INTEGRATED DUCT ASSEMBLY APPARATUS AND METHOD
An integrated duct assembly and method of using the same. A unitary integrated duct assembly comprises a louver and plenum box integrated with angular blades and weep holes. The unitary integrated duct assembly further comprises the plenum box comprising a front, a rear, and a base. The base is angled such that it slants downward from the rear to the front, wherein the plenum box is physically coupled at the front to the louver.
The present invention relates generally to ventilation systems and methods and more specifically to ventilation systems and methods that utilize integrated duct assemblies.
Adequate ventilation is necessary for the comfort and safety of building occupants. Ventilation involves air exchange between interior and exterior of a building as well as air circulation within the building. It is a crucial factor and is subject to an important minimum legal requirement. Methods for ventilating a building may be divided into mechanical/forced and natural types.
Many mechanical type systems use some form of direct venting that provide direct access between the inside and the exterior of a building. While such ventilation systems facilitate air exchange, rodents or other pests can get past or through them into the building structure. Such ventilation systems also suffer from penetration of moisture into the building structure.
Moisture penetration is another issue associated with mechanical type systems. Such ventilation systems can allow moisture into building causing structural damage as well as mold, mildew or other such hazardous health conditions. In addition, such ventilation systems often require more space than is available in the exterior wall of a building structure.
It is within the aforementioned context that a need for the present invention has arisen. Thus, there is a need to address one or more of the foregoing disadvantages of conventional systems and methods, and the present invention meets this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONVarious aspects of an integrated duct assembly can be found in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
In a first embodiment, a unitary integrated duct assembly includes a louver and a plurality of weep holes. The plurality of weep holes is preferably located at a bottom position of the louver. The louver also includes one or more blades from a bottom of the louver to a top of the louver. Each blade is spaced equally spaced apart and angled downward.
The unitary integrated duct assembly further includes a plenum box having a front, a rear, and a base. The base is angled such that it slants downward from the rear to the front, wherein the plenum box is physically coupled at the front to the louver. Air flows from an external environment to an internal environment through the louver. Moisture is removed from the internal environment to the external environment through the weep holes of the plenum box.
An advantage of the unitary integrated duct assembly of the present invention is that it is easily installed as a singular unit into congested and size limited exterior walls of a building structure. The unitary integrated duct assembly also includes a weather tight seal with the building structure. The weather tight seal is enabled by application of a self-adhering membrane package to the duct assembly.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
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Louver 101 is itself comprised of rectangular or square-shaped frame 102 that engages a plurality of blades 104 extending from one side of the frame to the other along its front face. Each blade of the plurality of blades 104 is positioned with a downward angle such that air can pass through them without debris directly entering the building past the blades 104.
Blades 104 are also spaced at a distance to reduce external moisture from entering plenum box 105, and to allow for ventilation. Although not shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that louver 101 may be any shape or configuration consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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Unitary integrated duct apparatus 100 further provides improvements over conventional systems as a result of being a singular assembly. Conventional systems can require adaptation of an existing plenum box in order to attach a louver.
According to one embodiment, unitary integrated duct apparatus 100 is two inches deep and can fit into an exterior wall with water tight application. The unitary integrated duct assembly of the present invention overcomes disadvantages faced by prior systems, including ineffective water tight seals. Such disadvantages are related to small sized louvers required due to space constraints and exterior wall thickness. In another embodiment, the unitary integrated duct assembly combines the space efficiency of smaller systems with the performance of larger systems.
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As described with respect to
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Although the plenum is box-shaped, one skilled in the art will realize that plenum box 105 may have other configurations, shapes, molds, etc. so long as such adaptations are consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention.
According to one embodiment, the described components of unitary integrated duct apparatus 100 are manufactured using 26 gauge galvanized steel, and all seams are lapped and sealed with polyurethane sealant. Lapping and sealing of all seams creates a water tight seal to reduce moisture from being introduced into the building interior.
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According to one embodiment, blade 104 can be constructed from a single piece of steel (e.g., 26 gauge galvanized steel). Lower blade face 401 is 0.5 inches long, middle blade face 402 is 1.458 inches in length, and upper blade face 405 is 0.5 inches long. First elbow 405 has an angle 406 of 143 degrees. Second elbow 404 has an angle 407 of 143 degrees. As can be seen from
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Side piece 508 is carefully adhered to vent flange 510. Side piece 508 is positioned such that it extends 6″ to the right of side edge 503 (not shown), 6″ above top edge 502 (not shown), and 6″ below bottom edge 505 (not shown).
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As such, unitary integrated duct apparatus 100 (not shown in
While the above is a complete description of exemplary specific embodiments of the invention, additional embodiments are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
Claims
1. A unitary integrated duct assembly, comprising:
- a louver comprising a plurality of blades from a bottom of the louver to a top of the louver, the plurality of blades spaced equally apart and angled downward;
- the louver further comprising a plurality of weep holes at the bottom; and
- a plenum box comprising a front, a rear, and a base, wherein the base is angled such that it slants downward from the rear to the front, wherein the plenum box is coupled at the front to the louver;
- wherein air flows from an external environment to an internal environment through the louver; and
- wherein moisture is removed from the internal environment to the external environment through the weep holes of the plenum box.
2. The unitary integrated duct assembly of claim 1, wherein the unitary integrated duct assembly is installable as a singular unit.
3. The unitary integrated duct assembly of claim 2, wherein the unitary integrated duct assembly is installed using a self-adhering sheet membrane.
4. The unitary integrated duct assembly of claim 1, further comprising a depth of two inches.
5. The unitary integrated duct assembly of claim 1, wherein the louver, blades, and plenum box are manufactured using galvanized steel.
6. The unitary integrated duct assembly of claim 1, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades has a “Z” like shape.
7. The unitary integrated duct assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mesh screen positioned between each blade of the plurality of blades to prevent passage of pests from the external environment to the internal environment.
8. A method comprising:
- providing a louver comprising a plurality of blades from a bottom of the louver to a top of the louver, the plurality of blades spaced equally apart and angled downward;
- the louver further comprising a plurality of weep holes at the bottom; and
- providing a plenum box comprising a front, a rear, and a base, wherein the base is angled such that it slants downward from the rear to the front, wherein the plenum box is coupled at the front to the louver;
- wherein air flows from an external environment to an internal environment through the louver; and
- using the weep holes to remove moisture from the internal environment to the external environment of the plenum box.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the louver and plenum are installable as a singular unit.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the louver and plenum are installed using a self-adhering sheet membrane.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the louver and plenum have a depth of two inches when installed.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the louver, blades, and plenum box are comprised of steel.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein each blade of the plurality of blades has a “Z” like shape.
14. The method of claim 8 further comprising using a mesh screen positioned between each blade of the plurality of blades to prevent passage of pests from the external environment to the internal environment.
15. An installable kit comprising:
- a louver comprising a plurality of blades from a bottom of the louver to a top of the louver, the plurality of blades spaced equally apart and angled downward;
- the louver further comprising a plurality of weep holes at the bottom; and
- a plenum box comprising a front, a rear, and a base, wherein the base is angled such that it slants downward from the rear to the front, wherein the plenum box is coupled at the front to the louver;
- wherein air flows from an external environment to an internal environment through the louver; and
- wherein moisture is removed from the internal environment to the external environment through the weep holes of the plenum box, wherein the lover and plenum are installable as a singular unit.
Type: Application
Filed: May 21, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 24, 2016
Inventors: Brandon Murray (Rio Vista, CA), Bart Murray (Rio Vista, CA)
Application Number: 14/718,089