HIGH WIND EVENT PRESSURE EQUALIZATION DEVICE
A pressure equalization device 200 comprises an elongated member 202 arranged and designed to extend between an exterior and an interior of a building 100 and at least one rupture disc 208. The rupture disc 208 may be any appropriate shape and is configured to rupture when an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the building exceeds a certain threshold, thereby allowing the exterior and interior air pressures to substantially equalize. The device may contain end caps 205 which may be attached to the elongated member 202 by a friction fit or other suitable method.
1. Field Of the Invention
The invention disclosed herein is a device which substantially equalizes air pressures present inside and outside of a building during high wind events, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
High winds are associated with many bad weather events, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and affect fixed structures, such as buildings, in a number of ways. One way is often a differential between air pressure within the building and outside. For example, a high wind event may generate a positive pressure event where air pressure outside of a building quickly exceeds or substantially exceeds the air pressure within the building. A negative pressure event is created where air pressure inside of a building quickly exceeds air pressure outside of that building. A combination of positive and negative pressure events can be created, either inside or out. When air pressure ratings of the building's doors and windows are exceeded, they fail, leading to potential loss within the building, or loss of the building itself. A device is needed which is capable of mitigating pressure differentials created between a building's interior and exterior during high wind events. Previous attempts to address this issue have included the incorporation of one-way valves, flapper valves, and breathing tubes. These attempts often allow air to escape from a building or other enclosed space but prevent air from re-entering that building. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,459; U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,201; and German Patent DE102005002285. These types of systems may lead to a loss of conditioned interior air any time there is a low pressure weather system in the area surrounding the building. The previous solutions often involve moving parts that may require maintenance or become less effective over time.
3. Identification of the Objects of the Invention
An object of the invention is to provide a device that substantially equalizes exterior air pressure and interior air pressure within a building during inclement weather, particularly high wind events.
Another object of the invention is to provide a low-cost and substantially maintenance free safety device for equalizing exterior air pressure and interior air pressure within a building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA pressure equalization device (“PED”), suitable for use in a building or structure that is enclosed or semi-enclosed having an interior environment substantially insulated from an exterior (e.g., outdoor) environment, is disclosed. The PED may be a device that, upon reaching a certain pressure differential threshold, allows substantial equalization of exterior air pressure and interior air pressure within a building during storm conditions.
The following reference numbers are used to designate elements of the invention:
100—Building
101—Wall
104—Outside Building Material
106—Wall Material
107—Ceiling Material
108—Top Plate
110—Rafters
112—Roof Decking
114—Roofing Material
116—Fascia
118—Soffit Material
200—Pressure Equalization Device
202—Elongated Member
203—Central Bore
204—Mounting Flange
205—End Cap
206—End Cap Flange
207—Cap Portion
208—Cap Portion Rupture Disc
209—End Cap Flange Lip
220—Exterior End Cap
222—Interior End Cap
One or more PEDs 200 may be installed within a wall 101 of a building. Multiple PEDs 200 may also be installed on separate walls 101 of a single building. The PEDs are configured to extend from at least the wall's 101 exterior to its interior, that is, outside to inside, or vice versa. The PEDs 200 may be positioned within the wall 101 to minimize visual appearance from one or both the exterior and interior. For example, the PED 200 may be installed a certain distance from the finished interior ceiling 107, preferably as close as possible, to minimize visual appearance. The PEDs 200 may also be painted or otherwise decorated to reduce visibility.
The PED 200 further includes an exterior end cap 220 and an interior end cap 222. The end caps 220 and 222 each include a cap 205 illustrated in
The rupture disc 208 may be located at a distal end of the cap portion 207. Alternatively, the rupture disc 208 may be located at other locations within the cap portion 207. The rupture disc 208 may be configured to span an area within the cap portion 207 and rupture, break, or burst upon contact by a certain force or pressure. Preferably, the rupture disc 208 is a thin-walled solid surface. For example, the rupture disc 208 may be less than one-sixteenth ( 1/16) inch, or less than one-eighth (⅛) inch, or greater. The disc 208 may be configured to rupture or fail at particular air pressure differentials between the outside and inside air pressures. In one embodiment, the rupture disc 208 is configured to fail when an outside/inside air pressure differential exceeds approximately ten (10) pounds per square foot (psf). In other embodiments, the rupture disc 208 may be configured to fail when an outside/inside air pressure differential exceeds at least twenty (20) psf or thirty (30) psf. Still larger air pressure differentials may be used than the examples above. In one embodiment, the discs 208 may be designed to rupture at an air pressure that is less than air pressure ratings of doors or windows in a building.
As discussed, a rupture disc 208 may be located at the distal end of a cap portion 207 or disposed at an end or within the body of the elongated member 202.
The PEDs 200 disclosed herein may be constructed of various types of material. In one embodiment, the PED 200 may be a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), or others. PEDs 200 may be formed using all the same material. Alternatively, only portions of the PED 200 may be a polymer such as PVC. For example, only the rupture disc 208 may be PVC. That is, different components of the PED 200 may be made of different materials.
PEDs 200 may be installed in existing walls 101 or in new construction. Methods of installing in an existing wall 101 include first drilling a small diameter pilot hole through the wall 101. A larger hole corresponding to an outer diameter of the elongated member 202 of the PED 200 may then be drilled through the wall 101. The PED 200 is installed from the outside of the wall 101 to the inside, although it may also be installed from the inside to the outside in certain instances. After the PED 200 is properly positioned, any sealing material may be applied around the mounting flange 204 of the PED 200. Fasteners may be inserted through holes in the mounting flange 204 to engage the wall 101 and secure the mounting flange 204 to the wall 101.
In one method of installation, an exterior end cap 220 may then be installed onto the elongated member 202. Preferably, the exterior end cap 220 is designed to snap onto and over the end of elongated member 202. An end of the elongated member 202 protruding into the interior may be cut to a desired length relative to the interior wall material 106. Preferably, the end is cut to within less than one inch of the finished interior wall material 106. An interior end cap 222 is then installed onto the elongated member 202. Preferably, the interior end cap 222 is designed to snap onto and over the elongated member 202. Minor touchup work may be performed to either or both the exterior and interior of the wall 101 for aesthetic purposes. The end caps 205 may also be painted or decorated to minimize visibility.
Once the PED 200 is installed in a wall 101, an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior reaching a certain level may be sufficient to rupture the discs 208 on either end of the PED 200. That is, an outside air pressure that exceeds the inside air pressure within the building by a specified amount will rupture the discs 208 of the PED 200, which provides an open conduit for “communication” between exterior and interior pressures. This reduces the pressure differential by allowing exterior and interior air pressures to substantially equalize. For example, a lower air pressure within a building may increase to a level closer to a higher outside pressure. In another example, a higher air pressure within a building may decrease to a level closer to a lower outside pressure. Advantageously, the PED 200 may be designed to rupture at an air pressure lower than air pressure ratings of doors or windows in a building, thereby mitigating damage caused by high wind events.
The claimed subject matter is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A pressure equalization device (200) comprising:
- a hollow elongated member (202) arranged and designed to extend between an exterior and an interior of a building, said member (202) having an exterior end and an interior end;
- at least one rupture disc (208) coupled with the elongated member (202),
- wherein the rupture disc (208) is designed to rupture when an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior exceeds a predetermined air pressure differential, thereby allowing the exterior and interior air pressures of said building to substantially equalize.
2. The device of claim 1, further including an end cap (205) disposed at the exterior end of the elongated member (202).
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the end cap (205) is connected to the elongated member (202) by a friction fit.
4. The device of claim 1, further including an end cap (205) disposed at the interior end of the elongated member (202), wherein the rupture disc (208) is disposed within the end cap (205).
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure equalization device (200) is installed in a wall (101) of a building.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member (202) is at least 6 inches long.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member (202) has an outer diameter of at least one-half inch.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting flange (204) arranged and designed for mounting the pressure equalization device (200) to a wall of a building.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the mounting flange (204) is an integrally formed component of the elongated member (202).
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member (202) is made substantially of a polymer material.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc (208) is replaced with a rupture wall (208).
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc (208) is disposed at or near an end of the elongated member (202).
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc (208) is disposed within the elongated member (202).
14. A pressure equalization device (200) comprising:
- an elongated member (202) arranged and designed to extend between an exterior and an interior of a building, said member having an exterior end and an interior end;
- at least one mounting flange (204) affixed to the elongated member (202), wherein the mounting flange (204) is arranged and designed for mounting the pressure equalization device (200) to a wall of a building;
- at least one end cap (205) arranged and designed to be coupled to an end of the elongated member (202); and,
- at least one rupture wall (208) disposed at the distal end of the end cap (205),
- wherein the rupture wall (208) is designed to rupture when an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the building exceeds a predetermined air pressure differential, thereby allowing the exterior and interior air pressures of the building to substantially equalize.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the end cap (205) attaches to the mounting flange (204) by a lip (209) on the end cap (205) that is configured to engage the mounting flange (204).
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 10, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 17, 2015
Inventor: Kurt Ploeger (Beaumont, TX)
Application Number: 14/735,918