Definitions and classification
In the early years of fans the design and manufacturing engineers were too busy making the things work to worry overmuch about definitions and classification. Once they had become established, however, these topics proved irresistible to academics and administrators. They have occupied their minds ever since.
It was not until 1972 that Eurovent produced its document 1/1 which gave agreed terms and definitions for fans and theircom- ponents. This document was subsequently adopted by ISO and became ISO 13348. The content of this is described in more detail in this Chapter and in Chapters 9 and 11.
It should be apparent that classification can sometimes prove restrictive. Again the analogy with automobiles will indicate likely difficulties — estate cars had to become “people carriers" MPVs and stationwagons to sufficiently describe what was available.
Even the definition of what exactly is a fan has proved difficult for the industry to accept. The differences between it and a compressor are still the subject of much argument.
Posted in Fans Ventilation A Practical Guide