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(11) | EP 3 064 844 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Ventilation Apparatus |
| (57) A cover panel assembly for a vent, comprising a support member, a cover panel which
covers an outlet of a duct, and a linkage which hingeably connects the cover panel
to the support member, wherein the linkage is configured to allow the cover panel
to be hinged clear of the support member and allow access to the duct.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a vent for venting a building structure, typically venting an external, atmospheric space outside of a building to an internal space within the building, a filter for use with the same, and a wind stop for use with the same to regulate air flow through the vent in the event of external winds or wind gusts.
[0002] Vents, such as wall vents, for venting a building structure to an external, atmospheric space outside of the building structure are known. However, the present invention aims to provide an improved vent, and especially a vent which facilitates removal of internal components, such as a filter and a wind stop.
[0003] In one aspect the present invention provides a cover panel assembly for a vent, comprising a support member, a cover panel which covers an outlet of a duct, and a linkage which hingeably connects the cover panel to the support member, wherein the linkage is configured to allow the cover panel to be hinged clear of the support member and allow access to the duct.
[0004] In one embodiment the support member includes at least one pivot coupling, the cover panel includes at least one counterpart pivot coupling, and the linkage comprises at least one elongate arm which pivotably couples the pivot couplings, optionally the support member includes first and second pivot couplings, the cover panel includes first and second counterpart pivot couplings, and the linkage comprises first and second elongate arms which are pivotally coupled to respective ones of the pivot couplings, optionally the linkage further comprises an interconnecting member which interconnects the arms, whereby the arms move in unison.
[0005] In one embodiment the linkage allows the cover panel to be moved between a closed position, in which the cover panel substantially closes the outlet of the duct, and a plurality of open positions, in which the cover panel is open to a plurality of different extents, optionally the support member includes at least one engagement element and the cover panel includes at least one counterpart engagement element which interengages with the engagement element of the support member and enables the cover panel to be fixed in the closed position or one of the plurality of open positions, optionally the engagement element of one of the support member and the cover panel comprises a lug and the engagement element of the other of the cover panel and the support member comprises a toothed section having a plurality of teeth which selectively engage the lug of the counterpart engagement element of the one of the support member and the cover panel and thereby enable the position of the cover panel to be set in the closed position or one of the plurality of open positions, optionally the support member includes first and second engagement elements and the cover panel includes counterpart first and second engagement elements which interengage with the engagement elements of the support member.
[0006] In another aspect the present invention provides a wind stop for regulating a flow of incoming air to a vent in the event of winds and wind gusts, wherein the wind stop comprises a body member which includes a plurality of apertures through which passes an air flow, and a plurality of flow regulators which act to regulate the flow of the incoming air in the event of winds and wind gusts, optionally comprising first and second flow regulators in adjacent relation.
[0007] In one embodiment the flow regulators each comprise at least one flexible element which, in the absence of any wind or wind gust, adopts a configuration in a direction away from the apertures in the body member, and, in the event of a wind or wind gust, flexes towards the apertures in the body member so as to restrict the flow path to the apertures, optionally the flexible elements of the flow regulators are configured so as substantially to close the apertures in the body member when in the fully-flexed configuration.
[0008] In one embodiment the body member comprises a plurality of supports which each support the at least one flexible element of the respective ones of the flow regulators, optionally the supports each include a channel which receives the respective flow regulator, optionally the flow regulators each comprise a single flexible flap element which is fixed in the channel of the respective support by an engagement element which is located in the channel, with the flap element providing first and second flap sections to opposite sides of the respective support, optionally the engagement element has a shaped head, optionally having a taper, which determines angles of the flap sections in relation to the body member.
[0009] In one embodiment at least one of the flow regulators has first and second flap sections which are formed differently so as to provide different response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
[0010] In one embodiment the flap sections are formed of different shape and/or size, optionally the flap sections are formed from the same material, optionally from a common sheet material, or different materials, optionally from different sheet materials, and/or different materials, optionally from different sheet materials.
[0011] In one embodiment the flap sections are formed from sheet material having a thickness of from about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm, optionally from about 0.25 mm to about 0.6 mm, optionally from about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm.
[0012] In one embodiment the wind stop comprises first and second flow regulators, wherein the first and second flow regulators are formed differently so as to provide different response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
[0013] In a further aspect the present invention provides a filter unit for filtering incoming air to a vent, wherein the filter unit comprises a filter case, optionally a tubular filter case, which defines an inner cavity and has an inlet and an outlet, and a filter element which is supported within the cavity, wherein the filter case includes a trap element which is located within the cavity and extends over at least a lower section of the filter case, optionally at the outlet thereof, so as to provide a stop which prevents water, which is trapped in use by the filter element and collects within the filter case, from passing forwardly out of the filter unit.
[0014] In one embodiment the trap element comprises a flange which is inclined rearwardly and upwardly in a direction from the outlet towards the inlet, and the flange acts to support a lower edge of the filter element.
[0015] In one embodiment the filter case further includes a support element which is located within the cavity and extends over at least an upper section of the filter case, optionally at the inlet thereof, and the support element acts to support the filter element, optionally the support element comprises a flange which is inclined forwardly and downwardly in a direction from the inlet to the outlet, and the flange acts to support an upper edge of the filter element, whereby the filter element is held in an inclined orient between the trap element and the support element.
[0016] In one embodiment the filter case includes a plurality of through apertures therein, optionally in a grid pattern, optionally having an open area of at least 50%.
[0017] In one embodiment the wind stop and the filter unit are provided in combination, wherein the wind stop and the filter unit comprise a single, integral unit.
[0018] The present invention also extends to a vent, optionally a wall vent, comprising at least one of the above-described cover panel assembly, the above-described wind stop, the above-described filter unit or the above-described wind stop and filter unit combination, optionally further comprising a body which provides a duct which extends through an opening in a building and includes an inlet which is fluidly connected to a first, environmental space from which a supply of fresh air is drawn and an outlet which is fluidly connected to a second space internal to the building, optionally the wind stop, the filter unit and/or the wind stop and filter unit combination are slideably disposed within and removable from the duct.
[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view from above of a wall vent in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view from below of the wall vent of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the wall vent of Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the wall vent of Figure 1, with the cover panel in a raised position to allow access to the filter and the wind stop;
Figure 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the wall vent of Figure 1, with the cover panel in a raised position and the filter and the wind stop removed;
Figure 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the wall vent of Figure 1;
Figure 7 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section I-I in Figure 1) of the wall vent of Figure 1, with the cover panel in a first position;
Figure 8 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section I-I in Figure 1) of the wall vent of Figure 1, with the cover panel in a second position;
Figure 9 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section II-II in Figure 1) of the wall vent of Figure 1, with the cover panel in the first position;
Figure 10 illustrates a horizontal sectional view (along section III-III in Figure 1) of the wall vent of Figure 1, with the cover panel in the first position;
Figure 11(a) illustrates a front perspective view of the wind stop of the wall vent of Figure 1;
Figure 11(b) illustrates a rear perspective view of the wind stop of Figure 11(a);
Figure 11(c) illustrates an exploded perspective view of the wind stop of Figure 11(a);
Figure 11(d) illustrates a front view of the wind stop of Figure 11(a);
Figure 11(e) illustrates a rear view of the wind stop of Figure 11(a);
Figure 11(f) illustrates a side view of the wind stop of Figure 11(a);
Figure 11(g) illustrates an underneath plan view of the wind stop of Figure 11(a);
Figure 12(a) illustrates a perspective view from one end of the filter of the wall vent of Figure 1;
Figure 12(b) illustrates a perspective view from the other end of the filter of Figure 12(a);
Figure 12(c) illustrates a first side view (along direction A in Figure 12(b)) of the filter of Figure 12(a);
Figure 12(d) illustrates a second side view (along direction B in Figure 12(b)) of the filter of Figure 12(a);
Figure 12(e) illustrates one end view of the filter of Figure 12(a), with the filter element removed for ease of illustration; and
Figure 12(f) illustrates a longitudinal sectional view (along section IV-IV in Figure 12(d)) of the filter of Figure 12(a).
[0020] The wall vent comprises a body 3 which is located within an opening in a building, such as through a wall.
[0021] In this embodiment the body 3 comprises a duct 5 which extends through the opening in the building and includes an inlet 7 which is fluidly connected to a first, environmental space, here the external atmosphere from which a supply of fresh air is drawn, and an outlet 9 which is fluidly connected to a second space, here a space internal to the building.
[0022] In this embodiment the duct 5 comprises a tubular element and includes a detent 10 at the inlet 7, which engages a counterpart detent 63 on a wind stop 51, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.
[0023] In this embodiment the body 3 further comprises an attachment member 11, here at the outlet 9, which allows for attachment of the body 3 to the building and receives a support member 17 of a cover panel assembly 15, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.
[0024] In this embodiment the attachment member 11 comprises a flange, here of rectangular shape, which extends about the periphery of the outlet 9 of the duct 5.
[0025] In this embodiment the body 3 further comprises a collar 12 which is located about the periphery of the inlet 7 of the duct 5 and defines an inwardly-directed flange 14 which provides a stop for a wind stop 51, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.
[0026] The wall vent further comprises a cover panel assembly 15 which is fluidly connected to the outlet 9 of the duct 5, in this embodiment being attached to the attachment member 11 of the body 3.
[0027] In this embodiment the cover panel assembly 15 comprises a support member 17 which is attached to the attachment member 11 of the body 3, here clipped thereto, a cover panel 19 which is coupled to the support member 17, and a linkage 21 which hingeably connects the cover panel 19 to the support member 17.
[0028] In this embodiment the support member 17 includes first and second pivot couplings 23, here at an upper section thereof, and the cover panel 19 includes counterpart first and second pivot couplings 25, here at an upper section thereof, and the linkage 21 pivotably couples the respective ones of the pivot couplings 23, 25.
[0029] In this embodiment the linkage 21 comprises first and second arms 27 which are pivotally coupled to respective ones of the pivot couplings 23, 25, and an interconnecting member 31 which interconnects the arms 27, whereby the arms 27 move in unison.
[0030] With this pivotable coupling, the cover panel 19 can be moved between a closed position, in which cover panel 19 is juxtaposed the support member 17 and the outlet 9 of the duct 5 is closed, and various open positions, in which the cover panel 19 is open to different extents, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.
[0031] Furthermore, with this pivotable coupling, the cover panel 19 can be raised clear of the support member 17 and allow unimpeded access to the duct 5, which enables removal of the wind stop 51 and a filter 81, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
[0032] In this embodiment the support member 17 includes first and second engagement elements 35, here at a lower section thereof, and the cover panel 19 includes counterpart first and second engagement elements 37, here at a lower section thereof, which interengage with the engagement elements 35 of the support member 17, and enable the cover panel 19 to be fixed in the closed position or one of the plurality of set open positions.
[0033] In this embodiment the engagement elements 35 of the support member 17 each comprise a lug 41 and the engagement elements 37 of the cover panel 19 each comprise a toothed section 43 having a plurality of teeth 45 which selectively engage the lug 41 of the counterpart engagement element 35 of the support member 17, and thereby enable the position of the cover panel 19 to be set in one of the plurality of positions.
[0034] In this embodiment the cover panel 19 comprises an outer panel element 47 and an inner insulation element 49 which opposes the outlet 9 of the duct 5.
[0035] The wall vent further comprises a wind stop 51 which is disposed at the inlet 7 of the duct 5 and acts to regulate the flow rate of the incoming air in the event of winds and wind gusts.
[0036] The wind stop 51 comprises a body member 53 which includes a plurality of apertures 55 through which an air flow is drawn, and a plurality of flow regulators 57, which act to regulate the flow rate of the incoming air in the event of winds and wind gusts.
[0037] In this embodiment the apertures 55 are arranged in a rectangular, grid pattern, but could have other forms.
[0038] In this embodiment the body member 53 comprises an annular element 61 which has an outer diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the duct 5, and the annular element 61 is seated at the flange 14 of the collar 12.
[0039] In this embodiment the annular element 61 includes a detent 63 which engages the detent 10 on the duct 5 in order to provide that the wind stop 51 is oriented with a desired orientation.
[0040] In this embodiment the body member 53 further comprises a plurality of supports 67 which support the respective ones of the flow regulators 57.
[0041] In this embodiment the supports 67 each include an elongate channel 69 which receives the respective flow regulator 57.
[0042] The flow regulators 57 each comprise at least one flexible element 71 which, in the absence of any wind or wind gust, adopts a configuration in a direction away from the apertures 55 in the body member 53, and, in the event of a wind or wind gust, flexes towards the apertures 55 in the body member 53 so as to restrict the flow path to the apertures 55, and thereby reduce the flow through the duct 5. In one embodiment the flexible element 71 could be pre-shaped such as to include a spine which is configured to fit within the channel 69 and with the flap sections 77, 79 inclined thereto.
[0043] In this embodiment the flexible elements 71 of the flow regulators 57 are configured such as substantially to close the apertures 55 in the body member 53 when in the fully-flexed configuration.
[0044] In this embodiment the flow regulators 57 each comprise a single flexible flap element 71 which is fixed in the channel 69 of the respective support 67 by an elongate engagement element 75 which is located in the channel 69, with the flap element 71 providing first and second flap sections 77, 79 to opposite sides of the support 67.
[0045] In this embodiment the engagement element 75 has a shaped head 76, here having a taper, which determines the angle of the flap sections 77, 79 in relation to the longitudinal axis of the duct 5 in the absence of any wind or wind gust.
[0046] In this embodiment the first and second flap sections 77, 79 have a different shape and size, thereby providing for different response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
[0047] In this embodiment the first and second flap sections 77, 79 are formed from a common sheet material, here of a silicone rubber.
[0048] In this embodiment the flap sections 77, 79 are formed from a sheet having a thickness of from about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm, optionally from about 0.25 mm to about 0.6 mm, optionally from about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm.
[0049] In an alternative embodiment the first and second flap sections 77, 79 could be formed differently, such as from sheet materials of different thickness, in order to provide for different response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
[0050] In one embodiment the flap sections 77, 79 of the flap elements 71 of the first and second flow regulators 57 could be formed differently, such as from sheet materials of different thickness, in order to provide for different response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
[0051] The wall vent further comprises a filter 81 which acts to filter the incoming air and is disposed within the duct 5 downstream of the wind stop 51.
[0052] In this embodiment the filter 81 comprises a tubular filter case 83 which defines an inner cavity 84, and a filter element 85 which is supported within the cavity 84 of the filter case 83.
[0053] In this embodiment the filter case 83 has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the duct 5.
[0054] In this embodiment the filter case 83 has an inlet 91 which is fluidly connected to the wind stop 51 and an outlet 93 which is fluidly connected to the outlet 9 of the duct 5, such that the incoming air flow is directed through the cavity 84 of the filter case 83 and the filter element 85 which is supported therein.
[0055] In this embodiment the filter case 83 includes a trap element 97 which is located within the cavity 84 thereof and extends over at least a lower section of the filter case 83, here at the outlet 93, such as to provide a dam or weir which prevents water, which is trapped by the filter element 85 and collects within the filter case 83, from passing forwardly out of the wall vent through the cover panel 19. The present inventors have recognized that, by arranging the filter element 85 to deliver any collected water to the a lower section of the filter case 83, and providing the trap element 97 to prevent the escape of this collected water, water can be prevented from passing forwardly out of the wall vent through the cover panel 19 and thereby enables the collected water to evaporate over time.
[0056] In this embodiment the trap element 97 comprises a rearwardly and upwardly inclined flange, which acts to support a lower edge of the filter element 85.
[0057] In this embodiment the filter case 83 further includes a support element 99 which is located within the cavity 84 thereof and extends over at least an upper section of the filter case 83, and acts to support the filter element 85.
[0058] In this embodiment the support element 99 comprises a forwardly and downwardly inclined flange, which acts to support an upper edge of the filter element 85, whereby the filter element 85 is held in an inclined orient between the trap element 97 and the support element 99.
[0059] In this embodiment the filter element 85 comprises a porous web having an average pore density of at most 20 pores per inch, optionally at most 15 pores per inch, here 10 pores per inch.
[0060] In this embodiment the filter case 83 includes a plurality of apertures 101 in the peripheral wall thereof. In this embodiment the apertures 101 are arranged in a grid pattern. In one embodiment the filter case 83 has an open area of at least 50%. This construction allows for sound attenuation where the duct 5 is formed from a sound attenuating material, which acts to reduce noise created by the incoming air flow.
1. A cover panel assembly for a vent, comprising a support member, a cover panel which
covers an outlet of a duct, and a linkage which hingeably connects the cover panel
to the support member, wherein the linkage is configured to allow the cover panel
to be hinged clear of the support member and allow access to the duct.
2. The cover panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member includes at least
one pivot coupling, the cover panel includes at least one counterpart pivot coupling,
and the linkage comprises at least one elongate arm which pivotably couples the pivot
couplings, optionally the support member includes first and second pivot couplings,
the cover panel includes first and second counterpart pivot couplings, and the linkage
comprises first and second elongate arms which are pivotally coupled to respective
ones of the pivot couplings, optionally the linkage further comprises an interconnecting
member which interconnects the arms, whereby the arms move in unison.
3. The cover panel assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the linkage allows the cover panel
to be moved between a closed position, in which the cover panel substantially closes
the outlet of the duct, and a plurality of open positions, in which the cover panel
is open to a plurality of different extents, optionally the support member includes
at least one engagement element and the cover panel includes at least one counterpart
engagement element which interengages with the engagement element of the support member
and enables the cover panel to be fixed in the closed position or one of the plurality
of open positions, optionally the engagement element of one of the support member
and the cover panel comprises a lug and the engagement element of the other of the
cover panel and the support member comprises a toothed section having a plurality
of teeth which selectively engage the lug of the counterpart engagement element of
the one of the support member and the cover panel and thereby enable the position
of the cover panel to be set in the closed position or one of the plurality of open
positions, optionally the support member includes first and second engagement elements
and the cover panel includes counterpart first and second engagement elements which
interengage with the engagement elements of the support member.
4. A wind stop for regulating a flow of incoming air to a vent in the event of winds
and wind gusts, wherein the wind stop comprises a body member which includes a plurality
of apertures through which passes an air flow, and a plurality of flow regulators
which act to regulate the flow of the incoming air in the event of winds and wind
gusts, optionally comprising first and second flow regulators in adjacent relation.
5. The wind stop of claim 4, wherein the flow regulators each comprise at least one flexible
element which, in the absence of any wind or wind gust, adopts a configuration in
a direction away from the apertures in the body member, and, in the event of a wind
or wind gust, flexes towards the apertures in the body member so as to restrict the
flow path to the apertures, optionally the flexible elements of the flow regulators
are configured so as substantially to close the apertures in the body member when
in the fully-flexed configuration.
6. The wind stop of claim 5, wherein the body member comprises a plurality of supports
which each support the at least one flexible element of the respective ones of the
flow regulators, optionally the supports each include a channel which receives the
respective flow regulator, optionally the flow regulators each comprise a single flexible
flap element which is fixed in the channel of the respective support by an engagement
element which is located in the channel, with the flap element providing first and
second flap sections to opposite sides of the respective support, optionally the engagement
element has a shaped head, optionally having a taper, which determines angles of the
flap sections in relation to the body member.
7. The wind stop of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein at least one of the flow regulators
has first and second flap sections which are formed differently so as to provide different
response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
8. The wind stop of claim 7, wherein the flap sections are formed of different shape
and/or size, optionally the flap sections are formed from the same material, optionally
from a common sheet material, or different materials, optionally from different sheet
materials, and/or different materials, optionally from different sheet materials.
9. The wind stop of claim 7 or 8, wherein the flap sections are formed from sheet material
having a thickness of from about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm, optionally from about 0.25
mm to about 0.6 mm, optionally from about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm.
10. The wind stop of claim 4, comprising first and second flow regulators, wherein the
first and second flow regulators are formed differently so as to provide different
response characteristics in response to winds or wind gusts.
11. A filter unit for filtering incoming air to a vent, wherein the filter unit comprises
a filter case, optionally a tubular filter case, which defines an inner cavity and
has an inlet and an outlet, and a filter element which is supported within the cavity,
wherein the filter case includes a trap element which is located within the cavity
and extends over at least a lower section of the filter case, optionally at the outlet
thereof, so as to provide a stop which prevents water, which is trapped in use by
the filter element and collects within the filter case, from passing forwardly out
of the filter unit.
12. The filter unit of claim 11, wherein the trap element comprises a flange which is
inclined rearwardly and upwardly in a direction from the outlet towards the inlet,
and the flange acts to support a lower edge of the filter element, optionally the
filter case further includes a support element which is located within the cavity
and extends over at least an upper section of the filter case, optionally at the inlet
thereof, and the support element acts to support the filter element, optionally the
support element comprises a flange which is inclined forwardly and downwardly in a
direction from the inlet to the outlet, and the flange acts to support an upper edge
of the filter element, whereby the filter element is held in an inclined orient between
the trap element and the support element.
13. The filter unit of claim 11 or 12, wherein the filter case includes a plurality of
through apertures therein, optionally in a grid pattern, optionally having an open
area of at least 50%.
14. The wind stop and the filter unit of any of claims 4 to 13 in combination, optionally
the wind stop and the filter unit comprise a single, integral unit, or the cover panel
assembly and the wind stop and/or the filter unit of any of claims 4 to 13 in combination.
15. A vent, optionally a wall vent, comprising at least one of the cover panel assembly,
the wind stop, the filter unit or the wind stop and filter unit combination of any
of claims 1 to 14, optionally further comprising a body which provides a duct which
extends through an opening in a building and includes an inlet which is fluidly connected
to a first, environmental space from which a supply of fresh air is drawn and an outlet
which is fluidly connected to a second space internal to the building, optionally
the wind stop, the filter unit and/or the wind stop and filter unit combination are
slideably disposed within and removable from the duct.