GB2383124A

GB2383124A - An air pressure operated ventilator device

Info

Publication number: GB2383124A
Application number: GB0129815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Edward Tomlin
Original assignee: Titon Hardware Ltd
Current assignee: Titon Hardware Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-13
Filing date: 2001-12-13
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-13
Also published as: GB0129815D0; GB2383124B

Abstract

A ventilator 1 comprising an elongated housing 10 and a valve member 30. The valve member consists of a pressure element 32 and a closing element 38. The closing element comprises a flat blade which restricts the airflow. The valve member is disposed within the housing and is constructed with a cross-sectional area which is generally triangular, but with one of its edges being curved. A first straight edge of the "triangle" represents the pressure element and a second straight edge of the "triangle" represents the closing element. An opening 37 is preferably located between the closing element and the pressure element. The valve member is pivotal about an axis 40 and is operated by the airflow pressure. As the air flow velocity increases through an inlet 13, this increases the pressure applied to the pressure element, which then causes the valve member to move about the pivot point 40, which then results in the closing element restricting the outlet 14. Preferably an opening 46 with a cover plate 46' is used for access purposes, for ease of cleaning. Preferably there is a lag of 30 degrees between the pressure and closing elements. The inlet and outlet ports are perpendicular to one another and the pressure element is aligned between 90 and 120 degrees to the inlet port when no air pressure is applied. Preferably the ventilator device is for window or door assemblies.

Description

A VENTILATION DEVICE The present invention relates to a ventilation device, and more particularly but not exclusively to a slot ventilator, such as for ventilating or controlling ventilation through a slot formed through or in the region of a sash or window frame for a window or door, and furthermore to the assembly of components forming a slot ventilator. However, the invention also relates to glazed-in ventilators and ventilators to be located peripherally outside but adjacent a window frame.

Ventilation devices are commonly used in various situations such as when it is desirable to remove the excess moisture that builds up inside a heated or insulated environment and for providing background ventilation generally. Such devices may be required by government regulations and may decrease the risk of condensation and mould growth occurring inside a building. A slot ventilator is a type of ventilation device that is capable of being mounted over a slot in a window or door frame or sash. Slot ventilation may be pressure controlled. A known pressure controlled ventilator uses a flap as a valve member that is actuated as air pressure is applied to it. The air pressure forces the flap across the path of the air flow to restrict its passage from the slot inlet to the outlet. These methods have drawbacks in that the flap must be positioned at an optimum angle between the inlet and outlet apertures such that it is suitably in the pathway of the incoming flow for air pressure to have sufficient force to move it. Once moved, it must also be able to restrict flow sufficiently. These requirements result in a compromise in that is adverse for position or shape of the flap, and thus in inefficient ventilators having restricted air openings and/or requiring a larger than desirable force necessary to move the flap.

An object of the present invention is to alleviate the problems of the prior art in a simple yet effective manner.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a

ventilation device, which includes a valve member situated inside a housing, the valve member having a closing element for restricting airflow and a pressure element for movably operating the closing element in response to air pressure. Accordingly, this provides the freedom to situate the pressure and closing elements where they are most effective without the need for compromise. The closing element is preferably adapted to restrict air flow through a housing outlet, preferably by closing from a direction generally perpendicular to ventilation flow. When the ventilation device is fully open, the closing element may be located such that it does not restrict the passage of air through the ventilator, and the mass flow rate through the device may be increased relative to the prior art. Preferably, the pressure element lies in a first plane and the closing element lies in a plane non-parallel to the pressure element. The pressure element and closing element are preferably connected together. They may be integral with one another. Thus, a movement of one of the elements in one direction may result in a movement of the other in another direction. Preferably, operable parts (for interaction with air flow) of the pressure element and closing element are mutually spaced apart by a slot.

A further aspect of the invention is set out in claim 3. Various preferred features applicable to each aspect will now be discussed.

The valve member may comprise an elongate body extending along the ventilator. The body may have a generally triangular shaped end cross-section with first and second generally straight sides. One side of the body may be curved, such that the end section may comprise a segment of a circle, and at least part of the curved side may comprise the closing element of the valve member. The closing element may occupy up to 50% of the curved side, leaving the remainder of the curved side open and in communication with a housing outlet. The housing outlet is preferably formed in a bottom wall of the housing, such that with the valve member in an open position (and with the device located on a substantially vertical face of a window or door element in order to control ventilation through a slot formed therethrough), air may be

redirected from the slot downward into an area to be ventilated. The first generally straight side of the valve body preferably constitutes the pressure element, whilst the second generally straight side is preferably open and in communication with an inlet of the housing. This preferred construction of the valve member provides for a robust yet simple configuration at no major manufacturing expense. The valve member may be adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the housing, the axis being located inside and near a top of the housing. The valve member is preferably disposed to respond to air pressure applied to the pressure element. A lag of preferably between 20-50 degrees, but more preferably between 25-35 degrees and even more preferably of 30 degrees separates the movement of the closing element after that of the pressure element. The pressure element may be aligned at an angle of between 90 and 120 degrees to the inlet whilst the ventilation device is fully open. This feature gives the device greater efficiency over the prior art since air pressure enters the ventilation device and acts almost perpendicularly to the pressure element. Hence relatively small air pressure is required to create the force necessary to move the valve element. A pivoting of the pressure element away from the inlet preferably results in the movement of the closing element to cover the outlet.

The ventilation device may be self-regulating, preferably between an open configuration thereof and a substantially closed configuration. Hence, no manual input is necessary to control flow through the device. In the open configuration, the open section of the valve member curved wall preferably has a projected area equal to the area of the housing outlet so as to maximise air flow through the device. The housing outlet may be smaller than the inlet so as to produce an acceleration of flow through the ventilation device when fully open, but need not necessarily be so. A section of the top or front wall may be open or covered with a removable cover such as a mesh to enable access to the valve member after installation for cleaning purposes.

The ventilation device may be a slot ventilator. The ventilation device

may be used as part of a window or door assembly, by mounting it over a ventilation slot extending from one side of the assembly to the other. Such a window assembly may have a generally rectangular frame, with the ventilation device being mounted in the region of the frame. The ventilation slot may be formed through the window frame or through a window sash frame.

With ventilation with at least some of the above-mentioned features, closing element positions (and thus air mass flow rate) at particular pressure differentials across the vent with pressure differential rising may be substantially equal to closing element position with pressure differential decreasing. This is an advantage over prior art pressure controlled vents in which closing element behaviour is different with pressure increasing compared to that with pressure decreasing. This advantage may be present, for example, when the closing element comprises a blade adapted to restrict flow substantially perpendicular thereto.

Thus, according to a further aspect, the invention provides a window or door assembly which includes a ventilation device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The assembly may optionally have features as set out in claims 26 to 33.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail by the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred example of a pressure controlled ventilation device according to the invention; Figure 2a is a schematic side elevation of the device of Figure 1 in an open position; Figure 2b is a schematic side elevation of the device of Figure 1 in a partially restricted air flow position; Figure 2c is a schematic side elevation of the device of Figure 1 in a restricted air flow position; and Figures 3A to 3D are sectional views of an example of a window

assembly incorporating the device of Figure 1.

Figures 4A to 4C show side elevations of the valve member, housing and interaction of the two components according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5A and 5B show schematic end-sectional views of a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 6A and 6B show schematic end-sectional views of a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 7A to 7B show schematic end-sectional views of a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 shows schematic end-sectional views of a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The ventilation device 1 comprises an elongate housing 10, and a valve member 30. The device 1 has a ventilation flow path 50. The valve member 30 has two end walls 36 only one of which is shown in Figure 1 for the purposes of clarity.

The housing 10 of this preferred embodiment consists of a back wall 12, inlet 13, outlet 14, top wall 16, bottom wall 18, front wall 20, near side wall 21, far side wall 23 and angled wall 22. The inlet 13, outlet 14 and an open section 46 comprise apertures in the housing as shown in Figure 1, and are shown schematically by dotted lines in Figures 2A to 2C. The bottom wall 18, front wall 20 and back wall 12 comprise three sides of the housing end section, which is substantially rectangular. The end section is preferably wider than it is tall. The fourth side to the end section is comprised of the top wall 16, which extends from the back wall to approximately 50% of the housing width, and the angled wall 22, which slopes downwards from the top wall to the front wall.

The front wall is preferably approximately 50% of the height of the back wall.

Inlet 13 is preferably formed as a cut-out in the back wall and is an elongate rectangular area occupying up to or more than 50% of the back wall,

extending along the length of the valve member 30. The outlet 14 may be cut out of the bottom wall 18 and is also of elongate rectangular area located across approximately the middle third of the housing width and extending along the length of the valve member 30.

The valve member 30 is preferably an elongate structure or body spanning the length of the housing 10, and may have a generally triangular end section. More preferably, the end wall 31 is a segment of a circle, having a first straight side 32, a second straight side 34 and a curved side 36. The first straight side 32 of the valve member may constitute a pressure element which is adapted to move the valve member 30 in response to air pressure thereon.

The second straight side of the valve member 34 may be open and in fluid communication with the inlet 13. Part of the curved side 36 of the valve member may comprise a closing element 38 which is adapted to close partially or fully across the outlet 14. The under side 38'of the closing element preferably comprises a surface having the curvature of the end section curved side 36 whilst the upper surface 39 is preferably substantially flat, tapering to a thin edge at the leading edge of the closing element. The closing element 38 may occupy up to 50% of the curved side 36 of the valve member 30. The remainder of the side constitutes an opening 37 which, when the device is in a fully open position, preferably has a projected area equal to that of the outlet 14. The opening 37 is preferably located between the closing element 38 and the pressure element 32.

The valve member 30 may be connected to the housing 10 via a pin 40 protruding from the outer surface of each end wall 31. The pin 40 may be located at the apex of the end-section and is adapted to engage a recess 41'in the top of the housing 10, preferably in the vicinity of the apex 42 formed by the junction of the top wall 16 and angled wall 22. Thus the valve member is attached to the housing such that it is able to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the housing. The upper surface 45 of the bottom wall 18 may be curved according to the curvature of the curved wall 36, such that there is a clearance

fit between the lower edge of the pressure element 32 and the upper surface 45 of the bottom wall 18, and also between the under side of the closing element 38 with the upper surface 45 of the bottom wall 18. A clearance gap between the valve member elements 32,38 and the bottom wall 18, ensures that the valve member is able to pivot in the housing without causing friction between the valve member 30 and housing 10 components, but so that significant air flow is not permitted between the components. An open section 46 of the top 16 or front wall 20 provides access to the inside of the ventilation device for cleaning purposes. This may be covered by a removable cover 46'such as a fine mesh-see Figure 2A.

In use, the ventilation device I regulates the amount of air permitted to travel along the ventilation path 50. Figures 2a-2c show three stages of ventilation. In Figure 2a the ventilation device 1 is in a fully open position, and is held in this position by gravity in the absence of additional wind velocity.

Air enters the ventilation device 1 through the inlet 13. When wind speeds are low, an insufficient amount of air pressure is applied to the pressure element 32 to cause it to pivot. Thus the pressure element remains unmoved, and the closing element remains situated adjacent to and almost parallel with the outlet 14, such that it does not restrict the passage of air from the inlet 13 to the outlet 14. The ventilation device 1 remains fully open and air follows the ventilation path 50 as depicted by the arrow in Figure 2a. Air is drawn downwards toward the outlet 14 by the contraction of the pathway between the inlet 13 and the outlet 14, and exits the device via the outlet 14. This configuration of the device allows the maximum mass flow rate through the device. As wind velocity increases, the force applied to the pressure element increases, and the pressure element 32 pivots to cause the closing element 38 to restrict the size of the outlet 14, see Figure 2b. In this configuration, the partial closure of the outlet 14 reduces the mass flow rate through the device from its maximum. Figure 2c shows the device in a substantially closed position. Whilst in one preferred embodiment the closing element 38 fully closes the outlet 14, in

another preferred embodiment the device is not able to close fully in accordance with certain Gas and Buildings Regulations. The required degree of closure may be realized by extending or shortening the closing element as desired. At high wind velocity or in sudden gusts of wind, the pressure element is pivoted to the full extent of its travel, which is terminated by contact with a lip (not shown) protruding from the juncture of the bottom wall upper surface and the front wall inner surface. At the position of full travel, the closing element substantially covers the outlet 14, allowing only a minimum flow rate through the outlet 14. A decrease in wind velocity reduces the force applied to the pressure element 32 and the valve member 30 pivots back to its rest position.

Further embodiments according to the invention are shown in Figures 3 to 7. The components of the further embodiments are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment and are referenced by the same numerals with a letter denoting the particular embodiment. Figures 3A to 3D are of a second preferred embodiment in which the housing lOa has a rectangular end crosssection. The valve member 30a is positioned such that air entering the inlet 13a may follow flowpath 50 or alternatively it may flow over the top of the valve member 30a and through opening 46a to exit the ventilation device 1.

This permits air to flow through the device 1 even if the outlet 14a is closed off, to comply with certain building regulations. The front elevations of Figures 3A to 3D illustrate the longitudinal detail of the ventilation device 1.

The housing lOa may be divided into sections along the length of the device 1 for structural stability.

A third preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 4A to 4C has a substantially rectangular end cross-section. The valve member 30b is positioned in the vicinity of the top wall 16b such that air is not permitted to exit the ventilation device 1 through opening 46b, apart from through minimum flow slot 32b. The valve member 30c shown in Figures SA and 5B partially restricts air flow through the outlet 14c when the device 1 is in the'outlet

closed'position as shown in Figure 5A. Air is not permitted to flow through opening 46c. A fifth preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 6A and 6B has a valve member that fully restricts flow to the outlet 14d and in which airflow is permitted through opening 46d in order to provide a minimum airflow facility.

A sixth preferred embodiment according to the invention is shown in Figures 7A to 7K as a sequence of end elevations in which the valve member is in a range of positions from an open outlet position to a closed outlet position. In each successive view, the pressure element 32e is in a position such that closing element 38e is in a more advanced state of restriction of air flow to the outlet 14e. In this preferred embodiment the front wall 20e and the bottom wall 18e are formed as a single curved wall. Air is permitted to flow through opening 46e for minimum airflow provision.

The window assembly 100 shown in Figure 8 includes glazing 102, a rectangular sash 104, and a rectangular frame 103. The frame is mounted in an aperture 105 of a wall 106 of a building 107. Ventilation device I is shown mounted adjacent a slot 108 formed through upper frame member 109. A weather canopy 110 is provided on an opposite, exterior side of the frame member 109.

Claims

1. A ventilation device for room ventilation comprising a housing and a valve member wherein the valve member has a closing element for restricting airflow and a pressure element for movably operating the closing element in response to air pressure.

2. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 1 in which the closing element comprises a generally flat blade which is adapted to move in a direction substantially aligned with the form thereof for restricting flow in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

3. A ventilation device for room ventilation comprising a housing and a valve member for restricting flow passing through the housing, wherein the valve member has a closing element which comprises a generally flat blade which is adapted to move in a direction substantially aligned with the form thereof for restricting flow in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

4. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 3, in which the blade comprises a closing element of a valve member of the device, and in which a pressure element is provided for movably operating the closing element in response to air pressure.

5. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 or Claim 4 in which there is provided a ventilation path and an outlet, and in which the pressure element lies in a first plane.

6. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 4 in which the closing element lies in a plane non-parallel with that of the pressure element.

7. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 6 in which the pressure element is connected to the closing surface.

8. A ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the valve member comprises an elongate structure extending along the ventilator.

9. A ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing has at least a top wall, a bottom wall, an inlet and an outlet.

10. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 9, when dependent upon claim 1 or claim 4, in which the valve member has a generally triangular shaped end cross-section, of which a first generally straight side comprises the pressure element.

11. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 10 in which one side of the generally triangular shaped end section is curved.

12. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 11 in which at least part of the curved side of the valve member comprises the closing element.

13. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11 or Claim 12 in which the second generally straight side of the valve member is open and in communication with the housing inlet.

14. A ventilation device as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 13 in which the outlet is formed in the bottom wall of the housing.

15. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 14 when dependent upon Claim 11 in which the closing element occupies up to 50% of the length of the

end section curved side, leaving the remaining section of the side open and in direct communication with the housing outlet.

16. A ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the valve member is self-adjustable.

17. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 16 in which the valve member is self-adjustable between a fully exposed outlet and a substantially restricted outlet.

18. A ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the valve member is adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the housing which is located in the vicinity of a top of the housing.

19. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim I or Claim 4 or any preceding claim dependent thereon in which the valve member is adapted to respond to air pressure applied to the pressure element of the valve member, with a lag of approximately 30 degrees separating the movement of the pressure element and the closing element.

20. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 9 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon wherein the pressure element is aligned at between 90 degrees-120 degrees to the inlet when the ventilation device is fully open.

21. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 15 wherein as the ventilation device is fully open, the open section of the valve member curved wall has a projected area equal to the area of the housing outlet.

22. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 9 or any preceding claim when

dependent thereon, in which the outlet is smaller in area than the inlet.

23. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 9 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon in which a section of the housing, preferably a section of the front or top wall, is open to enable access to the valve member once the device is installed.

24. A ventilation device as claimed in Claim 9 or any preceding claim when dependent thereon in which a section of the housing front wall or top wall is open and in fluid communication with the inlet.

25. A ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the ventilation device is a slot ventilator.

26. A ventilation device constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

27. A window or door assembly in which there is a ventilation slot extending from one side of the assembly to the other and a ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim mounted on the assembly in the region of the ventilation slot.

28. An assembly as claimed in Claim 27 which comprises a window assembly.

29. An assembly as claimed in Claim 27 or Claim 28 in which the assembly includes a generally rectangular frame, the ventilation device being mounted in the region of the frame.

30. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29 in which the ventilation slot is formed through an outer frame of the assembly.

31. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29 in which the ventilation slot is formed through a sash frame of the assembly.

32. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29 in which the ventilation slot is formed peripherally exterior of an outer frame of the assembly.

33. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29 in which the ventilation device is glazed-in between an edge of glazing and a frame surrounding the glazing.

34. A window or door assembly constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.