GB2579675A

GB2579675A - Window sill system

Info

Publication number: GB2579675A
Application number: GB1820279.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rimmer Keith
Original assignee: Ksr Consultancy Nw Ltd
Current assignee: Ksr Consultancy Nw Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-12
Filing date: 2018-12-12
Publication date: 2020-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-12
Also published as: GB2579675B; GB201820279D0

Abstract

The system comprises a body 1 that is arrangeable adjacent a lower edge of a window. The body comprises an air input 10 to draw in air, an air outlet 20 to direct a stream of air across at least a portion of the surface of the window and air flow channel 30 extending through the body between the air input and air output. The sill may be arranged on the interior or exterior of the window. The air input may be adjacent a heat source 60 to draw air heated by the heat source into the air flow channel. The system may comprise a heat source (80, figure 2) to heat the air within the body. The heat source may comprise at least one heating element arranged in the air flow channel. The heat source may comprise controls to heat the air to a pre-determined temperature and/or heat the air such that the surface of the window is heated by the stream of air to a pre-determined temperature.

Description

WINDOW SILL SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a window sill system for a building window.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] A window is a glazed unit that may be mounted in a wall or door of a building.

It is well known and understood that windows have poor thermal insulation. As a consequence, heat can leak through a window surface and cause heat loss. If the external temperature drops below ambient room temperature then the colder window surfaces can cause a cooling effect in a room and create cold spots. Also, as warmer room air contacts the colder window surfaces condensation can form which effects visibility and can lead to damp.

[0003] Previously, these problem has been addressed by adding insulating barriers to windows such as curtains and shutters. However, these items must be closed and cover the window to provide an insulating effect, and so they block visibility. Triple glazed windows are known to have a higher heat loss resistance rate (R value) than single or doubled glazed windows. However, the replacement costs, time and disruption can be prohibitive. The configuration of a window opening can also restrict the addition of an insulator and/or a window with multiple glazing.

[0004] The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a window sill system for a building window.

The window sill system is configured to direct a stream of air across the window surface.

[0006] The window sill system comprises a body that is configured to be arranged adjacent a bottom edge of the window. The body comprises an air input to draw in air, an air output to direct a stream of air across at least a portion of the surface of the window, and an air flow channel extending between the air input and air output.

[0007] When the air directed in the stream across the window has a higher temperature than the window surface, the stream of warmer air provides an insulating and heating effect on the cooler window surface. This insulating and heating effect of the air stream counters heat loss through the window and the cooling effect of the cooler window surface. Any consequential cooling within the room and the formation of cold spots is thereby restricted. The insulating and heating effect of the air stream also helps to raise the surface temperature of the window so as to limit the formation of condensation.

[0008] The window sill system may be an internal window sill system arranged on an interior side of the building window. As such, the air input is configured to draw air from within an internal room environment and the air output is configured to direct the stream of air across at least a portion of an internal surface of the window.

[0009] The window sill system may be an external window sill system arranged on an exterior side of the building window. As such, the air input is configured to draw air from the external environment and the air output is configured to direct the stream of air across at least a portion of an external surface of the window.

[0010] The window sill system may be an internal/external window sill system arranged on both the interior and exterior sides of the building window, whereby the air input is configured to draw air from the internal room environment and air output is configured to direct the stream of air across at least a portion of an external surface of the window.

[0011] The body may be a unitary, one-piece body or it may be formed from multiple component parts. The body may be formed from any suitable materials, including recycled materials such as recyclable plastics.

[0012] The air input comprises an aperture formed in the body through which air can enter the body. The air input may further comprise a hood that is configured to help guide air into the body and towards the air flow channel.

[0013] The air output comprises at least one aperture formed in the body. The at least one aperture is configured to form a stream of air extends across at least a portion of the window surface.

[0014] The air input may draw air from within the internal room environment having an ambient room temperature.

[0015] The air input may be arranged adjacent a heat source external to the body and within the room, and configured to draw air heated by the external heat source into the air flow channel. For example, the air input may be arranged adjacent a radiator to draw heated air rising by convection from the radiator into the air flow channel.

[0016] The window sill system may comprise an internal heat source mounted within the body to heat the air.

[0017] The internal heat source may comprise at least one heating element to provide a heating effect. The at least one heating element may be arranged in the air flow channel. The heating element may be any suitable type of heating element. For example the heating element may be electric-type heating element or a wet-type heating element.

[0018] The internal heat source may further comprise controls to control the heating element so as to heat the air and/or the surface of the window to a predetermined temperature and achieve a desired insulating and heating effect of the air stream. The controls may comprise a sensor to detect the surface temperature of the window and the controls may be configured to regulate and adjust the heating of the air by the heating element to achieve a predetermined window surface temperature. As such, the window sill system is able to optimise the insulating and heating effect of the air stream.

[0019] The window sill system may form a shelf or ledge with respect to the building window. Depending on the configuration of the window, the window may be mounted on a wall.

[0020] The window sill system may comprise a cover layer configured to extend over the body. The cover layer may provide an aesthetic and/or decorative finish. The cover layer may comprise a conventional window board. The cover layer may be formed form any suitable material include uPVC, MDF, natural stone, marble, man-made conglomerate and/or wood.

[0021] The window sill system may be retro-fitted with respect to a prior existing window. For example, the window sill system may be retro-fitted below the prior window board. The window sill system may also be newly fitted with respect to a new window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a window sill system according to the present invention; Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a window sill system according to the present.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] With reference to the embodiments depicted in Figures 1 and 2, a window sill system according to present invention comprises a hollow body 1. The body may be a unitary, one-piece body or it may be formed from multiple component parts.

[0024] The body comprises an air input 10, and air output 20 and an air flow channel 30 extending therebetween.

[0025] In the embodiments depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the window sill system is arranged on the internal side of the window 40, adjacent to a lower internal edge 41 of the window. The window sill system extends substantially the length of the lower edge of the window. The window sill system is mounted on a wall 50 and it forms a ledge across the wall relative to the window. The wall 50 may be a cavity external wall as shown. In the embodiments, the external temperature is less than the ambient internal room temperature.

[0026] In the first embodiment depicted in Figure 1, a radiator 60 is mounted on the internal side of the wall, below the window and window sill system to heat the room.

[0027] The air input 10 comprises an aperture 11 in the body through which air can flow into the air flow channel. In the embodiment shown, the air input further comprises a hood 12 which forms a curving, overhanging lip of the body. The hood helps to guide the air towards the air flow channel. As shown in Figure 1, the air input is configured to guide heated air that is heated at the rear of the radiator and rises towards the air input by convection.

[0028] The air flow channel 30 comprises a passage in the body that is configured to guide the flow of heated air towards the air output.

[0029] The air output 20 comprises at least one aperture 21 in the body that is configured to direct a stream of the heated air 70 across at least a portion of the internal surface of the window. The stream of heated air continues to rise upwardly across the internal surface of the window by convection. The stream of air spreads like a curtain across the window surface. The aperture may comprise an elongate vent or multiple vent holes extending along the body to create the stream of heated air. The multiple vent holes may be defined by a grill or fins.

[0030] The stream of heated air forms an air curtain across at least a portion of the window. Due to the temperature differential between the stream of heated air and cooler window, stream of heated air acts as an insulator and also heats the internal surface of the window. As a consequence, heat loss through the window is reduced and the cooling effect that would have previously been caused by the cooler window surface is reduced. Hence, the formation of cold spots in the room is limited. By raising the temperature of the internal surface of the window, the formation of condensation on the window surface is also reduced, thereby maintaining visibility through the window and avoiding damp.

[0031] Figure 2 depicts a second embodiment of the window sill system. In this embodiment, the air input 10 is configured to draw air from within the room, with an ambient room temperature. To optimise the insulating and warming effect of the stream of air on the internal surface of the window, the window sill system further comprises a heat source with multiple heating elements 80 located in the air flow channel. The heating elements heats the air so that the stream of heated air is able to raise the temperature of the internal surface of the window to a predetermined temperature and thereby restrict, preferably avoid heat loss, the formation of cold spots in the room and condensation on the internal window surface. The heating element is controlled by a sensor 81 detecting the temperature of the internal surface of the window and so that stream of air heats the surface of the window to a predetermined temperature.

[0032] The heat source may be a wet heat source comprising heated fluid pipes and fluid control valves. The heated fluid pipes may be coupled to a wet heating system of the building. Alternatively, the heat source may be an electric heat source comprising a low wattage electric heating coil and thermostat.

[0033] In this embodiment, the window sill system comprises a cover layer 90 configured to shroud the body. The cover layer is intended to provide a desirable aesthetic and decorative effect. The cover layer may comprise a conventional window board. The cover layer may be formed from any suitable material including for example, uPVC, MDF, natural stone, marble, conglomerate and/or wood.

[0034] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more embodiments, it will be appreciated that further embodiments may comprise any combination of features, and various changes or modifications may be made without departing form the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A window sill system comprising a body arrangeble adjacent a lower edge of a window, wherein the body comprises: an air input to draw in air; an air output to direct a stream of air across at least a portion of the surface of the window; and an air flow channel extending through the body between the air input and air output.
2. The window sill system according to claim 1, wherein the body is arrangeable substantially along the length of the lower edge of the window.
3. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is arrangeable on the interior side of the window.
4. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is arrangeable on the exterior side of the window.
5. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is a CD one-piece body or is formed from multiple component parts.
CO 6. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, wherein the air input C\J comprises an aperture and a hood to guide air through the aperture and towards the air flow channel.
7. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, wherein the air input is arrangeable adjacent a heat source to draw air heated by the heat source into the air flow channel.
8. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, wherein the air output comprises an elongate vent or multiple vents to create the stream of air.
9. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a heat source to heat the air within the body.
10. The window sill system according to claim 9, wherein the heat source comprises at least one heating element arranged in the air flow channel.
11. The window sill system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the heat source comprises controls to heat the air to a predetermined temperature and/or to heat the air such that the surface of the window is heated by the stream of air to a predetermined temperature.
12. The window sill system according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the at least one heating element comprises a wet heating element or an electric heating element.
13. The window sill system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a cover layer configured to extend over the body. C)1.1") CO