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Cross flow fans, also called squirrel cage fans or tangential fans, are long, cylindrical fan units that can move large volumes of air to aid in ventilation and circulation. From the side, the impellers in cross flow fans look like hamster wheels, while the front looks like blades used in manual lawnmowers.
Their cylindrical design helps circulate large volumes of air without significantly increasing the air pressure or temperature or generating static pressure. The fan moves air in and out by pulling air into the middle of the unit and then expelling it radially along the length. This is different from more conventional axial fans. Common applications for cross flow fans include moving heated air in furnaces and convection ovens.
How Cross Flow Fans Work
Cross flow fans have an impeller housed in a cylindrical or scroll-shaped enclosure, allowing for highly efficient circulation. Air is drawn in and back out with minimal changes in temperature or pressure, and the long cylinder means a large volume of air can be circulated efficiently.
The fan wheel rotates within the cylinder and moves the blades, which have deep curves that "scoop" up air and push it around the fan. Depending on the setting, the blades can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
There are four main components in cross flow fans: the impeller, the housing, the motor, and a collection of bearings. Here’s how these components work together to create steady air movement:
Impeller
Squirrel cage blower fans can circulate air so effectively because of the unique shape the impeller has. The long blades can more effectively pull in, collect, and push out air in a radial motion.
Housing
The impeller sits within a long, rectangular housing that lets air in and out of the unit. This creates a specific path for the airflow, creating an efficient, easy-to-control air current.
Motor
The motor powers the movement of the impeller, rotating it in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Different cross flow fans use different motors depending on an application's power requirements.
A single-phase motor can turn relatively small cross flow fans at low-to-medium speeds. A three-phase motor, on the other hand, can generate much more force to drive highly efficient operations in industrial settings.
Bearings
Bearings are hardware components that reduce the amount of friction between two adjacent surfaces to allow for smoother motion without extensive wear and tear. Cross flow fans have bearings that help the impeller continually and efficiently rotate.
Benefits and Considerations for Cross Flow Fans
Choosing cross flow fans for specific commercial and industrial applications, such as convection heating, can make your operations much more efficient and reliable. Some of the benefits of cross flow fans are:
- Efficiency: The design of cross flow fans facilitates the efficient movement of the fan blades and, in turn, the air and requires less electricity to operate.
- Low Noise Levels: These fans are quieter than comparable fans, making them a better choice for busy work environments.
- Small Footprint: Cross flow fans feature a compact design for easy setup and use in confined spaces.
Choosing the right type of fan for your environment or application will help you see the most benefit in daily use. Cross flow fans will work best within low- or medium-level air pressure ranges, while other designs may be better for high-pressure environments or applications where fans need to significantly change the air pressure. Fans can also overheat without proper ventilation, maintenance, and environmental considerations.
For high-powered applications that require a fan operating continuously, consider a three-phase motor. A single-phase fan motor may be preferable for more intermittent use in smaller environments or consumer applications.
Contact Pelonis Technologies for Cross Flow Fans
At Pelonis Technologies, we specialize in developing high-quality hardware for clients across all major industries. For over 25 years, our team of project managers and engineers have created innovative solutions for air movement, cooling, and heating.
Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities and array of cross flow fans, or request a quote to see our competitive pricing options.
