DUCT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING THE DUCT ASSEMBLY IN AN ATTIC

Abstract

A duct assembly for disposition in an attic of a building includes a first vent and a duct. The first vent defines an opening for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior of the building. The duct includes an elongated side defining a passage. The elongated side extends between a first end and a second end with the first end coupled to the first vent and with the passage in fluid communication with the opening of the first vent. The duct includes an end plate sized larger than the passage and sealed to the second end covering the passage at the second end. The elongated side includes an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole for providing fluid communication from the opening of the first vent to the hole.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/532,433 filed Sep. 15, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/717,382 filed Sep. 15, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/717,383 filed Sep. 15, 2005; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/597,129 filed Nov. 11, 2005, the entire specifications of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a duct assembly for disposition in an attic of a building. The present invention further relates to a method of using the duct assembly in the attic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, vents include convection driven vents and power driven vents. The vents are disposed in an attic of a building, such as a residential or commercial building. The attic of the building is defined by a ceiling of the building and by a roof or a roof and a gable. The vents are mounted to the building and extend through the roof and/or the gable between the attic and an exterior of the building.

Convection driven vents allow air to flow between the exterior of the building and the attic by convection. Power driven vents include fans for forcing air to move between the exterior of the building and the attic. The powered vent may be connected to an atmospheric control system that, for example, senses atmospheric conditions inside the attic and supplies or does not supply power to the fan based on the atmospheric conditions.

The vents allow movement, or force movement of air between the exterior of the building and the attic to reduce the temperature of the air in the attic and to reduce the humidity of the air in the attic. The low temperature of the air in the attic is important in winter months to prevent ice dams. In other words, if the temperature of the attic is too high relative to the snow on the roof, the snow will melt and the water from the melted snow will flow down the roof and refreeze as ice. The refreezing ice causes damage to the roof and eventually leads to water intrusion and mold growth. The low temperature of the air in the attic is important in the summer months to aid in the efficiency of the cooling of the building. Low humidity of the air in the attic prevents mold growth in the attic.

Buildings may also include a soffit, or an overhang where the roof and the ceiling of the building meet. The overhang defines an eave and a vent is generally mounted in the soffit to allow the flow of air through the eave.

Some buildings include complexly shaped attics that result in stagnant areas of the attic. Air does not naturally flow through the stagnant areas of the attic. In other words, the ceiling, equipment disposed on the ceiling, and complexly shaped roofs create the stagnant areas where the flow of air is not natural. In addition, not all buildings include a soffit thereby creating a stagnant area of the attic along the eave between the roof and the ceiling of the building. Vents may be mounted near the stagnant areas to allow or to force air into the stagnant area of the attic. However, depending upon the shape of the attic, it is not always practical or possible to mount a vent near the stagnant area.

It would be desirable to manufacture an assembly that directs the flow of air from the exterior of the building and through the vents into the stagnant areas of the attic to allow air flow in the stagnant areas of the attic thereby reducing the temperature and humidity of the air in the stagnant areas of the attic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention includes a duct assembly for disposition in an attic of a building. The duct assembly includes a first vent and a duct coupled to the first vent. The first vent defines an opening for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior of the building. The duct includes an elongated side defining a passage. The duct extends between a first end and a second end with the first end coupled to the first vent and with the passage in fluid communication with the opening of the first vent. The duct includes an end plate sized larger than the passage and sealed to the second end covering the passage at the second end. The elongated side includes an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole for providing fluid communication from the opening of the first vent to the hole.

The present invention further includes a method of using the duct assembly to aerate the attic of the building. The method includes the step of mounting the first vent to an orifice defined by an enclosure of the attic to fluidly communicate the opening of the vent with the air of the exterior of the building. The method further includes the step of coupling the first end of the elongated side of the duct to the first vent. The method further includes the step of locating the perforated portion of the elongated side of the duct in a stagnant area of the attic to create airflow from the exterior of the building through the opening of the first vent through the passage of the duct through the hole of the perforated portion and into the stagnant area of the attic.

Accordingly, the duct assembly allows airflow from the exterior of the building to the stagnant areas of the attic. The method of using the duct assembly results in airflow from the exterior of the building to the stagnant area of the building. The airflow in the stagnant areas of the attic manages the temperature and humidity of the attic to prevent ice dams on a roof above the attic and to prevent mold growth in the stagnant area of the attic.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a duct assembly is provided for disposition in an attic of a building, the duct assembly comprising: (1) a first vent defining an opening for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior of the building; and (2) a duct including an elongated side defining an elongated passage extending along a longitudinal axis (A), the duct extending between a first end and a second end with the first end coupled to the first vent and with the passage in fluid communication with the opening of the first vent; the duct including an end plate sized larger than the passage and sealed to the second end covering the passage at the second end; the elongated side including an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole for providing fluid communication from the opening of the first vent to the hole.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for using a duct assembly to aerate an attic of a building with the duct assembly including a first vent and a duct defining a passage with the duct including a first end, a second end, an elongated side extending between a first end and the second end and an end plate sized larger than the passage sealed to the second end and with the elongated side including an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole, the method comprising the steps of: (1) mounting the first vent to an orifice defined by an enclosure of the attic to fluidly communicate an opening of the first vent with the air of the exterior of the building; (2) coupling the first end of the elongated side of the duct to the first vent; and (3) locating the perforated portion of the elongated side of the duct in a stagnant area of the attic to create airflow from the exterior of the building through the opening of the first vent through the passage of the duct through the hole of the perforated portion and into the stagnant area of the attic.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposed of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the building generally taken along line 2-2 shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the building generally taken along line 3-3 shown in FIG. 1.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a duct assembly 20 for disposition in an attic 22 of a building 24 is generally shown. The building 24, such as a residential or commercial building 24, is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The building 24 defines an attic 22 and includes a plurality of additional vents 26 mounted to the building 24 and extending through the building 24 between the attic 22 and an exterior 25 of the building 24. Specifically, the building includes an enclosure 29 for enclosing the attic and the additional vents 26 are mounted to the enclosure 29. For example, the enclosure 29 may be a roof 30, walls, or a combination thereof. The building 24 may include a gable 28.

The additional vents 26 are mounted in the gable 28 and/or in the roof 30 and extend between the attic 22 and the exterior 25 of the building 24, i.e. the additional vents 26 provide fluid communication between the air of the attic and the air of the exterior 25 of the building 24. The roof 30 may also include a soffit that overhangs the sides of the building 24 wherein the additional vents 26 are mounted in the soffit. The plurality of additional vents 26 may be any type of attic 22 vents including convection driven vents, powered vents 33, or a combination thereof. The convection vent may be, but is not limited to a roof can vent, a gable vent, a soffit vent, a ridge vent, or any combination thereof. The powered vent 33 may be, but is not limited to, a roof power vent, a gable power vent, a soffit power vent, or any combination thereof, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/532,350, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The convection driven vents allow air to move between the attic 22 and the exterior 25 of the building 24 by convection. The powered vents 33 force air to move between the attic 22 and the exterior 25 of the building 24 with, for example, a fan 37. The powered vent 33 may be connected to an atmospheric control system that, for example, senses atmospheric conditions inside the attic and supplies or does not supply power to the fan 37 based on the atmospheric conditions.

The duct assembly 20 includes a first vent 34 and a duct 40. The building 24 defines an orifice 27 and the first vent 34 is mounted to the orifice 27. The first vent 34 defines an opening 35 for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior 25 of the building. The duct 40 includes an elongated side 41 defining an elongated passage 43. The elongated side 41 extends between a first end 45 and a second end 47. The first end 45 is coupled to the first vent 34 and the elongated passage 43 is in fluid communication with the opening 35 of the first vent 34.

The duct 40 includes an end plate 49 sized larger than the elongated passage 43 and sealed to the second end 47. The end plate 49 covers the elongated passage 43 at the second end 47. The elongated side 41 includes an unperforated portion 47 being unperforated and a perforated portion 44 defining a hole 46 for providing fluid communication from the opening 35 of the first vent 34 to the hole 46.

The duct assembly 20 is disposed in the attic 22 of the building 24. The duct assembly 20 includes a boot 38. The duct 40 is connected to the boot 38 and the boot 38 is connected to the first vent 34 such that the connection between the boot 38 and the first vent 34 is substantially air-tight.

The duct 40 may be any type of duct 40 that is used in ventilation systems. For example, the duct 40 may be metal, plastic, or PVC. In addition the duct 40 may be circular or rectangular in cross-section and may be of any diameter or rectangular size.

The duct 40 includes the unperforated portion 42 connected to the boot 38 and the perforated portion 44 connected to the unperforated portion 42. A plurality of holes 46 are defined by the perforated portion 44 of the duct 40. Each of the plurality of holes 46 may be spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis A of the elongated passage 43. The holes 46 are preferably ½ inches to 2 inches in diameter and are preferably spaced 4 inches to 24 inches apart along the axis.

The perforated portion 44 of the duct 40 is disposed in stagnant areas 23 of the attic 22. Stagnant areas 23 of the attic 22 include portions of the attic 22 where air does not naturally flow. For example, when the temperature of the attic 22 increases, hot air flows through the open vents 36 to the exterior 25 of the building 24. If the open vents 36 are convection driven vents the hot air flows through the open vents 36 by convection. If the open vents 36 are power driven vents, the hot air is forced through the vent with, for example, a fan. When the duct assembly 20 is connected to a convection driven vent, as the hot air flows to the exterior 25 of the building 24, fresh air is drawn by convection through the first vent 34 and through the unperforated portion 42 of the duct 40 to the perforated portion 44 of the duct 40. The fresh air is dispersed to the stagnant area 23 of the attic 22 through the holes 51 defined in the perforated portion 44 of the duct 40 Likewise, when the duct assembly 20 is connected to a power driven vent, as hot air flows to the exterior 25 of the building 24 or when certain atmospheric conditions exist inside the attic, the power driven vent forces fresh air through the duct assembly 20. Also, when power driven vents are disposed in the attic, when certain atmospheric conditions exist inside attic 22, the power driven vents force air from attic 22, and fresh air is drawn through the duct assembly 20 into the attic 22. The fresh air is forced into the stagnant area 23 of the attic 22 through the holes 51 defined in the perforated portion 44 of the duct 40.

Alternatively, the duct 40 may include a plurality of unperforated portions and a plurality of perforated portions such each of the perforated portions may be disposed in one of a plurality of stagnant areas 23 of the attic 22. Specifically, the duct assembly 40 may include a plurality of unperforated portions and a plurality of perforated portions arranged in alternating relationship with the unperforated portions.

The duct assembly 20 may be installed during the construction of a building or may be installed to currently existing buildings. It should be appreciated that the duct assembly 20 is not limited to residential or commercial buildings, but may be mounted in any structure to allow for the exchange of air between an interior of the structure and an exterior 25 of the structure.

For exemplary purposes, FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of the duct assembly 20. In this specific embodiment, the duct assembly 20 includes the boot 38 connected to the first vent 34, specifically a gable 28 vent, a first right angle elbow 54 connected to the boot 38, a first unperforated portion 48 of the duct 40 connected to the first right angle elbow 54 and extending to the ceiling 32 of the building 24, a second right angle elbow 60 connected to the first unperforated portion 48, a second unperforated portion 50 connected to the second right angle elbow 60 and extending to an eave 56 between the roof 30 and the ceiling 32 of the building 24, a third right angle elbow 58 connected to the second unperforated portion 50, and a first perforated portion 52 connected to the third right angle elbow 58 and extending along the eave 56 between the roof 30 and the ceiling 32 of the building 24. The diameter of the duct 40 depends upon the length of the building, the size of the attic, and other factors. The holes 46 defined by the perforated portion 44 of the duct 40 are preferably spaced one inch apart and face the roof 30.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A ventilation system for disposition in an attic of a building, said ventilation system comprising:

a first vent defining an opening for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior of the building;

a duct including an elongated side defining an elongated passage extending along a longitudinal axis, said duct extending between a first end and a second end with said first end coupled to said first vent and with said passage in fluid communication with said opening of said first vent;

said duct including an end plate sized larger than said passage and sealed to said second end covering said passage at said second end;

said elongated side including an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole for providing fluid communication from said opening of said first vent through said hole to a stagnant area of the attic;

a powered vent in fluid communication with said hole of said perforated portion for selectively moving air from the duct through the hole to the stagnant area of the attic; and

an atmospheric control system connected to said powered vent and configured to selectively activate said powered vent in response to atmospheric conditions in the attic.

2. The ventilation system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hole is further defined as a plurality of holes.

3. The ventilation system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plurality of holes are spaced from each other along said longitudinal axis of said passage.

4. The ventilation system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said unperforated portion is further defined as a plurality of unperforated portions and said perforated portion is further defined as a plurality of perforated portions arranged in alternating relationship with said unperforated portions.

5. The ventilation system as set forth in claim 1 further including a boot sealed to said first vent and sealed to said first end for forming an air-tight seal between said first vent and said first end.

6. A method of using a ventilation system to aerate a stagnant area of an attic of a building, the ventilation including a first vent, a duct defining a passage with the duct including a first end, a second end, an elongated side extending between a first end and the second end and an end plate sized larger than the passage sealed to the second end and with the elongated side including an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole disposed in a stagnant area of the attic, a powered vent in fluid communication with the hole of the perforated portion, and an atmospheric control system connected to the powered vent; said method comprising the steps of:

mounting the first vent to an orifice defined by an enclosure of the attic to fluidly communicate an opening of the first vent with the air of the exterior of the building;

coupling the first end of the elongated side of the duct to the first vent;

locating the perforated portion of the elongated side of the duct in the stagnant area of the attic to create airflow from the exterior of the building through the opening of the first vent through the passage of the duct through the hole of the perforated portion and into the stagnant area of the attic;

providing a powered vent in fluid communication with the hole of the perforated portion;

providing an atmospheric control system connected to the powered vent;

measuring atmospheric conditions of the attic with the atmospheric control system; and

selectively activating the power vent based on the atmospheric conditions measured by the atmospheric control system to move air from the duct through the hole to the stagnant area of the attic.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 further including the step of mounting an additional vent to the enclosure of the attic to allow air to exhaust from the attic.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 further including the step of mounting a plurality of additional vents to the enclosure of the attic.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the additional vent is further defined as a power vent and wherein the step of mounting the additional vent is further defined as mounting the power vent to the enclosure.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 further including the step of providing power to the power vent to force air from the attic to the exterior of the building and to draw air from the exterior through the opening of the first vent and through the hole in the perforated portion of the elongated side of the duct into the stagnant area of the attic.

11. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the additional vent is further defined as a convection driven vent and wherein the step of mounting the additional vent is further defined as mounting the additional vent to the enclosure.

12. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the unperforated portion is further defined as a plurality of unperforated portions and the perforated portion is further defined as a plurality of perforated portions arranged in alternating relationship with the plurality of unperforated portions and wherein the step of locating the perforated portion is further defined as locating each of the plurality of perforated portions in one of a plurality of stagnant areas of the attic.

13. The ventilation system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said atmospheric conditions are further defined as temperature and humidity and wherein said atmospheric control system is capable of sensing the temperature and humidity of the air in the attic.

14. The ventilation system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said powered vent includes a fan.

15. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the atmospheric conditions include temperature and humidity and further including measuring the temperature and humidity of the attic with the atmospheric control system.

16. A ventilation system for disposition in an attic of a building, said ventilation system comprising:

a first vent defining an opening for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior of the building;

a duct including an elongated side defining an elongated passage, said duct extending between a first end and a second end with said first end coupled to said first vent and with said passage in fluid communication with said opening of said first vent;

said duct including an end plate sized larger than said passage and sealed to said second end covering said passage at said second end;

said elongated side including an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a plurality of holes for providing fluid communication from said opening of said first vent through said plurality of holes to a stagnant area of the attic;

a powered vent disposed outside of and spaced from said duct and disposed in fluid communication with said plurality of holes of said perforated portion, said powered vent configured to selectively move air from the duct through the hole to the stagnant area of the attic; and

an atmospheric control system connected to said powered vent and configured to selectively activate said powered vent in response to atmospheric conditions in the attic;

wherein said atmospheric conditions are further defined as temperature and humidity and wherein said atmospheric control system is capable of sensing the temperature and humidity of the air in the attic.