raised outer rim surrounding a recessed surface for supporting the one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light and a raised inner rim adjacent to an opening in the annular tray for receiving the support.

2. The fan according to claim 1 , further including a circuit for generating a signal indicative of a need to service the one or more lights based on a time of operation of the motor.

3. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more lights are provided on a circuit board positioned on the recessed surface of the annular tray.

4. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board comprises an annular structure including a plurality of interconnected segments, each of the plurality of segments including at least one light emitting diode for generating ultraviolet germicidal light.

5. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board is flexible.

6. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board is C-shaped.

7. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board comprises at least two semi-annular portions connected by a connector.

8. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board includes one or more lights adapted for generating non-ultraviolet light.

9. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board is adapted to be positioned substantially around the support without dismounting the support from the ceiling.

10. The fan according to claim 3 , wherein the circuit board comprises a plurality of semi-annular segments adapted to connect together to form an annular structure surrounding the support.

11. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the recessed surface extends at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.

12. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the annular tray includes a plurality of fins for promoting heat exchange.

13. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the annular tray includes a stanchion adapted to engage the support, and further including a fastener for fastening the stanchion to the support.

14. The fan according to claim 1 , wherein the indication that the fan speed is above the pre-determined amount is provided by a light control board for monitoring a speed reference signal.

15. A fan adapted to be mounted to a ceiling, comprising:
a support for mounting the fan to the ceiling;
a hub connected to a plurality of fan blades;
a motor adapted to rotate the hub;
one or more lights connected to the fan for providing ultraviolet germicidal light; and
a controller for controlling an on/off condition of the one or more lights based on fan speed;
an annular tray including a raised outer rim surrounding a recessed surface for supporting the one or more lights for providing ultraviolet germicidal light and a raised inner rim adjacent to an opening in the annular tray for receiving the support.

16. The fan according to claim 15 , wherein the controller controls activation of the one or more lights based on an indication that a fan speed is above a pre-determined threshold.

17. The fan according to claim 15 , further including a circuit for generating a signal indicative of a need to service the one or more lights based on a time of operation of the motor.

18. The fan according to claim 15 , wherein the one or more lights are connected to a circuit board adapted to be positioned substantially around the support without dismounting the support from the ceiling.

19. The fan according to claim 15 , wherein the one or more lights comprise LEDs automatically turned on when the motor is operational.

20. The fan according to claim 15 , wherein the one or more lights are provided on a circuit board positioned on the recessed surface of the annular tray.

21. The fan according to claim 20 , wherein the circuit board comprises an annular structure including a plurality of interconnected segments, each of the plurality of segments including at least one light emitting diode for generating ultraviolet germicidal light.

22. The fan according to claim 21 , the recessed surface extends at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.

23. The fan according to claim 20 , wherein the circuit board comprises at least two semi-annular portions connected by a connector.

Assignees

• Delta T Llc

Inventors

• Rhoades Lennie
• Evans Eric
• Mckinzie Marc
• Lenser Richard
• Koukis Andrew
• Dalton Daniel

Classifications

• F21V33/0096

  Fans, e.g. ceiling fans (forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67) · CPC title

• A61L9/20

  Ultraviolet radiation · CPC title

• F04D27/004

  by varying driving speed · CPC title

• F04D29/005

  Decorative aspects, i.e. features which have no effect on the functioning of the pump · CPC title

• A61L2209/12

  Lighting means · CPC title