SMART ATTIC VENTILATION SYSTEM, AND SENSOR MODULE THEREFOR

Abstract

Described are various embodiments of a smart attic ventilation system, and sensor module therefor. Also described are various embodiments of an effective energy storage and delivery mechanism for such systems, for example, when predominantly powered from an integrated solar energy capturing component such as a solar panel, for continuous operation in dark environmental conditions such as at night and/or on cloudy days.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/210,195 filed Jun. 15, 2023, which claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 3,186,055 filed Jan. 6, 2023, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 3,247,027 filed Jul. 5, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an attic ventilation system, and, in particular, to a smart attic ventilation system, and sensor module therefor.

BACKGROUND

Ventilation systems for attics and roofs are commonplace to both bring air into, and allow air to escape from, the attic of a building. For example, various passive and active ventilation systems exist for commercial and residential buildings alike that permit excess heat, for example built up during warm season months, to exhaust from the attic while allowing fresh air to enter and circulate. Active vents may include line or solar powered vents that can be actively powered to exhaust air from the attic and promote healthy airflow.

The following provides some examples of known roof ventilation systems.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0260266 teaches a Roof Vent and Roof Ventilation System with diverters that prevent or reduce the likelihood that water or other debris can be driven through the vent by wind.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0099317 teaches a Hybrid Roof Vent having an air passageway that defines an air to flow path between the interior and the exterior of a building.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0270475 teaches an Attic Ventilation System. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0245807 teaches a Solar Powered Roof Ventilation System.

Automated systems are also known.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,970,990 teaches Systems and Methods for Monitoring Building Health that may include various types of sensors, for example, in roofing materials, to transmit an alert or remedial actions as required.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,105,524 teaches an Automatic Roof Ventilation System that includes a vent, a fan, a solar panel, a battery and a controller configured to drive the fan based on at least one environmental parameter.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0263192 teaches an Attic Ventilation System for venting an attic where a central controller is connected to at least one temperature detector located inside the attic, at least one other temperature detector located outside of the attic, at least one attic vent clamp which is located in the roof to permit airflow through the roof when open to facilitate ventilation of the attic space, and at least one attic exhaust fan located within the attic.

Other references discussing ventilation systems having associated sensors include, U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,609,015, 11,175,056, 11,761,650, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010/0304660, 2010/0330898, 2011/0217194, 2011/0263192, 2012/0302153, 2014/0113542, 2016/0278517, 2020/0072485, and International Application Publication No. WO 2022/211818.

This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art or forms part of the general common knowledge in the relevant art.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the general inventive concept(s) described herein to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is not intended to restrict key or critical elements of embodiments of the disclosure or to delineate their scope beyond that which is explicitly or implicitly described by the following description and claims.

A need exists for a smart attic ventilation system, and sensor module therefor, that overcome some of the drawbacks of known techniques, or at least, provide a useful alternative thereto.

A need also exists for an effective energy storage and delivery mechanism for such systems, for example, when predominantly powered from an integrated solar energy capturing component such as a solar panel, for continuous operation in dark environmental conditions such as a night and/or on cloudy days.

Some aspects of this disclosure provide examples of such systems and sensor modules, in accordance with some embodiments.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a ventilation system to draw airflow from a building interior to an exterior space as a function of an environmental condition of the building interior, comprising: a solar power source; a ventilation fan operatively mounted within a ventilation channel formed between the building interior and the exterior space, wherein operation of said ventilation fan is powered from said solar power source; an environmental sensor operated via a physical connector to said solar power source channeled along said ventilation channel to suspend said environmental sensor below said ventilation fan within the building interior to sense the environmental condition therein; wherein said ventilation fan is powered at least in part as a function the environmental condition as sensed by said environmental sensor suspended therebelow.

In one embodiment, the solar power source comprises a solar panel integrated within an external ventilation fan outer housing to capture solar power from solar exposure in the exterior space, and wherein the captured solar power is relayed via said physical connector along said ventilation channel to power operation of said environmental sensor.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a control unit, and wherein said solar power source powers said control unit to control powered operation of said ventilation fan as a function of the environmental condition as sensed via said environmental sensor.

In one embodiment, the environmental sensor is housed within said control unit.

In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a rechargeable power source, wherein said solar power source recharges said rechargeable power source when solar power from said solar power source is available, whereas said rechargeable power source powers said ventilation fan, as controlled via said control unit, when solar power from said solar power source is limited.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable power source comprises a supercapacitor circuit.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable power source further comprises a DC/DC current limiter as input between said solar power source and said supercapacitor circuit.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable power source further comprises a DC/DC current boost circuit as output between said supercapacitor circuit and a control circuitry of said control unit.

In one embodiment, the DC/DC current boost circuit comprises a buck boost circuit.

In one embodiment, the DC/DC current limiter comprises a buck limiter circuit.

In one embodiment, the supercapacitor circuit comprises a lithium-ion supercapacitor circuit.

In one embodiment, the environmental sensor hangs freely within the building interior below said ventilation fan.

In one embodiment, the environmental sensor hangs freely via a cable physically connecting said physical connector.

In one embodiment, the environmental sensor is fixedly connected via said physical connector to be suspended below said ventilation fan.

In one embodiment, the physical connector lines an outer vent channel wall so not to interfere with operation of said ventilation fan.

In one embodiment, the physical connector comprises a guide that lines said outer vent channel in guiding said connector therealong from a solar power source connector to the building interior.

In one embodiment, the physical connector further comprises a connector terminal opposite said solar power source connector, and a cable physically connectable to said connector terminal at one end, and connecting at an opposite end thereof to said environmental sensor.

In one embodiment, the ventilation system further comprises a communication module operatively coupled to said environmental sensor to communicate data representative of the environmental condition to a remote communication device, wherein said communication module is further operated via said physical connector.

In one embodiment, the communication module comprises a Bluetooth™ module powered via said physical connector to said solar power source.

In one embodiment, the environmental sensor comprises multiple environmental sensors each physically connected via said physical connector.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a ventilation system to draw airflow from a building interior to an exterior space, comprising: a solar power source; a ventilation fan operatively mounted within a ventilation channel formed between the building interior and the exterior space; a control unit operatively disposed between said solar power source and said ventilation fan to control a powering of said ventilation fan, said control unit comprising a supercapacitor circuit charged by said solar power source and controllably discharged to power said ventilation fan when solar power from said solar power source is limited.

In one embodiment, the supercapacitor circuit comprises a DC/DC current limiter at an input thereof from said solar power source.

In one embodiment, the supercapacitor circuit further comprises a DC/DC current boost circuit as output to control circuity of said control unit.

In one embodiment, the DC/DC current boost circuit comprises a buck boost circuit.

In one embodiment, the DC/DC current limiter comprises a buck limiter circuit.

In one embodiment, the supercapacitor circuit comprises a lithium-ion supercapacitor circuit.

In one embodiment, the control unit further comprises a communication module operatively coupled to an environmental sensor to communicate environmental to a remote communication device.

In one embodiment, the communication module comprises a Bluetooth™ module.

Other aspects, features and/or advantages will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Several embodiments of the present disclosure will be provided, by way of examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof vent having a solar panel and operably installed on a roof to provide active exhaust therethrough, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an assembly of the roof vent of FIG. 1, showing a wire guide assembly thereof for operatively connecting a sensor module thereto, in accordance with on embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the roof vent of FIG. 1, once assembled in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the roof vent of FIG. 1, once assembled in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, again showing disposition of a wire guide assembly thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the roof vent of FIG. 1, once assembled in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a lower flange portion of the roof vent of FIG. 2, whereas FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a retention nub for engaging and retaining a top housing of the vent when mounted thereon, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a top housing of the vent of FIG. 1, with its solar panel removed, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the top housing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the top housing of FIG. 7, taken along line 9-9 thereof;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a control module configured to hang from a roof vent, for example via operative connection to a wire guide assembly thereof as shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the control module of FIG. 10, whereas FIG. 12 shows a cross section of the control module of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12 thereof;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a roof vent, such as that shown in FIG. 1, comprising a control module fixedly connected via a wire guide thereof to fixedly hand from an underside thereof, in accordance with an alternate embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are respective bottom perspective views of alternate control modules fixedly mountable to an underside of a roof vent via a wire guide thereof, in accordance with other embodiments, via fasteners (A) or a snap-on mechanism (B), respectively;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of high-level inputs/outputs of a control module of a smart attic ventilation system, in accordance with one embodiment comprising, in one example, a roof vent as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of illustrative components, and their interconnections, of a smart attic ventilation system, such as that illustrated in FIG. 15, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an energy management module of the control module of FIG. 16, comprising a two-stage power regulation circuit, in accordance with one embodiment, showing two options for a second-stage power regulation portion thereof;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary photovoltaic voltage (PV) input circuit for the energy management module of FIG. 17, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary first-stage power regulation circuit for the energy management module of FIG. 17, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary second-stage power regulation circuit for the energy management module of FIG. 17, comprising voltage level supervision, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary second-stage power regulation circuit of the energy management module of FIG. 17, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary PV voltage monitor circuit of the energy management module of FIG. 17, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary voltage monitoring circuit of the second-stage power regulation circuit of FIG. 20, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ventilation fan motor tachometer circuit of the control module of FIG. 16, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ventilation fan motor pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit of the control module of FIG. 16, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of exemplary circuit input/ouput connections of the control module of FIG. 16, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary inter-integrated circuit (I2C) reset circuit of the control module of FIG. 16, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary temperature and humidity sensor circuit of the control module of FIG. 16, in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) circuit of the control module of FIG. 16, in accordance with one embodiment.

Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating understanding of the various presently disclosed embodiments. Also, common, but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations and aspects of the specification will be described with reference to details discussed below. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the specification and are not to be construed as limiting the specification. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various implementations of the present specification. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described, in order to provide a concise discussion of implementations of the present specification.

Various apparatuses and processes will be described below to provide examples of implementations of the system disclosed herein. No implementation described below limits any claimed implementation and any claimed implementations may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed implementations are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or processes described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an implementation of any claimed subject matter.

Furthermore, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the implementations described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts that the implementations described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the implementations described herein.

In this specification, elements may be described as “configured to” perform one or more functions or “configured for” such functions. In general, an element that is configured to perform or configured for performing a function is enabled to perform the function, or is suitable for performing the function, or is adapted to perform the function, or is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing the function.

It is understood that for the purpose of this specification, language of “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “one or more of X, Y and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, YZ, ZZ, and the like). Similar logic may be applied for two or more items in any occurrence of “at least one . . . ” and “one or more . . . ” language.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one of the embodiments” or “in at least one of the various embodiments” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” or “in some embodiments” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the innovations disclosed herein.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

The term “comprising” as used herein will be understood to mean that the list following is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any other additional suitable items, for example one or more further feature(s), component(s) and/or element(s) as appropriate.

The systems and methods described herein provide, in accordance with different embodiments, different examples of an attic ventilation system, a roof vent therefor, and method of installation and servicing thereof. As will be described in greater detail below, an attic ventilation system will generally include a roof vent to be installed on a roof so to provide passive and/or active ventilation through the roof so to enhance air circulation in an underlying attic, for example, to exhaust or actively manage excess attic heat buildup or like temperature control, dispense of or provide active management for ambient humidity or air water vapor content levels, and like environmental conditions in the attic, for example, relevant or relative to external ambient environmental conditions.

The systems described herein may also or alternatively provide, in accordance with different embodiments, different examples of a smart attic ventilation system, and control module therefor. In one such embodiment, the ventilation system comprises a sensor/control unit operatively connected to hang from and below a vent channel, and operable to communicate with and control a ventilation fan. As will be described in greater detail below, the attic ventilation system will generally include a roof vent to be installed on a roof so to provide active ventilation through the roof so to enhance air circulation in an underlying attic, for example, in response to environmental sensor readings, for instance, to exhaust or actively manage excess attic heat buildup or like temperature control, dispense of or provide active management for ambient humidity or air water vapor content levels, and like environmental conditions in the attic, for example, relevant or relative to external ambient environmental conditions.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary attic ventilation system 100 will now be described. In general, the ventilation system comprises a roof vent 102 operatively mounted over an aperture formed in a roof so to provide ventilation therethrough for an underlying attic. In this example, the roof 104 is shingled, and the roof vent comprises a lower flange portion 106 that can be secured under the shingles so to promote proper rain or water drainage to limit ingress of any water (or debris) from entering the attic through the formed aperture. In the illustrated example, the flange portion 106 is shown as being only partially covered by the surrounding shingles for illustrative purposes, only, and the person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that proper shingling and flashing techniques may be applied in the proper installation of this flange portion on a shingled roof to mitigate potential environmental issues, without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure. Naturally, some of the aspects of products and methods described herein may also be applied to different roof types and are thus not limited to the shingled roof example illustrated by FIG. 1.

In the illustrated example, and with added reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the roof vent 102 also comprises a top or upper housing assembly 108, generally forming a cap or like structure, securely mounted to the flange portion 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing 108 forms a powered unit comprising a solar panel 110 operatively mounted thereon to power active components of the roof vent 102, such as an active exhaust fan 112, as will be described in greater detail below. For example, the solar panel 110 can be bonded to an upper surface 156 (see FIG. 9) of the upper housing 108, and further secured using a solar panel trim 111 that can, in some examples, be snapped (e.g. see trim snap-in slots 155 of FIG. 9) and/or bonded (e.g. using a silicon adhesive/seal) in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the solar panel and trim sit substantially flush with upper housing edges.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the lower flange portion 106 comprises a substantially planar roof-mounting surface 114 and ventilation channel-forming portion 116 extending outwardly from the roof-mounting surface 114 to provide and thereby define and outer circumscribing vent channel wall, in this example, consisting of a substantially cylindrical outer vent channel wall 118. In this example, the roof-mounting surface 114 can be securely mounted to a roof structure using appropriate fasteners or the like through corresponding fastener apertures 120, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan.

In this example, the vent channel wall 118 has defined therein a series of substantially axially aligned circumferentially spaced-apart ventilation openings, in this example formed as exhaust slits 122 or apertures, to provide for the egress of exhaust air/gas from the ventilation channel. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different ventilation slit or aperture shapes, sizes and configurations may be considered in different embodiments, as can different ventilation channel shapes and sizes, without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 2, and 7 to 9, the top housing assembly 108 generally comprises a top housing 124 onto which the remaining operative components of the roof vent 102 can be operatively mounted. Illustratively, the top housing 124 defines a top surface portion externally upon which can be operatively mounted the solar panel 110, and that internally can be securely mounted to an outward extremity or apex of the vent channel 118. For example, fastener-receiving mounting channels 119, downwardly extending from an inner surface of the top housing 124, can be aligned and secured into corresponding mounting bores 121 formed in the top of the vent channel 118, such that corresponding fasteners and/or related hardware can be securely received therein from below to secure the top housing assembly 108.

The top housing 124 in this example also comprises an inwardly projecting exhaust guiding structure 126 that descends within the vent channel when the top housing assembly 108 is mounted thereto, as above, to redirect exhaust flowing therethrough to exhaust outwardly radially therefrom through the ventilation slits 122. The top housing 124 further comprises an outer lateral wall, in this example, forming an outwardly splaying square or rectangular outer squirt (see 128 of FIG. 2) that partially encases the ventilation channel so to minimize ingress of rain or debris within the ventilation channel in use while allowing for the ventilation of exhaust gases exiting the ventilation channel through the ventilation slits 122. In this example, the top housing skirt splays to form respective trapezoidal skirt walls, wherein a splaying of the skirt is more pronounced in directions toward the top and bottom of the roof, and less pronounced laterally. In other words, the trapezoidal side walls (see 128A of FIGS. 3 and 7) exhibit greater splayed angularity while forming a squarer surface angle with the top surface of the roof vent, whereas the top and lower trapezoidal side walls (see 128B of FIGS. 3 and 7) exhibit lesser splayed angularity while forming a more observable flaring surface angle relative to the top surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface is also rectangular so to exhibit a longer vertical dimension than lateral dimension when installed on the roof. Naturally, a similar design may include other top housing shapes and sizes, such as square, rounded, circular, or oblong, to name a few examples, or other shapes as may be deemed desirable or preferable. A set of optional reinforcement ribs 123 are also provided in this embodiment so to increase a structural integrity of the housing, though other structural reinforcement mechanisms may be considered, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, an exhaust fan assembly, generally comprising an exhaust fan 112 operated by an exhaust fan motor 132, is operatively mounted to ascend within the exhaust guiding structure 126, and thus be at least partially housed therein. In this particular example, the exhaust fan motor 132 is mounted recessed within the apex 130 of the guiding structure 126 and secured using a motor mounting plate 134 and corresponding fasteners that fasten into the apex to conveniently house the motor within the guiding structure. The exhaust fan 112 is operatively mounted (e.g. via a drive shaft 131) to hang below the motor mounting plate 134 (i.e. beyond the guiding structure apex) to draw, in operation, exhaust from the attic along the guiding structure and exit via the exhaust slits 122. For example, the exhaust fan can, in operation, hang toward the bottom of the outer vent channel wall 118, for example at a level around or slightly above the roof-mounting surface 114. In this configuration, the roof vent 102 can be pre-assembled for installation, with the exhaust fan 112 sitting recessed within the assembled structure.

In this particular example, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, the exhaust guiding structure 126 is shaped to promote or enhance a laminar exhaust flow whereby exhaust (e.g. warm air from the attic) is entrained by the exhaust fan to travel first substantially axially and progressively radially outward as it is guided laminarly by the exhaust structure to exit via the exhaust slits 122 and out from under the top housing 124. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the exhaust guiding structure 126 comprises an external upwardly and outwardly concave surface that promotes laminar airflow along its surface to redirect the exhaust from its initial predominantly axial direction as it is drawn by the exhaust fan, to a predominantly radial direction, all while internally housing the exhaust fan motor 132, for example, within an internal apex of its illustratively curved internal funnel shape. Illustratively, the exhaust guiding structure can thus, in some embodiments, take the form of a curved funnel disposed so to laminarly guide exhaust airflow along its outer surface (see illustrative exhaust flow arrows of FIG. 5).

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the roof vent assembly 102 further comprises a baffle ring, in this example consisting of two semi-circular ring members 135, that can be mounted to, or otherwise assembled or formed into the outer vent channel wall 118 to extend outwardly therefrom, for example at a level within the top housing outer wall 128 and below the exhaust slits 122, to prevent or reduce ingress of debris or water/moisture/snow/wind through the slits 122. For example, external wind gusts or airflow on the roof surface may entrain debris or moisture along and up the installed flange portion 106 and be obstructed by the baffle ring members 135 to reach and infiltrate the vent channel. This may be particularly useful in periods when the exhaust fan is off, for example, when active exhaust is deemed unnecessary or undesirable. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, different approaches to installing the baffle ring can be considered, such as a cooperating set of dimples, grooves, snaps, pressure fit or the like with or without adhesive/sealing silicon or like fastener/sealer. For example, see recessed lip 137 and retention nub 139 of FIG. 6A, shaped and disposed so to cooperatively engage the baffle ring member 135 in place.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the ventilation assembly 100 further comprises an integrated wire guide assembly 140 to guide control unit wiring 151, that can be used to hang or otherwise dangle the control unit 300 within the attic and guide signals acquired and/or output thereby to a control board or the like configured to control operation of the exhaust fan motor 132 and fan 112. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, a wire guide structure 144 of the wire guide assembly 140 is secured to internally line the outer vent channel wall 118 so not to interfere with operation of the exhaust fan 112 while allowing the control unit to hang freely within the attic to capture environmental or like data. In particular, the wire guide structure 144 comprises a pair of hooks 146 that align and hook into corresponding slits 122 of the vent channel, while the lower part of the guide comprises an L-shaped foot 148 that can be securely fastened to the flange portion at coupling structure 149. Accordingly, wiring 151 can be channeled behind the wire guide structure 144 to pass through an appropriately sized aperture formed in the foot 148 while bypassing the turning blades of the fan 112. In the illustrate embodiment, a wire guiding channel 150 is further formed within the sidewall of the vent channel to permit further recess of any such wiring. At the other end, wiring 151 can be operatively coupled to a junction box, for example see junction box cover 142 of FIG. 2 and corresponding box 152 of FIG. 8, to which may also be guided wiring from the solar panel connectors 153 (see FIG. 2) via panel wire guide structure 154 (see FIG. 7).

As illustrated by the described embodiments, the outer housing (i.e. powered outer unit) can be dismounted from the flange portion for servicing without having to dismount the installed flange portion from the roof. This may be particularly helpful where the flange portion is carefully mounted to the roof, for example, where the flange portion acts as waterproofing flashing in a shingled roof installation. Unlike known installations, the re-flashing, caulking and/or other weather-resisting installation steps can be omitted in the servicing of the herein-described embodiments. Furthermore, a serviced or new upper housing can be remounted to an installed flange portion with minimal effort.

In some embodiments, a new roof ventilation system can be installed as a single assembled unit, and only partially disassembled (i.e. dismounting the outer housing and internally assembled components from the flange portion) for servicing or component replacement(s). In other embodiments, the flange portion can be independently installed with appropriate caulking, shingling etc., with the upper housing and its components later mounted thereto.

In the illustrated embodiments, a powered upper housing unit can be removed by first dismounting the fan from its shaft from within the attic, disconnecting the wire cover, and removing a set of fasteners that engage the upper housing through a mounting ring formed at the apex of the vent channel. The powered upper housing can then be pulled up and out from above. To instal a new or serviced upper housing unit, the process is reversed whereby the unit is lowered into the vent channel until the upper housing rests on the apex mounting ring, through which a set of fasteners can be engaged to secure the upper housing in place; the fan is then mounted to its powered shaft, and wiring again secured by the wire guide (as needed). Other mounting, installation and/or servicing methods and techniques may also be considered within the scope of the present disclosure that may require more or less component disassembly and/or reassembly as the case may be, and that, without departing from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.

Returning to the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the roof vent 102 may form part of a smart attic ventilation system, such as that described further below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, for example, in which a control module 300 is provided to further improve operative results of the ventilation system. Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the control module 300, which may comprise, as further detailed below, one or more environmental sensors such as a temperature and/or humidity sensors, amongst others, may be operatively connected to the roof vent 102 via a corresponding connector 302 to the wire guide assembly 140 so to provide one or more smart control features for operation of the ventilation fan 112.

In general, the control module of the smart ventilation system will operate to control the draw of airflow from a building interior to an exterior space as a function of an environmental condition of the building interior. For example, power to the ventilation fan operatively mounted within the ventilation channel formed between the building interior and the exterior space can be controlled by one or more environmental sensors operatively connected to the ventilation system via the control unit. This may involve a continuous power cycle at variable speeds, and/or discontinuous power cycles in which the ventilation may be started and stopped depending on different present temperature, humidity or like environmental conditions, ranges and/or thresholds.

In the illustrated embodiments, the control module 300 is physically connected via a physical connector 302 channeled (e.g. via wire guide assembly 140) along the ventilation channel to suspend the environmental sensor(s) below the ventilation fan 112 within the building interior to sense the environmental condition(s) therein. Meanwhile, this physical connection also permits that control module 300 to be powered itself by the solar panel 110, and while controlling delivery of power harnessed via the solar panel 110 to power the ventilation fan 112. As will be detailed further below, an energy management module may be integrated within, or operatively coupled to, the control module so to manage and/or regulate energy storage and/or delivery to the ventilation fan 112.

With reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, an exemplary control unit 400 will now be described, in accordance with one embodiment. In this example, the control unit 400 is configured to hang freely below the ventilation channel via a wire or cable connector (now shown) that physically connects to a corresponding connector of the wire guide assembly 140. In this example, the generally cone-shaped control module comprises an upper housing 402 and lower housing 404 that can be physically assembled to house the control unit's various operative components. An elastomeric cable plug and nylon cable gland 406 in this example, provide a communication/power interface between the control module's inner components to the module's connecting cable. A printed circuit board 408 mounted within the control module housing operatively interconnects, in this example, circuitry/components for energy storage/management 410, environmental sensing (e.g. temperature and/or relative humidity sensor(s)) 412, and operative communication/control (e.g. via a wireless communication module such as Bluetooth™ or Low Energy Bluetooth™ (BLE) module) 414. The bottom housing also has defined therein a series of circumferentially distributed radially defined environmental sensing slots 416 for sampling an ambient environmental condition in the interior space, and a filter (e.g. foam or acoustic cloth filter) disposed internally between these slots 416 and the module's circuitry components.

In this embodiment, the environmental control module 400 can be operatively disposed to hang freely below the ventilation fan 112, without obstructing operation thereof, while operatively powering the module from solar panel 110, and control relaying of power therefrom to the fan 112, without recourse to an external power source, or other mounted hardware beyond the ventilation system itself. Accordingly, the self-contained smart ventilation system can be integrally installed and operated in isolation of any other componentry or installations. Furthermore, by operatively hanging the sensor module from its own power/control cable, surrounding roof structures can be circumvented, as needed, while allowing the module's sensor(s) to more accurately (and flexibly) sample an ambient environmental condition of the interior space.

With reference now to FIG. 13, a bottom perspective view of a roof vent is provided in which an alternate control module 500 is fixedly connected via a hanging arm 518 to the L-shaped foot 148 of the integrated wire guide assembly of the ventilation unit so to fixedly hang below the ventilation channel. Again, integrated environmental sensors can be operated to sense an environmental condition of the interior space (via sensor slots 516) to control operation of the ventilation fan (not shown) accordingly.

With reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, further alternate control modules 600 are illustrated, in this case fixedly connectable via a fastener foot mount 618A or snap-mount 618B, to provide a similar function. In these embodiments, however, the control module mounts along and within the vent channel, which reduces the likelihood of interference with any surrounding roof structures.

As will be described in greater detail below, by including a communication module within any of these control units, remote operative access to the ventilation system can be provided (e.g. Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) as can operational and environmental data shared wirelessly via a local communication network and/or to nearby appropriately communicatively enabled communication devices (e.g. paired wireless device, cellular phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, dedicated HVAC servicing device or portal, etc.).

In at least some of these embodiments, a solar power source can be disposed to capture solar power from solar exposure in the exterior space, while a physical connector guided via the ventilation channel can physically connect the solar power source to an interior control unit housing one or more environmental sensors, to power this control unit and/or to be controllably relayed thereby in modulating operation of the ventilation unit. By lining an outer vent channel wall, in some embodiments, the control unit connector is guided as to not to interfere with operation of said exhaust fan. As will be described in greater detail below, by integrating an energy management module into the control unit, excess solar energy may be temporarily stored and used later when solar conditions are not optimal, so to prolong effective operation of the ventilation system even at night, in clouding conditions, or when the solar unit is partially covered. These and other such considerations will be described in greater detail below.

Control Unit

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, and in accordance with some exemplary embodiments, a smart ventilation system, generally referred to using the numeral 700, will now be described. In the illustrated embodiments, the smart ventilation system 700 generally comprises a control unit 720, and power source, such as a solar power source 710, operable to provide electrical power to a ventilation (exhaust) fan 712. The control unit 720 in this example comprises a rechargeable energy management module 722, a sensor module 724, and a communication/control module 726. The power source 710 provides power to the rechargeable energy management module 722, which stores this power and subsequently provides power to the sensor module 724 and communication/control module 726; as the rechargeable energy management module 722 is able to store power, it is ensured that the sensor module 724 and communication/control module 726 will still be powered, at least temporarily, even if the power source 710 ceases to provide power to the control unit 720. The sensor module 724 is operable to sense, measure, or calculate various interior environmental properties, as will be discussed later. The communication module 726 is operable to communicate with, store data from, and control the exhaust fan 712, the rechargeable power module 722, and the sensor module 724, as will be discussed later (see for example illustrative BLE module connection circuitry of FIG. 26). For example, the control module 726 may receive as input an operational reading from the fan 712, such as a tachometer input 728 or the like (e.g. see illustrative fan motor tachometer circuity of FIG. 24), and provide an operational control output, such as output 730 (e.g. see illustrative pulse-width modulation fan motor control signal circuitry of FIG. 25), to the fan in response to various operational and environmental readings, for example. Various operational parameters, logic, and/or historical data can be stored and/or retrieved from a data storage device 732, such as flash memory, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), or like digital memory components (e.g. see illustrative EEPROM circuitry of FIG. 29).

As noted, the power source 710 may be comprised of power that is generally provided to the building (i.e.: the power that the building uses for other systems), or electrical power dedicated, or partially dedicated, to the system provided herein. For example, in FIG. 1, dedicated solar panel 110 may capture solar energy and convert it to electrical energy for use by the exhaust fan 712 and control unit 720. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, while a solar-powered system is described in the context of this illustrative embodiment, similar embodiments may be otherwise powered, such as a turbine to capture wind or tidal energy, a geothermal system to exploit thermal energy, a generator to combust fuel, a fuel cell to convert chemical energy, and so on. These and other such examples are thus considered to fall within the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.

Following from the previous examples, the control unit 720 may be attached to the outer vent channel walls 118 (FIG. 2) and extend into the building's interior in order for the embedded sensor module 724 to sense, measure, or detect a building's interior environmental properties, though other physical configurations may also be considered to benefit from various aspects of the herein described embodiments of the smart ventilation system, such as those associated with power storage and management, for example.

The sensor module 724 may be comprised of one or more sensors operable to sense, measure, or calculate interior environmental properties—such as temperature, humidity, sonic wave frequency and intensity, electromagnetic wave frequency and intensity, smoke, fire, gas type and concentration, air pressure, and so on—and to provide these to the communication module 726. Further, the sensor module 724 may be controlled by the communication module 726; for example, communication module 726 may be able to turn on/off the sensors, to adjust the frequency of data collection and/or transmission to the communication module 726, and/or to provide firmware updates, to name a few examples. Illustrative circuitry for integration of a temperature and relative humidity sensor is provided, for example, in FIG. 28.

Information from the sensor module 724 may be supplemented with one or more additional sensor modules (not pictured), separate from the control unit 720, operable to communicate with and be controlled by the communication module 726. Additional sensor modules may be powered by power source 710, rechargeable energy management module 722, or by any other means, in accordance with different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the system may be further composed of a life-form detector (not pictured). This life-form detector could employ thermal or acoustic sensing to detect the presence of animals present, and the duration of their presence. These complementary sensors, while not directly related to operation of the ventilation system, may be provided as complementary sensors for monitoring an overall health or wellbeing of the environment being monitored, such as an attic or crawlspace, for example.

As noted above, the control/communication module 726 may communicate with, store data from, and control the power source 710, the rechargeable energy management module 728, the sensor module 724 and any additional sensor modules, the exhaust fan 712, and other peripheral devices and/or components as may be applicable in different embodiments. Such communication and control may be through either a direct wired connection or through a wireless connection, or both. For example, the communication module 726 and corresponding components may use wireless communication technology that may include, but is not limited to, Bluetooth™M, Bluetooth Low Energy™, Wi-Fi, cellular, radiofrequency, and so on, and that can be used to communicate wirelessly via one or more corresponding communication antennae 734 with a remote communication device, as noted above and described further below.

In some embodiments, the communication/control module 726 is operable to communicate with, store data from, and control a sensor exterior to the room containing the control unit 722. For example, such an exterior sensor (not pictured) may be placed on the roof of a building in order to sense, measure, or calculate exterior environmental properties, such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, ultrasonic waves, electromagnetic radiation, smoke, fire, gases, air pressure, and so on. Similarly, the communication module 726 may, in some embodiments, be operable to receive weather information from a weather database and to store such data, or again use any such data in combination or isolation to further control or operate the ventilation system, as will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan.

Data that the communication module 726 receives and stores is defined as system data. The system data may encompass parameters related to the power source 710, e.g.: temperature of a solar panel, amount of light received by a solar panel, wind or tidal speeds, power output, and so on; the rechargeable power module 722, e.g.: stored charge remaining, estimated time to deplete remaining charge, estimated time to gain depleted charge, power output, and so on; the sensor module 724, e.g.: the actual parameter measured or calculated parameter, such as resistance, temperature, humidity, dew point, sonic wave frequency and intensity, electromagnetic wave frequency and intensity, presence and/or concentration of smoke, presence of fire, gas type and/or concentration, air pressure, and so on; the communication module 726, e.g.: current network connection type (such as ordinary Bluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy™, Wi-Fi, radiofrequency, LAN, and so on), available network connection types, available networks, connection speed, network latency, users connected, and so on; or the exhaust fan 712, e.g.: fan on/off, fan speed, fan run-time, elapsed time since the fan was on, and so on. In some embodiments, the system data can include data from the exterior sensor(s), the additional sensors, and/or the weather information.

The communication/control module 726 is operable to control the components based on preset values or logic stored in the communication module 726 or exterior from the system, or both. For example, the communication module may be directed to turn on the exhaust fan 712 if the temperature sensed by the sensor module 724 exceeds a certain temperature, humidity level, or the like, or again pre-emptively when weather conditions change, monitored environmental parameters exhibit a particular trend, variation or pattern recognizable from stored values or historical data, or the like. Such operational conditions, parameters and/or logic may be preprogrammed in firmware, and/or updated via a remote communication device communicating with the communication module 726 via a wireless communication channel established via wireless antenna 734.

For example, in some embodiments, a remote communication device (not shown) can be used as an input/output and/or display device, for example, to receive and display operational parameters of the ventilation system, historical data, sensor readings, environmental conditions inside or outside the interior space, or the like, and relay operational instructions, parameters, thresholds or the like in customizing operation of the ventilation system. In some embodiments, the communication device may include a single device, such as a smart phone or tablet running a dedicated application, such as a Bluetooth™ enabled app communicating directly with the smart ventilation system. In other embodiments, the smart ventilation system may also or otherwise pair or connect to a local communication network, such as over a residential Wi-Fi network or the like, to relay and receive data over this network directly with a corresponding device on this network, or again, to via remote Web-enabled service that can, as a further feature, provide remote communicative access to the system (control, alerts, notifications) from anywhere.

As noted, the communication device may comprise a device or devices that a user already possesses, for example a smartphone, smart watch, tablet, computer, or existing thermostat. The input device 170 may also or alternatively include new devices that are designed for use with the system or adapted for use with the system, such as a thermostat or a standalone digital device. Further, there is no requirement that the system be limited to a single input device; for example, a user may connect the communication module 726 to their smartphone and simultaneously to a standalone digital device, and/or to a plurality of such devices.

Continuing with the above example, in some embodiments, a user may be able to view the humidity sensed at any point using the communication device, as the sensor module 724 and communication module 726 continuously receive power from the rechargeable energy management module 722 even if power source 710 ceases to provide power. Further, the communication module 726 may have instructions to provide the user with notifications when power source 710 ceases to provide power and/or regains power output, for example, as well as various other power management information, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan.

In some embodiments, the communication device may be operable to receive user instructions that override the system's internal instructions. For example, the user could provide instructions via the communication device to override internal instructions controlling the exhaust fan 712, to turn on/off or alter the fan speed, etc. In some embodiments, the user may use the communication device to restrict the system's use of the power source 710, in order to test or troubleshoot the rechargeable energy management module 722. The user may also have the option to turn on/off the sensor module 724, a life-form detector (not pictured), additional sensor modules and/or exterior sensor(s), or to change the manner in which the system reads output from, prioritizes, or analyzes these components.

In some embodiments, the communication device may be operable to display parameters related to the life-form detector (not pictured), e.g.: sound level, temperature detected, movement distance or frequency, etc.; the input device, e.g.: content of a user instruction, time of a user instruction, etc.; the additional sensor module, as discussed above regarding the parameters of the sensor module; weather information, e.g.: environmental temperature, humidity, air pressure, past weather events, predicted weather events, etc.; or the exterior sensor, e.g.: temperature, humidity, air pressure, ambient light levels, precipitation, sound levels, and so on.

Rechargeable Energy Management Module

As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, a rechargeable power module 722 is operable to store power from the power source, such as solar power source 710, and to provide this stored power to the sensor module 724 and the conrol/communication module 726. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, various rechargeable power solutions may be considered within the context of the above-described ventilation system to store and releasing electrical power.

In accordance with some embodiments, and with particular reference to FIGS. 15 to 21, in one embodiment, the rechargeable power module 722 may comprise a supercapacitor circuit assembly. For example, FIG. 16 provides a high-level schematic diagram of a supercapacitor circuit assembly comprising a supper capacitor 734, a DC/DC current limiter 736, and a DC/DC Buck/Boost 738.

With particular reference to FIGS. 17 to 21, an energy management module, generally referred to using the numeral 800, will now be described, in accordance with one illustrative embodiment. In this particular embodiment, the energy management solution 800 is operable to receive as input a photovoltaic voltage (PV) from a solar panel 810 or the like (see illustrative PV input circuit of FIG. 18, and related PV voltage monitor circuit of FIG. 22, for example). This PV input is then channeled via a two-stage power regulation circuit, illustratively comprising as a first stage, a buck regulation circuit 840, followed by a second-stage regulation solution, illustrated herein as one of two options: a Lithium-ion hybrid supercapacitor (LIC hybrid supercapacitor) solution 842, or a traditional supercapacitor and buck regulation solution 844 comprising a traditional supercapacitor 846 and buck regulation circuitry 848, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 17, either solution operatively couples to power a control module 826, such as a BLE module, and associated peripherals. Exemplary circuitry for illustrative BLE module operation, interconnection and peripheral control is provided, for example in FIGS. 24 to 29.

With particular reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, illustrative circuity for the first stage power-regulation component will now be described in greater detail. In general, the voltage output from the solar photovoltaic (PV) panel is fed through a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) resettable fuse for protection to the first stage voltage regulation. The first stage is responsible to generating the voltage level to maximize energy storage of the super-capacitor. The supercapacitor selected in this example has a rated maximum voltage of 5.4V, hence the voltage regulator output is set to 5.2V. This leaves some headroom to guarantee the supercapacitor will not be damaged by overvoltage considering tolerances of the parts in the circuit.

In this example, efficiency of the first stage regulator is not critical in the power storage capacity or estimated life. The first stage is active only when the PV panel voltage exceeds the minimum threshold for regulation, and it can accept up to 32 VDC which is significantly higher, in some examples, than what the PV panel is rated to supply. While PV panel voltage is available, the efficiency of the regulation is not important to the system performance as the power used is insignificant to the power available by the panel.

In this example, the maximum current draw is 110 mA and only occurs when the supercapacitor is fully discharged. The output of the first stage regulator is protected from reverse leakage by a low leakage Schottky diode. The maximum charge rate is determined by the series resistor. This design uses a 47 Ω 1206 package resistor which limits max current to 110 mA. The peak power across the resistor is 0.575 W, which is less than the rated maximum power of 0.667 W in this example.

With particular reference to FIG. 20, exemplary circuitry is provided to implement an illustrative embodiment of the standard capacitor second-stage power regulation component 844 of the power management solution of FIG. 17. In this example, an Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) is used. In this example, the capacitor chosen was a Kyocera SCMT22D505SRBB0 5F super capacitor. It has a rated voltage of 5.4V and temperature rating of −40 to +65 C. At full system charge of 5.2V, the capacitor has a charge of=26 Coulombs. Larger capacitance values would give higher charge, but they also typically have higher leakage current. Since the system current is so small, the capacitor leakage current is significant. Higher capacitance values have diminishing performance improvements since leakage current increases.

The supercapacitor voltage is then regulated through a second stage regulator which powers the system electronics. The efficiency of this stage is relevant to the life of power. Even when PV panel voltage is removed, the charge held in the supercapacitor will power this second stage regulator. The output of the second stage regulator is set to 1.8V to provide a constant and clean power supply for the BLE chipset. The selected regulator TPS62840 features a super low quiescent current of 60 nA, which helps extend the cycle of each full charge for the supercapacitor.

In this example, the second-stage regulator is monitored by a voltage supervisor integrated circuit (IC) 850. In this example, the voltage supervisor IC is the TPS3840PL18DBV from Texas Instrument™, which features a hysteresis of 0.1V. The voltage on the supercapacitor must be over 1.9V for the supervisor to enable the second stage regulation, and the voltage supervisor will disable the second stage voltage regulator once the supercapacitor drops to 1.8V. The supervisor prevents constant turning on/off of the system if the voltage is fluctuating around 1.8V and prevents the system from operating under low voltage conditions which could compromise and/or corrupt the BLE chipset. Also see illustrative supercapacitor voltage monitoring circuit of FIG. 23, for example.

In the illustrated example, the charging rate is determined by the series resistor after the first stage voltage regulator. A maximum charging rate occurs when the supercapacitor is fully discharged. A typical charging profile in this embodiment will thus show a maximum initial charge rate which exponentially diminishes as the charge level approaches the regulation voltage level. Testing of this illustrative solution resulted in the following charging conditions:

	Condition	Time (min)	Cap Voltage (V)
	Power On (0%)	1.5	1.8
	Normal Operating (5%)	1.7	1.98
	Charge to 80%	11.5	4.52
	Charge to 90%	19.6	4.86
	Charge to 95%	42.2	5.03

Once the supercapacitor is fully charged and the PV panel voltage is removed, a discharge rate can be measured. The supercapacitor is charged to a maximum of 5.2V which powers the second stage regulator until the supervisor IC disables the regulator at 1.8V. Prior to the regulator turning off, the system periodically monitors the charge on the supercapacitor and when a threshold of 1.9V is reached, the system enters a low power mode. In the low power mode, the sensor measurements are not taken and the EEPROM is not written. The purpose of the low power mode is to protect the system from data corruption in the event power is removed during a memory write operation. Setting the low power mode threshold 0.1V higher than the supervision disable threshold, allows the system to protect itself before power loss.

It was measured that the expected power life without PV panel voltage is over 7 days at room temperature.

While the present disclosure describes various embodiments for illustrative purposes, such description is not intended to be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims. Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the processes themselves, no particular order to steps or stages of methods or processes described in this disclosure is intended or implied. In many cases the order of process steps may be varied without changing the purpose, effect, or import of the methods described.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the present disclosure, the presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein any reference to an element being made in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments as regarded by those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, no requirement exists for a system or method to address each, and every problem sought to be resolved by the present disclosure, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that various changes and modifications in form, material, workpiece, and fabrication material detail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims, as may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are also encompassed by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A ventilation system to draw airflow from a building interior to an exterior space as a function of an environmental condition of the building interior, comprising:

a solar power source;

a ventilation fan operatively mounted within a ventilation channel formed between the building interior and the exterior space, wherein operation of said ventilation fan is powered from said solar power source;

an environmental sensor operated via a physical connector to said solar power source channeled along said ventilation channel to suspend said environmental sensor below said ventilation fan within the building interior to sense the environmental condition therein;

wherein said ventilation fan is powered at least in part as a function of the environmental condition as sensed by said environmental sensor suspended therebelow.

2. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein said solar power source comprises a solar panel integrated within an external ventilation fan outer housing to capture solar power from solar exposure in the exterior space, and wherein the captured solar power is relayed via said physical connector along said ventilation channel to power operation of said environmental sensor.

3. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a control unit, and wherein said solar power source powers said control unit to control powered operation of said ventilation fan as a function of the environmental condition as sensed via said environmental sensor.

4. The ventilation system of claim 3, wherein said environmental sensor is housed within said control unit.

5. The ventilation system of claim 3, wherein said control unit comprises a rechargeable power source, wherein said solar power source recharges said rechargeable power source when solar power from said solar power source is available, whereas said rechargeable power source powers said ventilation fan, as controlled via said control unit, when solar power from said solar power source is limited.

6. The ventilation system of claim 5, wherein said rechargeable power source comprises a supercapacitor circuit.

7. The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein said rechargeable power source further comprises a DC/DC current limiter as input between said solar power source and said supercapacitor circuit.

8. The ventilation system of claim 7, wherein said rechargeable power source further comprises a DC/DC current boost circuit as output between said supercapacitor circuit and a control circuitry of said control unit.

9. The ventilation system of claim 8, wherein said DC/DC current boost circuit comprises a buck boost circuit.

10. The ventilation system of claim 7, wherein said DC/DC current limiter comprises a buck limiter circuit.

11. The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein said supercapacitor circuit comprises a lithium-ion supercapacitor circuit.

12. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein said environmental sensor hangs freely within the building interior below said ventilation fan.

13. The ventilation system of claim 12, wherein said environmental sensor hangs freely via a cable physically connecting said physical connector.

14. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein said environmental sensor is fixedly connected via said physical connector to be suspended below said ventilation fan.

15. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein said physical connector lines an outer vent channel wall so not to interfere with operation of said ventilation fan.

16. The ventilation system of claim 15, wherein said physical connector comprises a guide that lines said outer vent channel in guiding said connector therealong from a solar power source connector to the building interior.

17. The ventilation system of claim 16, wherein said physical connector further comprises a connector terminal opposite said solar power source connector, and a cable physically connectable to said connector terminal at one end, and connecting at an opposite end thereof to said environmental sensor.

18. The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising a communication module operatively coupled to said environmental sensor to communicate data representative of the environmental condition to a remote communication device, wherein said communication module is further operated via said physical connector.

19. The ventilation system of claim 18, wherein said communication module comprises a Bluetooth™ module powered via said physical connector to said solar power source.

20. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein said environmental sensor comprises multiple environmental sensors each physically connected via said physical connector.