DEVICES AND METHODS TO PROVIDE AIR CIRCULATION SPACE PROXIMATE TO INSULATION MATERIAL
Devices and associated methods are provided for improving ventilation of insulation material and building construction and renovation. Specifically, the present disclosure includes devices and system(s) to achieve the ventilation of exterior walls and roofs. Components of the system(s) consider shut-down of the ventilation process when it is not necessary, such as in winter, and in the event of fire, where the prevention of vertical and horizontal fire spread is desired.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,132, filed May 26, 2010, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/649,946, filed Dec. 30, 2009 and issued Sep. 7, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,868, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/139,442, filed Jun. 13, 2008 and issued Feb. 12, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,051, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/203,354, filed Aug. 12, 2005 and issued Dec. 2, 2008 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,189, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/634,823, filed Dec. 9, 2004.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,132, filed May 26, 2010, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/649,946, filed Dec. 30, 2009 and issued Sep. 7, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,868, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/139,442, filed Jun. 13, 2008 and issued on Feb. 12, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,051, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/943,692, filed Jun. 13, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/035,360, filed Mar. 10, 2008.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,132, filed May 26, 2010, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/181,125, filed May 27, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/321,130, filed Apr. 5, 2010.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/399,768, filed Mar. 6, 2009, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/348,181, filed Feb. 6, 2006 and issued on Mar. 17, 2009 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,534, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/650,203, filed Feb. 4, 2005.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/819,557, filed Jun. 21, 2010 and issued on Sep. 6, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,903, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to International Application No. PCT/US2009/038056, filed Mar. 24, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/039,429, filed Mar. 26, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/054,805, filed May 20, 2008.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/575,439, filed Oct. 7, 2009 and issued on Aug. 2, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,650, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/103,613, filed Oct. 8, 2008.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/582,748, filed Oct. 21, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/107,337, filed Oct. 21, 2008.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,948, filed Jun. 25, 2010.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,776, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,948, filed Jun. 25, 2010.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/723,185, filed Mar. 12, 2010 and issued on Sep. 6, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,151, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/159,776, filed Mar. 12, 2009.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/749,358, filed Mar. 29, 2010, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/164,424, filed Mar. 29, 2009.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,866, filed Oct. 2, 2012, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/101,334, filed May 5, 2011, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/345,144, filed May 16, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/332,756, filed May 8, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/332,141, filed May 6, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/390,915, filed Oct. 7, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/412,958, filed Nov. 12, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/445,631, filed Feb. 23, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/418,456, filed Dec. 1, 2010.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/023,429, filed Sep. 10, 2013, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/699,253, filed Sep. 10, 2012, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/734,966, filed Dec. 8, 2012, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/748,533, filed Jan. 3, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/751,867, filed Jan. 12, 2013.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn is a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/317,904, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/876,219, filed Sep. 10, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/888,795, filed Oct. 9, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/930,937, filed Jan. 23, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/930,944, filed Jan. 23, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/930,954, filed Jan. 24, 2014.
This patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to Ser. No. 16/521,246, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/673,651, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,749, filed May 18, 2016, which in turn is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/731,103, filed Jun. 4, 2015, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/023,218, filed Jul. 11, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/035,099, filed Aug. 8, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/112,157, filed Feb. 4, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/118,881, filed Feb. 9, 2015.
This patent application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/317,271, filed Mar. 24, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/310,383, filed Mar. 4, 2010.
The disclosure of each and every patent application referenced herein and above is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any purpose whatsoever.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND Field of the DisclosureThe present Disclosure Relates primarily to devices and system components for maintaining air circulation space proximate to thermal or other building insulation in order to facilitate the expulsion of heat and moisture from the insulation, such as in exterior walls and insulated roofs.
Description of Related ArtThermal insulation is required in buildings to provide a barrier in the exterior envelope construction to the transfer of thermal energy from outside the envelope into the structure as in summer where mechanical energy is used to remove heat from inside the building envelope and in cold weather periods to reduce the heat energy loss from inside the building outward.
As the Governments of nations around the world increase the required resistance to prevent this transfer with periodic increases in the required thermal resistance of building envelope construction, other factors are also increased which must be mitigated. One of these is an ever-increasing need for the ventilation of framed, insulated spaces. Up to the present day, there has been little or no effort by the insulating industry to ventilate insulated, framed spaces.
Roof construction requires ventilation of super-heated air under roof sheathing to prevent deterioration of structures. This ventilation is provided for by the maintaining of an air space over thermal insulation. However, with ever-increasing thicker roof insulation required, and dimensional lumber having a nominal maximum depth of 12 inches, that space is impossible to maintain without a ventilating device to maintain a consistent air passage. The Insulation Industry has marketed a device for the last three decades that is designed to ventilate the roof below the roof sheathing, but by its nature excludes the fibrous insulation from the ventilation process.
Additionally, there has been no serious attempt to ventilate the thermal insulation un exterior framed walls. Fibrous building envelope insulating materials are dry when installed. They are rated for thermal resistance when they are dry, at perhaps 4% moisture content. From the moment the factory packaging is opened for the installation into framed wall cavities, they begin to absorb moisture with the resulting decrease in the thermal resistance rating—“R”. It is believed by Applicant that most thermal insulation in tight buildings with no water influx problems is generally deteriorated to about half of its original R value after only a year or two in most climates, and that there is less deterioration in dry climes and greater deterioration in humid areas such as in the southeastern U.S. and along coastal shores and near bodies of water. Applicant further believes that this is because the absorbent fibrous insulation assumes some of the ambient moisture prevalent in its locale. Other factors influence the amount of acquired moisture a building structure and its thermal insulation absorbs. The kind of heating system influences the moisture, as well as the habits of a building's occupants, such as cooking involving unusual amounts of boiling water, hot, steamy showers and the frequency and number of occupants doing same. In addition to the aforementioned, leaks permitting water infiltration through the outer skin of the structure into the building frame and insulation such as due to roof and flashing leaks, poorly installed doors, windows, and building wrap and dried and cracked caulking and siding is not uncommon. Additionally, most structures are framed in wood, a renewable material. Out of necessity and because of exorbitant energy costs to kiln dry lumber, most framing is built from green lumber of species which are fast-growing and including significant moisture. The speed which most buildings are built at only allow weeks of drying time where the green lumber is nailed in place and allowed to lose some of its internal moisture instead of, ideally, six months or more in the view of Applicant. The frames are enclosed and insulated and then sealed with wall board. This wet wood then expels its extra moisture directly into the adjacent insulation providing a “jump-start” to a life of deterioration of the “R” value of the insulation.
This retention of moisture not only results in a major consumption of fossil fuels, depleting resources and potentially adding to such climatic issues such as global warming, but adds to the cost of owning, heating and cooling structures. In more extreme examples, mold supported by excessive moisture can cause respiratory distress and even death due to toxins, for example, by created by fungus growing on the mold.
While roof insulation is not currently directly ventilated, because of its much higher ambient operating temperatures, it probably does expel some acquired moisture because some of the moisture is forced from roof framing cavities as steam under pressure. No such ventilation exists for wall assemblies and ambient temperatures are lower in walls, likely resulting in little or no expulsion of accumulated water as steam. It is in exterior walls where moisture levels are greatest, particularly in the lower portions of walls. Moreover, the present use of baffles encourages horizontal fire spread as unrestricted vents in roof soffits provide fresh air that may feed fire spread in roofs. Currently, no industry attempts have been made to ventilate exterior walls.
SUMMARY OF ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure includes devices and system(s) to achieve the ventilation of exterior walls and roofs. Components of the system(s) consider shut-down of the ventilation process when it is not necessary, such as in winter, and in the event of fire, where the prevention of vertical and horizontal fire spread is desired. The present disclosure provides for control of air flow in the event of fire, among other things.
In one embodiment, a method of retrofitting a building structure is provided, including removing external sheathing from a plurality of vertically-oriented studs forming an external wall of a building, applying extension strips along the length of an outwardly-facing surface of each stud, and applying sheathing to the extension strips. If desired, the method can further include applying a spacer device to an inner surface of the sheathing between adjacent studs having a body that permits moisture to therethrough, and disposing insulation material proximate the spacer device, wherein the spacer device defines a vertically-oriented ventilation channel between the building sheathing and the insulation material, wherein the spacer body permits moisture to be passed from the insulation material to the ventilation channel.
In accordance with a further aspect, the method can include applying cross bracing to the studs and/or the extension strips. The method can also include constructing a horizontally-oriented air plenum proximate a lower portion of the building in fluid communication with a plurality of vertically-oriented ventilation channels disposed between the building sheathing and insulation material. The plenum is equal to or shorter than the horizontal length of the building where the plenum is located. Preferably, the plenum is less than about twenty feet long, and is located proximate a floor platform of the building. The method can also include disposing an air intake vent in fluid communication with the plenum. Preferably, the air intake vent can be selectively closed and opened. At least some of the studs are made from metal and/or wood. If desired, the method can further include disposing an active fire stop device between adjacent studs to permit vertical airflow in the space defined by the spacer device when the fire stop is in an open condition, and that prohibits vertical airflow when the fire stop is an a closed condition.
In accordance with another aspect, a method of retrofitting a building structure is provided, including removing external sheathing from a plurality of rafters forming a roof surface of a building, applying extension strips along the length of an outwardly-facing surface of each rafter, and applying sheathing to the extension strips. If desired, the method can further include applying a spacer device to an inner surface of the sheathing between adjacent rafters having a body that permits moisture to therethrough, and disposing insulation material proximate the spacer device, wherein the spacer device defines a ventilation channel parallel to the rafters between the building sheathing and the insulation material, wherein the spacer body permits moisture to be passed from the insulation material to the ventilation channel. In accordance with a further aspect, at least some of the rafters can be made from metal and/or wood.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the methods and systems of the disclosed embodiments. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain principles of the disclosed embodiments.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The method and corresponding steps of the disclosed embodiments will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.
For purposes of illustration, and not limitation,
A plurality of smoke and (or) fire detectors 204 can be provided. The solenoid intake valves are preferably equipped with diagnostic lights to allow the visual inspection of the system. Two LED elements, such as red and green, can be used. Accordingly, if the green light glows when the intake shutters are supposed to be open, it will be apparent that the shutter is working properly. If the shutter is supposed to be closed, such as in cold weather, or when a fire alarm test is being performed, the observer will note proper operation. If neither light is on, or not in the right color further investigation will be apparent to the occupant of the structure.
For purposes of further illustration, and not limitation,
Filler strips 207 may be of cut-down dimensional lumber or pre-formed strips made from composites such as “Homasote” material, a material made from recycled paper fibers by the Homasote Company (West Trenton, N.J.). At the plenum, a horizontal bottom closure of the same strips contain the solenoid controlled intake shutters, 202 which are ideally located near the center of each plenum space. Under typical present building requirements, horizontal spaces must be fire stopped every 20 linear feet. It therefore follows that the air intake plenums will have a suitable similar length. Active fire stops 211 are provided, located at floor and plate lines in order to prevent vertical fire spread. These fire stops 211 preferably incorporate an intumescent material that expands at temperatures of 300 degrees F., which can be expected to be reached if fire enters the framed space. The air gaps of the fire stops are thus closed preventing or mitigating the vertical spread of fire. In the event that the smoke or fire detection system is activated, or ambient exterior temperatures drop below a certain temperature, the solenoid-controlled intake shutters 202 are adapted to close to prevent the entrance of outside air into wall cavities.
For purposes of further illustration, and not limitation,
As illustrated, the ventilation device 215 maintains a ventilation space below the roof sheathing allowing superheated air to be ventilated out to a ventilation attic or roof vent system and also prove positive ventilation of heat and moisture from the roof insulation. Note that the roof soffit 216 is not ventilated as is presently done. In one embodiment, the roof eave assembly is caulked tight to ensure a positive flow up through the wall cavities and over the roof insulation and improves the present condition wherein horizontal fire spread is facilitated because of the use of unrestricted soffit vents.
For purposes of further illustration, and not limitation,
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It will be further appreciated that the structures of
The methods and systems of the present invention, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for insulation and associated systems with superior properties to those of the prior art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the devices and methods of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the subject disclosure and equivalents.
Claims
1. A method of building a structure, comprising:
- a) erecting a frame from at least one of studs and rafters, and sheathing the frame with sheathing, wherein at least one of the studs, rafters and sheathing is made at least in part from a wood product;
- b) installing a spacer device between the portion of the frame and sheathing made at least in part form a wood product to at least partially cover said portion of the frame and sheathing made at least in part form a wood product;
- c) spraying foam insulation over the spacer device and said portion of the frame and sheathing made at least in part from a wood product to define a ventilation channel between the spacer device and said portion of the frame and sheathing made at least in part from a wood product to permit trapped moisture of wet lumber to be transported to the atmosphere.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacer device is installed in a wall cavity to define an air space between the spacer device and a portion of the structure defining the wall cavity to permit trapped moisture of wet lumber to be transported to the atmosphere.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a wicking pad between a stud face or rafter face and adjacent sheathing to cause moisture to wick away from the stud face, rafter face or adjacent sheathing wet lumber and into the ventilation channel.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacer device maintains a separation of about one quarter of an inch between the insulation and said portion of the frame and sheathing made at least in part from a wood product.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacer device has spacing struts that are spaced apart in a spaced apart pattern on in a plane of the ventilation device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacer device includes a solid backing.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising fastening the spacer device to wood framing using at least one fastener in a designated attachment area.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacer device is made from a sheet of material having lines of weakness to permit the spacer to fold to permit the spacer device to sit squarely in corners of a framing bay prior to being sprayed with insulation.
9. A method of constructing a building comprising:
- a) constructing a wall structure from a plurality of vertically-oriented studs to form an external wall of the building;
- b) applying sheathing to an outer surface of the studs;
- c) applying an elongate spacer device to an inner surface of the sheathing in a space defined by adjacent studs, the spacer device having a body that permits moisture to pass therethrough; and
- b) disposing insulation material proximate the spacer device, wherein the spacer device defines a vertically-oriented ventilation channel between the building sheathing and the insulation material, wherein the spacer body permits moisture to be passed from the insulation material through the body of the spacer device into the ventilation channel.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the spacer device is defined by an openwork of polymeric fibers.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the spacer device further includes a plurality of struts oriented obliquely with respect to the body, wherein the struts help the vertically-oriented ventilation channel between the building sheathing and the insulation material.
12. A method of constructing a building structure comprising:
- a) forming a portion of a building structure from a plurality of studs or rafters;
- b) applying sheathing to an outer surface of the studs or rafters;
- c) applying a spacer layer to an inner surface of at least one of the sheathing, the studs, and the rafters on the inner surface of a framing cavity defined by the sheathing and adjacent studs or rafters, the spacer layer having a body that permits moisture to pass therethrough; and
- d) spraying foam insulation over the spacer device, sheathing and the studs or rafters, wherein the spacer layer defines at least one ventilation channel between the spray foam insulation material and the sheathing, studs or rafters to permit moisture to be passed from the sheathing, studs or rafters into the at least one ventilation channel to permit the moisture to be evacuated from the building structure.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the spacer device is defined by an openwork of polymeric fibers.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the spacer device further includes a plurality of struts oriented obliquely with respect to the body, wherein the struts help define the ventilation channel.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 18, 2020
Publication Date: Mar 11, 2021
Inventor: Robert W. Pollack (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 16/952,020