Dyson's Air Multiplier is the overpriced bladeless fan you never asked for
By Paul Miller 
posted October 12th 2009 7:01PM
posted October 12th 2009 7:01PM
SAY GOODBYE TO THE BLADE
James Dyson introduces the bladeless fan. No blades. No buffeting.
James Dyson, who for the past 30 years has continuously revolutionized the vacuum cleaner his attention to addressing the everyday fan. As a result, he has designed the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan, which has no blades, but instead uses a unique technology to multiply air 15 industry through unprecedented advancements in airflow engineering, has turned times, expelling 119 gallons of smooth and uninterrupted air every second.
Until today, conventional electric fans have gone largely unchanged. The fundamental problem has remained the same for more than 125 years; the blades chop the air creating an uneven airflow and unpleasant buffeting.
Dyson's fluid dynamics engineers spent four years running hundreds of simulations to precisely measure and optimize the machine's aperture and airfoil-shaped ramp before perfecting Dyson's Air Multiplier technology. Air fluctuations were mapped with Laser Doppler Anemometry, helping measure control the machine's airflow.
"We realised that this inducement, or amplification, effect could be further enhanced by passing airflow over a ramp," says Dyson. "And of course this was the point where the idea of a bladeless fan became a real possibility. Here was a way to create turbulent-free air and finally do away with blades."
How it works: inducement and entrainment
Air is drawn into the base of the machine. The air is forced up into the loop amplifier and accelerated through the 1.3mm annular aperture, creating a jet of air that hugs the airfoil- shaped ramp. While exiting the loop amplifier, the jet pulls air from behind the fan into the airflow (inducement). At the same time, the surrounding air from the front and sides of the machine are forced into the air stream (entrainment), amplifying it 15 times. The result is a constant uninterrupted flow of cooling air.
The Dyson Air MultiplierTMfan is powered by an energy efficient brushless motor and air speed can be precisely adjusted with a dimmer switch. Conventional fans are wired to run at just two or three settings.
No blades mean no need for a grille and it's safe and simple to clean.
And because its motor is at its base, the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan can be tilted with a touch, unlike a conventional top-heavy fan, which needs to be positioned with two hands and can topple easily.
The Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan is available in two 10-inch models: blue & iron and silver & white with an MSRP of $299.99. A 12-inch model is available in silver & iron with an MSRP of $329.99. All three machines are available at The Conran Shop (NY), Luminaire (Chicago/Miami) and Twentieth (LA). To learn more about the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan visit www.dyson.com.
James Dyson introduces the bladeless fan. No blades. No buffeting.
James Dyson, who for the past 30 years has continuously revolutionized the vacuum cleaner his attention to addressing the everyday fan. As a result, he has designed the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan, which has no blades, but instead uses a unique technology to multiply air 15 industry through unprecedented advancements in airflow engineering, has turned times, expelling 119 gallons of smooth and uninterrupted air every second.
Until today, conventional electric fans have gone largely unchanged. The fundamental problem has remained the same for more than 125 years; the blades chop the air creating an uneven airflow and unpleasant buffeting.
Dyson's fluid dynamics engineers spent four years running hundreds of simulations to precisely measure and optimize the machine's aperture and airfoil-shaped ramp before perfecting Dyson's Air Multiplier technology. Air fluctuations were mapped with Laser Doppler Anemometry, helping measure control the machine's airflow.
"We realised that this inducement, or amplification, effect could be further enhanced by passing airflow over a ramp," says Dyson. "And of course this was the point where the idea of a bladeless fan became a real possibility. Here was a way to create turbulent-free air and finally do away with blades."
How it works: inducement and entrainment
Air is drawn into the base of the machine. The air is forced up into the loop amplifier and accelerated through the 1.3mm annular aperture, creating a jet of air that hugs the airfoil- shaped ramp. While exiting the loop amplifier, the jet pulls air from behind the fan into the airflow (inducement). At the same time, the surrounding air from the front and sides of the machine are forced into the air stream (entrainment), amplifying it 15 times. The result is a constant uninterrupted flow of cooling air.
The Dyson Air MultiplierTMfan is powered by an energy efficient brushless motor and air speed can be precisely adjusted with a dimmer switch. Conventional fans are wired to run at just two or three settings.
No blades mean no need for a grille and it's safe and simple to clean.
And because its motor is at its base, the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan can be tilted with a touch, unlike a conventional top-heavy fan, which needs to be positioned with two hands and can topple easily.
The Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan is available in two 10-inch models: blue & iron and silver & white with an MSRP of $299.99. A 12-inch model is available in silver & iron with an MSRP of $329.99. All three machines are available at The Conran Shop (NY), Luminaire (Chicago/Miami) and Twentieth (LA). To learn more about the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan visit www.dyson.com.
'neither of them offer nearly as much wind as a regular fan this size'
Erm, according to the press release this thing pumps out 119 gallons of air every second. 119 gallons = 450 litres = 16 cubic feet per second = 900 CFM... Which is a sh*tload of air??? Enough to cool an entire 2,500 ft2 house if you had one ducted... Seems like overkill for a deskfan.
Unless you plan on launching ping pong balls, now that would be something!
It looks like other fan manufacturers are noticing the Dyson too... although it may not be all that good for Dyson in terms of performance. I saw this link describing how much more air a $90 product made by Vornado moves - and it's considerable. My favorite part- check the amount each person's hair blows on the two videos on the top... whether it's "Smooth air" or not, if air is moving- it is going to be visible... I've never felt the Dyson's air current- but the Vornado visibly outperforms it in these vids.
I must admit- I am a "fan" of Vornado products because they do move air so well... so I guess it doesn't surprise me that the Dyson doesn't stack up on performance. It is very stylish though!
Hmm- maybe posting the link I was referring to would help?? http://www.vornado.com/Default.aspx?ISC_PageName=Performance&ISC_Left=false
CitizenK said: "...so I guess it doesn't surprise me that the Dyson doesn't stack up on performance"
CitizenK, obviously you measure "performance" only by quantity.
Haven't you been sick and tired of ordinary fans that hit your face with annoying turbulent air waves?
How about a relaxing fan (and fun) experience? That's what I prefer!
On quantity, Dyson might be less powerful than a Vornado but who cares? (who wants a ...tornado at his place? It is also less powerful than a Cessna's propeller engine, so it is guaranteed that it won't take off! )
On quality though (air stream quality), simply no other fan compares to this one! None!
Bottom line, if you are so desperate about cooling so that you turn your Vornado (or whatever) fan to maximum, chances are you definitely need an air-conditioner! But if you have one and need some stylish help with a totally smooth, discrete stream of air, get a Dyson!
Hey, I'm already a fan of this fan!
Dyson, hire me! (joking)
I prefer my trusty old fan with rotating blue blades.
Good idea. But it's wrong to say it's a 'bladeless' fan, because this one actually has blades - just that that they're hidden. It is an air blower. It also costs way too much for 300 bucks.