Recently, we were invited to see Sir James Dyson’s newest technology in the Pomegranate Gallery. Perhaps the name sounds familiar, and rightly so. The company continually makes innovative products that remain at the top of their market, such as their Dual Cyclone which became the fastest selling vacuum cleaner ever to be made in the UK, or their washing machine with two rotating drums which move in opposite directions, or even their hand dryer which produces an air stream flowing at 400 mph. With a background in industrial design, Dyson’s work combines modern engineering with an aesthetic undertone, all in an effort to achieve energy efficiency. Their creativity comes to life within their Malmesbury headquarters, a long span structure topped with an undulating roof designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects.
Just in time for the sweltering summer months, Dyson’s Air Multiplier Technology, specifically their AM02 tower and AM03 pedestal fans, provides an uninterrupted breeze of cool air in larger spaces. And, the fans turn out an amazing airflow – the AM02 draws in nearly nine gallons of air per second and amplifies the air 16 times, whereas the AM03 takes in nearly nine gallons of air per second, amplifying the air 18 times. Add that to the fans’ sleek design and you’ve got yet another example of how the company seeks to challenge and improve existing technologies.
The technology works as follows: Due to their blade-less technology, the surrounding air is amplified to provide a constant stream of air, unlike conventional fan blades that chop and buffet the air. These new blade-less fans draw air in at the base through a mixed flow impeller – a combination of the technologies used in turbochargers and jet engines – and force it into the loop amplifier. The air is accelerated and when it exits the loop amplifies, the jet pulls air from behind the fan into the airflow (inducement) while also forcing the air from the front and sides of the machine into the air stream (entrainment).
We love the fans as they exhibit a unqiue cooperation between engineering and design, and we encourage you to check out more of their products.
