Air Amplifiers

Air Amplifiers

Air Amplifiers
Vent, exhaust, cool, dry,
clean with no moving
parts!

Air Amplifiers
What Are Air Amplifiers?
A simple, low cost way to move air, smoke, fumes, and light materials.
Air Amplifiers utilize the coanda effect, a basic principle of fluidics, to
create air motion in their surroundings.
They use a small amount of compressed air to pull in large volumes of
surrounding air that produce high volume, high velocity outlet flows.
Quiet, efficient Air Amplifiers create output flows up to
25 times their consumption rate.

Air Amplifiers
Why Air Amplifiers?
Air Amplifiers have no moving parts, assuring maintenance-free
operation.
No electricity is required.
Flow, vacuum and velocity are easy to control.
Outlet flows are easily increased by opening the air gap.
Supply air pressure can be regulated to decrease outlet flow.
Both the vacuum and discharge ends of the Air Amplifier can be
ducted, making them ideal for drawing fresh air from another
location, or moving smoke and fumes away.

Air Amplifier - Applications

Applications
Vent welding smoke
Cool hot parts
Dry wet parts
Clean machined parts
Distribute heat in molds/ovens
Ventilate confined areas
Dust collection
Exhaust tank fumes

Air Amplifier - Applications

A Model 120024 4" (102mm)

Super Air Amplifier exhausts
smoke from a welding
operation.

A series of Adjustable Air

Amplifiers dry and cool a large
machined casting as it exits a
high temperature wash.

Air Amplifier - Applications

A Model 120024 4" (102mm)

Super Air Amplifier cools an
engine during dynamometer
testing.

Adjustable Air Amplifiers are

ducted to draw clean air for
drying.

Air Amplifiers
Advantages
Compared to Fans:
Compact, lightweight, portable
No electricity
No moving parts no maintenance
Ends are easily ducted
Instant on/off
Variable force and flow
No RF interference

Air Amplifiers
Advantages
Compared to Venturis and Ejectors:
More air with lower compressed air consumption
Higher flow amplification
No internal obstructions
Meets OSHA pressure and noise requirements
Quiet

Air Amplifiers
How Air Amplifiers Work?

Compressed air flows through

the air inlet (1) into an
annular chamber (2)
It is then throttled through a
small ring nozzle (3) at high
velocity
This primary airstream
adheres to the coanda profile
(4), which directs it toward
the outlet
A low pressure area is created
at the center (5), inducing a
high volume flow of
surrounding air into the
primary airstream
The combined flow of primary
and surrounding air exhausts
from the Air Amplifier in a
high volume, high velocity
flow

1
2

4
3

Air Amplifiers
What is Coanda Effect ?
The Coand effect is the tendency of a fluid
jet to be attracted to a nearby surface. The
principle was named after Romanian
aerodynamics pioneer Henri Coand, who
was the first to recognize the practical
application of the phenomenon in aircraft
development.
The Coand effect is a result of entrainment
of ambient fluid around the fluid jet. When a
nearby wall does not allow the surrounding
fluid to be pulled inwards towards the jet (i.e.
to be entrained), the jet moves towards the
wall instead. The fluid of the jet and the
surrounding fluid should be essentially the
same substance (a gas jet into a body of gas
or a liquid jet into a body of liquid). In one
application, a jet of air is blown over the
upper surface of an airfoil, which can have a
strong influence on the overall lift, especially
at high angles of attack when the flow would
otherwise separate (stall)
The lateral pressure which urges the flame of
a candle towards the stream of air from a
blowpipe is probably exactly similar to that
pressure which eases the inflexion of a
current of air near an obstacle. Mark the
dimple which a slender stream of air makes
on the surface of water. Bring a convex body
into contact with the side of the stream and
the place of the dimple will immediately show
the current is deflected towards the body;
and if the body be at liberty to move in every
direction it will be urged towards the current.

A hundred years later, Henri Coand identified an application of

the effect during experiments with his Coand-1910 aircraft which
mounted an unusual engine designed by Coand. The motordriven turbine pushed hot air rearward, and Coanda noticed that
the airflow was attracted to nearby surfaces. He discussed this
matter with leading aerodynamicist Theodore von Krmn who
named it the Coand effect. In 1934 Coand obtained a patent in
France for a "Method and apparatus for deviation of a fluid into
another fluid". The effect was described as the "Deviation of a
plain jet of a fluid that penetrates another fluid in the vicinity of a
convex wall."

Air Amplifiers
Aronautics Coanda Effect
Since all interactions of a solid body with a fluid, be it bird, fish, aeroplane or ship, involve the flow of fluid over a solid
boundary, it can be said that Fluid Dynamics IS the Science of the Coanda Effect.
The Coanda Effect has come to mean attachment of a flow to a surface beyond where we "expect" it to remain
attached - but this is a scientifically meaningless view.
The classic example is that of fluid pouring out of a bottle or teapot. If the fluid does not pour straight out but flows
around the lip, reversing direction before finally succumbing to gravity and detaching, this effect of "sticking to the
surface" has come to be called the "Coanda Effect".
A more interesting example that anyone can perform for themselves is to allow a fine continuous stream of water to
issue from the kitchen tap. Bring the rounded pad of your first finger towards the stream until it just touches. With
the finger barely touching the flow, the stream of water will be diverted around the finger and spray out horizontally
with some force. The horizontal distance the water is projected is remarkable.
The best introductory article available on the subject is still "Applications of the Coanda Effect" by Imants Reba, which
appeared in the June 1966 edition of Scientific American.
This diagram shows a Coanda Thruster tested by Reba. Air is ejected from a plenum at the front of the body. A small
step is inset into the surface of the body which causes the ejected air jet to attach to the surface and flow around it
towards the upper surface. A sheet of attached air called a Coanda Jet flows towards the back of the thruster.
In so doing, it entrains by suction up to 20 times as much air from the surrounding atmosphere as is in the jet itself. A
shroud placed around the body increases the suction on the surrounding air even more.
Air pressure on the front of the thruster is therefore reduced by the entrainment suction so the body moves forward.
In addition, the afterbody made of flat angled segments causes the attached Coanda jet or sheet to exert a positive
pressure on the rear of the thruster and so further increase thrust.
We therefore have exactly the opposite situation to a normal airfoil moving through air: instead of positive air
pressure on the front and negative pressure on the rear, creating drag, we have Negative Drag - i.e. Thrust.
This shows a model levitating device (hovercraft) tested by Reba. The body of the device is made of short flat
surfaces, creating a so called Coanda Surface; high pressure air ejected from an annular slot on the top of the device
flows around and down to wards the bottom, entraining the surrounding air as it does so and creating a partial vacuum
on the upper surface - a lower pressure region. Lift is therefore produced. As with the thruster above, ambient air
pressure is increased below the device to increase lift.

Air Amplifiers
Aronautics Coanda Effect
Hydrofoil and Submarine Propulsion
Reba tested a model hydrofoil using a shrouded Coanda thruster. The entrainment of the surrounding water to
produce thrust results in very little wake or noise. Reba felt that a hydrofoil so equipped could reach speeds of 80
knots. At about the same time in 1962, Stine at the Huyck Corporation worked with Henri Coanda to build a similar
device using ejected steam for submarine propulsion.
This concept has recently been re-invented by Australian Alan Burns and developed by Pursuit Dynamics in the UK. A
20 cm long "underwater jet engine" that injects steam from an annular slot into an internal Coanda nozzle is said to
produce 30 HP output. (See New Scientist, 1/3/03, P19).
Allied Signal patented an internal Coanda nozzle using similar principles in the late 90s. One application is to eliminate
the back pressure from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, but to instead suck the combustion products
out and so improve efficiency.
Circulation Control Wing
Circulation Control Wing technology is one of the most important potential applications of the Coanda Effect.
The objective is to replace the lift devices on the leading and trailing edges of a wing by use of Coanda Surfaces and
slot blowing instead.
The diagram above is from AIAA 93-0644.
The first known use of this "blown flaps" concept was on the prototype Boeing 707. Boundary Layer blowing was
successfully used on the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer to improve STOL performance for aircraft carrier operations. The
supersonic TSR2 also incorporated blown flaps, allowing the 90,000lb delta winged aircraft with a wingspan of only 37
feet to achieve an approach speed of 130 knots: the Concorde type droop nose was also eliminated since a much
flatter non alpha lift approach could be made.
In the late 1970s, Robert Englar tested a modified Grumman A6 Intruder fitted with a prototype CCW system. The
aircraft was able to fly at less than 60 knots and take off or land in less than 600 feet without catapult or arrestor
assistance.
Studies showed that a Boeing 737-100 weighing 105,000 lbs fitted with CCW and no headwind would take 3000 feet to
clear a 50ft obstacle on take off (Sea Level, ISA); the normal distance is 5000 feet. Landing roll with no headwind
would be 750 feet, compared to 2000 feet for the conventional configuration. A lightly loaded 737 (65,000 lbs) with a
20 knot headwind would land in 300 feet with CCW lift devices.

Air Amplifiers
Aronautics Coanda Effect
CCW allows lift to be produced at Zero Degrees Angle of Attack. Coefficient of Lift (CL) of 8 at alpha = 0 was achieved
in tests.
CCW has been criticised for requiring extra APU or engine capacity to supply the bleed air to drive the slot blowing,
According to Englar, a pressure differential of 13.8 psi at Sea Level ISA is sufficient to produce a Coanda Jet velocity
equal to the speed of sound. Normal airfoils achieve a CP of between -1.0 and -2.0; the most efficient airfoil possible,
the cylinder, has a CP of -3.0. CCW equipped wings have achieved CP of between -50 and -60, i.e. the suction on the
upper wing surface is 50 times the freestream dynamic pressure.
Cross feed can be used between the plena in each wing to maintain flap blowing in case of an engine failure.
Engine and APU manufacturers are studying a next generation of APUs that would supply all the bleed air for
pneumatic systems, leaving the engines dedicated for thrust alone. APU reliability will have to improve greatly before
this is achievable.

Super Air Amplifiers

Super Air Amplifiers

These jets of air create a constant, high

velocity outlet flow across the entire cross
sectional area
Additional free air is pulled through the unit,
resulting in higher amplification ratios
The balanced outlet airflow minimizes wind
shear to produce sound levels that are
typically three times quieter than other air
movers
They have the highest amplification ratios and
are the most efficient
The patented design uses a special shim to
maintain critical position of the component
parts
As a result, a precise amount of compressed
air is released at exact intervals toward the
center of the Super Air Amplifier

Super Air Amplifiers

Super Air Amplifier Performance at 80 PSIG (5.5 BAR)

Air
Consumption

Amplification

Air Volume
at Outlet

Air Volume at
6 (152mm)

Sound
Level

MODEL

SCFM

SLPM

RATIO

SCF
M

120020

6.1

173

12

76

2066

219

6198

69

120021

8.1

229

18

146

4132

436

12,339

72

120022

15.5

439

22

341

9650

1023

28,951

72

120024

29.2

826

25

730

20,659

2190

61,977

73

120028

120

3396

25

3000

84,900

9000

254,700

88

SLPM

SCFM

SLPM

dBA

Super Air Amplifiers

Super Air Amplifier Output Flow

Super Air Amplifiers

Super Air Amplifier Dimensions

Super Air Amplifier Dimensions

MODEL #
in
120020
mm

A
0.45

B
0.75

C
0.98

D
1.77

E
2.28

F
0.20

G
0.18

H
0.53

J
0.73

K
2.5

L
0.59

11

19

25

45

58

13

19

64

15

in
mm
in
120022
mm
in
120024
mm
in
120028
mm

0.84
21
1.64
42
3.02
77
6.2
157

0.94
24
1.69
43
2.81
71
4.5
114

1.5
38
2.95
75
4.91
125
9.0
229

2.4
61
3.58
91
6.89
175
-----

3.03
77
4.14
105
8.42
214
11.25
286

0.27
7
0.27
7
0.55
14
-----

0.21
5
0.25
6
0.55
14
-----

0.75
19
0.75
19
1.75
44
2.44
62

1.22
31
2.0
51
3.97
101
8.0
203

2.88
73
3.0
76
4.75
121
8.94
227

0.59
15
0.62
16
0.94
24
1.79
45

120021

M
1/8
NPT
1/4
NPT
3/8
NPT
1/2
NPT
3/4
NPT

Super Air Amplifiers

Adjustable Air Amplifiers

Adjustable Air Amplifiers have good

amplification ratios and are very easy to use
The air gap is infinitely adjustable which
regulates the consumption and outlet flow
from a "breeze" to a "blast
They are available in aluminum or in stainless
steel for food service, higher temperatures
(400F/204C), and corrosive applications.
High Temperature Stainless Steel Air
Amplifiers for temperatures up to 700F
(374C) are available.
Force and flow for the Adjustable Air Amplifier
is changed by turning the exhaust end (with
the knurled ring loose) to open or close the
continuous air gap
When desired performance is obtained, the
knurled ring can be tightened to lock the flow
at that setting
In most cases, a .002" to .004" (.05mm to
.10mm) air gap is ideal

Adjustable Air Amplifiers

Adjustable Air Amplifier Performance at 80 PSIG (5.5 BAR)

Air
Consumption

Amplification

Air Volume
at Outlet

Air Volume at
6 (152mm)

Sound
Level

MODEL

SCF
M

SLPM

RATIO

SCFM

SLPM

SCFM

SLPM

dBA

6030, 6040

8.9

252

10

89

2,430

267

7,556

78

6031, 6042

12.9

365

16

206

5,635

618

17,489

81

6032, 6042

21.5

608

20

430

11,739

1,290

36,507

82

6033,6043

35.2

997

22

774

21,928

2,323

65,784

83

6034, 6044

50

1,415

24

1,200

33,960

3,600

101,880

84

Adjustable Air Amplifiers

Adjustable Air Amplifier Performance Output Flow

Air Amplifiers
Air Amplifier Model Selection Guide

Air Amplifier Comparison

Efficiency

Sound
Level

Mounting
Flange

Flow
Adjustment

Temp.
Rating

Corrosive
Applications

Super Air
Amplifier

High

Low

Yes

With Shims

275F
(135C)

No

Aluminum
Adjustable Air
Amplifier

Medium

Variable

No

Infinite
(No Shims)

275F
(135C)

No

Stainless Steel
Adjustable Air
Amplifier

Medium

Variable

No

Infinite
(No Shims)

400F
(204C)

Yes

High Temperature
Air Amplifier

High

Low

No

With Shims

700F
(374C)

Yes

Air Amplifiers
Special Air Amplifiers
EXAIR manufactures special Air
Amplifiers suited to specific
application requirements
This special Air Amplifier with
grooved intake mounts to the
suction tube of a dust collector
(held in place with set screws)
The exhaust is easily ducted into
the existing dust collection
system or can be directed into a
filter bag

Air Amplifiers
Special Air Amplifiers
The Model 121021 High
Temperature Air Amplifier was
developed for moving hot air to
surfaces in a furnace or oven that
typically remain cool

Air Amplifiers
Special Air Amplifiers
This stainless steel version for
flange mounting was developed
as a fan back-up for exhausting
flue gases from a furnace
In the event of a power failure,
this special Air Amplifier can
quickly evacuate the fumes that
could be harmful to workers
close by

Copyright 2007 EXAIR Corporation.

All Rights reserved.