When people ask “what are the fan things called?”, they are usually thinking about the different parts that make up a fan or the components around it in a ventilation system. Knowing the correct names helps when you read specifications, order spare parts or talk with engineers about industrial or mining fans.
The most visible parts are the blades, often called fan blades or impeller blades. In an axial fan, these blades look like a propeller; in a centrifugal fan, they are arranged around a wheel or disc inside a housing. The entire rotating assembly of blades is called the impeller or rotor. The centre of the impeller, where the blades are fixed, is the hub. The hub is mounted on the shaft, which connects to the motor either directly or through belts.
The part that actually turns the fan is the motor. In small fans this may be a compact single-phase motor, while in industrial and mining fans it is usually a three-phase induction motor or a more advanced drive. The motor is often treated as a separate component with its own frame, bearings and cooling system. Together, the motor, shaft and impeller form the rotating machinery of the fan.
Around these rotating parts is the housing or casing. For axial fans, the housing is typically a cylindrical tube or a short section of duct, sometimes called the fan drum. For centrifugal fans, the housing is a scroll-shaped volute that guides air from the impeller to the outlet. At the inlet, you may find an inlet cone or bellmouth that shapes the airflow and reduces losses. At the outlet, a discharge flange connects the fan to ducting.
Because rotating blades are dangerous, fans usually have guards or grilles over the inlet and outlet to prevent accidental contact and keep large objects out. In ducted systems, the fan is connected to ducts, diffusers, louvers, hoods and registers that control how air is distributed through the building, plant or mine. On the mounting side, fans may sit on bases, frames or pedestals and can include vibration isolators to reduce transmitted noise.
In industrial and mining terminology, you will also hear about bearings, couplings, drive belts and pulleys, silencers, dampers and access doors as part of the overall fan and duct system. Each of these “fan things” has a specific function, from supporting the shaft to adjusting airflow or reducing noise.
In summary, the main fan parts are blades (impeller), hub, shaft, motor, housing or casing, inlet cone, guards and the associated ducts and fittings. Using these names makes it easier to specify, maintain and troubleshoot ventilation equipment in any industrial or mining application.
