IE84524B1 - Acoustically Damped Grille for a Vent - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT An acoustic grille for a window—frame vent comprises acoustic damping material (14), and a plurality of sound—directing tubes (16) disposed to direct incident sound energy substantially towards the acoustic damping material (14).

Description

Acoustically Dammd Grille for a Vent This invention relates to an acoustically damped grille for a window-frame vent Building regulations require that sealed window-frame units have vents to enable a certain degree of air movement into and out of the building to which the window frame is installed.

A problem associated with the introduction of a vent into a window-frame unit is that noise can now be admitted through the opening formed by the vent. This is a particular problem near traffic lanes, such as roads, flight paths and railways.

In addition, for example in windy weather conditions, air may blow through the vent causing draughts within the room with which the window is associated.

A further problem which is apparent is that the vent allows an easy pathway for insects to enter the building.

The present invention seeks to provide’ a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided an acoustically damped grille for a window—frame vent, the grille comprising acoustic damping material, and a plurality of sound-directing tubes disposed to direct incident sound energy towards the acoustic damping material.

Preferable and/or optional features of the present invention are set forth in Claims 2 to 10, inclusive.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of one embodiment of an acoustically damped grille with one end cap separated, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the grille; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the grill with the end cap removed; Figure 4 is an elevational view of one end of the grille with the end cap removed; and Figure 5 is a plan view of part of the grille.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an acoustic grille 10 which comprises a housing 12, acoustic damping material 14, and a plurality of sound- directing tubes 16.

The housing 12 comprises a base plate 18 and a cover element 20, the cover element 20 typically taking the form of an aluminium extrusion, the base plate 18 conveniently comprising a plastics moulding. The cover element 20 includes a roof portion 22 and a side wall portion 24. One longitudinal edge 26 of the base plate 18 is formed with part of an interlocking formation 28, and the free longitudinal edge 30 of the side wall portion 24 of the cover element 20 is fonned with another part of the interlocking formation 28. The base plate 18 and the cover element 20 are thus fastenable to each other via the interlocking formation 28.

The housing 12 also includes end caps 32 which are fastenable to each end of the interengaged base plate 18 and cover element 20 to complete the housing 12. In the completed state, the roof portion 22 of the cover element 20 extends at an angle to the base plate 18.

Each end cap 32 includes a mounting lug 34 which allows the acoustic grille 10 to be externally fastened to, or over, a window-flame vent (not shown).

The housing 12 is formed with first and second inlet-outlets 36 and 38 to allow for the passage of air into and out of the housing 12. The first inlet-outlet 36 is formed in the base plate 18 of the housing 12 and takes the form of a plurality of apertures 40 which allows air to pass between the interior and exterior of the housing 12. The second inlet-outlet 38 allows air to pass between the interior of the housing 12 and the vent to which the acoustic grille 10 is, in use, attached. The second inlet-outlet 38 is defined by a longitudinal edge 42 of the base plate‘ 18, a longitudinal edge 44 of the cover element 20, and an edge 46 of the mounting lugs 34. These edges 42, 44 and 46, in use, all lie in, or substantially in, the same vertical plane.

Each aperture 40 of the first inlet-outlet 36 has one of the sound-directing tubes 16 associated therewith In the illustrated arrangement, each tube 16 is of moulded plastics form and is formed integrally with the base plate 18, each tube 16 extending into the interior of the housing 12 while also projecting externally of the housing 12. Each tube 16 includes a vane 48 which extends across the interior of the tube 16 to prevent, or inhibit, the entry of insects into the housing The plurality of tubes 16 are arranged in four rows 50A-D, with each row being offset relative to an adjacent row by an amount equivalent to half-a-tube.

The tubes 16 forming the two outside rows SOA and 50D are in the fomi of tnmcated cylinders, including a flat region, and these tubes 16 are oriented so that the flat regions face outwardly. The tubes 16 of the remaining two inner rows SOB and 50C are in the form of right circular cylinders.

The tubes 16 are formed so that the vane 48 of each tube I6 is angularly displaced relative to the vane 48 of each adjacent tube 16, as shown in Figure 5.

This is thought to act to reduce draughts as, in windy conditions, the vanes of a number of the tubes 16 will be oriented to counter the flow of air in the prevailing wind direction, and also to limit the occurrence of audible resonance when wind blows across the externally projecting edges of the tubes 16.

The acoustic damping material 14 is positioned on the interior surface 52 of the roof portion 22 of the cover element 20 and is spaced from the sound- directing tubes 16. The material is typically a high energy absorbing foam. The sound-directing tubes 16 face, or substantially face, the acoustic damping material 14 and thus charmel and direct sound energy travelling in the tubes 16 to become incident with the spaced acoustic damping material 14.

The acoustic grille 10 of this embodiment also includes further acoustic damping material 54 on the interior surface 56 of the side wall portion 24 of the cover element 20. This further acoustic damping material 54 extends in spaced parallel relationship with the sound-directing tubes 16 and acts to absorb ambient sound energy transmitted, for example, through the side wall portion 24 of the cover element 20 and into the interior of the housing 12. ltgis thus possible to provide an acoustic grille for a window-frame vent which damps incident noise energy while allowing the passage of circulating air.

It is also possible to provide an acoustic grille which channels and directs incident sound energy to become incident on separate acoustic damping material.

It is further possible to provide an acoustic grille which prevents, or inhibits, the entry of insects while limiting the occurrence of audible resonance.

The embodiment described above is given by way of example only, and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the sound-directing tubes may take other shapes.

Claims (11)

1. An acoustically damped grille for a window-frame vent, the grille comprising acoustic damping material, and a plurality of sound-directing tubes disposed to direct incident sound energy towards the acoustic damping material.

2. A grille as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a housing having an interior and an exterior, and supporting the sound-directing tubes and the acoustic damping material, the housing having a first opening for allowing air to pass between the interior and the exterior of the housing and a second opening for allowing air to pass between the interior of the housing and the window-frame vent; the sound-directing tubes being disposed in the first opening and oriented to direct incident sound energy towards the acoustic damping material while allowing air to pass between the first and second openings.

3. A grille as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes is independent of the other tubes.

4. A grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes includes a vane formed thereacross.

5. S. A grille as claimed in Claim 4, wherein thevanes of adjacent tubes are angularly displaced relative to each other.

6. A grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of tubes project externally from the first opening of the housing.

7. A grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of tubes project internally into the housing.

8. A grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic damping material is positioned on an interior upper surface of the housing, and an end of the plurality of tubes face the interior upper surface of the housing.

9. A grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising additional acoustic damping material disposed on another interior surface of the housing in parallel with a side wall of the plurality of tubes.

10. A grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubes are formed from moulded plastics material, the tubes being formed integrally with a base plate.

11. ll. An acoustically damped grill substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO., Applicants’ Agents,