Abstract: A ventilator having a ventilator stator for mounting to a structure and a ventilator rotor for mounting and rotation with respect to the stator. One or more wind-drivable elements are mounted to the ventilator. A motor is provided for operation between the ventilator rotor and ventilator stator for selective motor-driven rotation of the ventilation rotor.

Abstract: The invention is an Attic Ventilation Turbine with Integrated Flex Blade that has a Scoop-Blade Turbine Shroud with an integrated Fan constructed within the Shroud so that ambient wind rotates the Shroud. When the Shroud rotates, the Fan is rotated along with the Shroud so that warm air within the attic is pulled out of the attic through the Turbine. The Fan is constructed with a number of flexible metal Blades that flatten as the Shroud spins faster.

Abstract: An exhaust fan assembly is provided for expelling contaminated air from a building. The assembly includes a plenum, a fan assembly attached to the plenum, and a windband mounted on top of the fan assembly. The fan assembly is constructed of cylindrical outer and inner walls which define a bearing chamber and surrounding annular space. A fan driven by a shaft extending downward from the bearing chamber draws exhaust air from the plenum and blows it up through the annular space to a nozzle at the top of the fan assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing a chimney draught in an upstream connected exhaust gas cleaning system consisting in immersing a chimney tube (1; 1?) provided with the open top part thereof in a bath in such a way that a liquid (condensate) collected therein forms a liquid barrier closing the exhaust gas input end of the chimney tube with respect to environment. In order to remove the exhaust gases from the upstream connected exhaust gas cleaning system, at least one part of the chimney tube cross section is exposed by lowering the liquid level under the edge thereof. Said lowering of the liquid level can be carried out by lowering the bath.

Abstract: An improved method and system for flue gas recirculation (FGR) from the ID Fan located downstream of a scrubber (or other Air Quality Control Equipment including cyclones, baghouses, etc., hereafter “AQC equipment”) back to the scrubber (or other AQC Equipment) inlet to maintain the minimum required flue gas throughput during low-load conditions, thereby eliminating the need for a separate booster fan. A flue gas recirculation duct is connected from downstream of the ID Fan to the inlet of the scrubber (or other AQC Equipment). A variable flow restrictor is placed in the duct downstream of the ID Fan for controlling pressure of the recirculated flue gas. The flow restrictor is controlled in accordance to a function of boiler load or flue gas flow to produce the required backpressure that enables the flue gas to flow through the recirculation duct back to the inlet of the scrubber (or other AQC Equipment) at low loads.

Abstract: Impeller for a motor-driven chimney draft system, comprising a flue gas impeller (10) for creating, in a flue gas passage, a draft in a flue gas downstream direction. A flue gas deflector disk (20) is situated downstream relative to the flue gas impeller (10) and connected to the flue gas impeller (10); and a hub for connecting the impeller to an end portion of a driving shaft of a motor (100), wherein the hub and the end portion of the driving shaft, when connected, are both situated downstream relative to the flue gas deflector disk (20), the hub indirectly connected to the flue gas deflector disk (20) by means of intermediate members. Advantageously the intermediate members are impeller blades (40) connected to the downstream side of the flue gas deflector disk (20) and to a venting disk (30) with venting holes (31, 32) so as to form a turbine.

Abstract: Reversible draft controllers and exhaust systems incorporating reversible draft controllers are disclosed. One system for controlling draft in a chimney includes a sensor for determining condition data, an axial fan blade, an electronically commutated motor (ECM), and a controller. The ECM is configured to rotate the fan blade in a first direction to increase draft in the chimney and in a second, opposite direction to decrease draft. The controller has a processor and a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform steps for controlling draft in the chimney with the fan blade. The steps include: comparing condition data from the sensor to set point data to determine if an intervention is required; addressing insufficient draft by actuating the ECM to rotate the axial fan blade in the first direction; and addressing excessive draft by actuating the ECM to rotate the fan blade in the second direction.

Abstract: A representative mechanical draft system for drawing exhaust gasses from a chimney includes: an exhaust fan assembly having: a housing defining a chamber and having opposing openings, the opposing openings having a centerline extending therebetween, a first of the openings being operative to intake a flow of gasses, a second of the openings being operative to exhaust the flow of gasses from the chamber; and a centrifugal fan having a motor and an impeller, the motor being mounted external to the housing, the impeller being positioned within the chamber, a rotational axis of the impeller being inclined with respect to the centerline extending between the openings of the housing.

Abstract: An exhaust fan assembly is provided for expelling contaminated air from a building. The assembly includes a plenum, a fan assembly attached to the plenum, and a windband mounted on top of the fan assembly. The fan assembly is constructed of cylindrical outer and inner walls which define a bearing chamber and surrounding annular space. A fan driven by a shaft extending downward from the bearing chamber draws exhaust air from the plenum and blows it up through the annular space to a nozzle at the top of the fan assembly.

Abstract: An exhaust system for expelling air from a building includes an outlet nozzle that improves entrainment of ambient air with the building exhaust air. The improved air entrainment results in increased exhaust air dilution and plume height to better disperse the exhaust air away from the building. The nozzle has an H-shaped outlet configuration with two lateral outlet sections joined by a central transverse outlet section. The nozzle has a pair of outer lateral walls, a pair of outer transverse walls, and a pair of sloped inner lateral walls that angle outwards from near an inlet end of the nozzle towards corresponding outer lateral walls. The nozzle can be part of the exhaust system at the outlet side of the exhaust fan within a windband that aids in entraining ambient air with the exhaust air exiting the nozzle.

Abstract: Rooftop grease containment systems are disclosed. The disclosed grease containment systems may include a grease collection pan having (i) a pan volume surrounded by (a) a pan floor, (b) at least one pan side wall, and (c) a pan rim extending outward from an upper edge of the at least one pan side wall, (ii) at least one pan drain outlet, and (iii) at least one pan opening positioned in the pan floor, the first pan opening having a size and shape so that a first grease duct extending through a roof structure can extend through the first pan opening. The disclosed grease containment systems may further include a roof curb extending upward from the roof structure and having a roof curb upper periphery, the grease collection pan being positioned on the roof curb so that the pan rim rests on the roof curb upper periphery of the roof curb. Methods of making and using the disclosed rooftop grease containment systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The high velocity and high dilution exhaust system uses a centrifugal fan provided with a tapered nozzle. The nozzle compresses the airstream exiting the fan to increase back pressure and velocity. The air flow from the fan enters a stack having a venturi further increasing the velocity and decreasing the pressure. The decrease in pressure causes a suction, allowing the introduction of ambient air to mix with and dilute the output of the fan. The total discharge from the exhaust stack has a high velocity resulting in a plume height and effective height of the exhaust before dispersion occurs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a ventilator comprising a cylindrical housing the intake of which is connected to a coaxial cylindrical conduit of smaller diameter, an electric motor axially mounted in the housing, of small diameter relative to that of the housing, and on the shaft of which is fixed a wheel consisting of blades, each having a shape that all the cross-sections of a blade through planes parallel to the axis of the housing are parallel to said axis and the vanes orienting the air stream, integral with the inner side of the housing, distributed at the periphery of the housing and each including at least a curved part which, located on the side of the housing intake, is housed in an annular space comprised between the housing and the virtual cylindrical surface extending the air intake.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of contaminants from the exit vent of an air ventilation vent. The apparatus includes a trough adjacent the duct forming the exit vent. The apparatus is constructed and arranged such that no contaminants exiting the vent can pass between the apparatus and the duct. The apparatus may also include a cover placed over the trough. The cover is constructed and arranged to allow contaminants to pass between the duct forming the exit vent and the cover and into the trough.

Abstract: A system for ventilating an enclosure for electronic equipment has an axial fan mounted between first and second pipes. The first and second pipes have major and minor diameters, the diameters being sized to fit into different sized of standard ventilation duct. The first and second pipes, the fan, mounting means, and an optional gas cap can be assembled to provide airflow through the system in either of two directions. The system if preferably connected by ducting to an enclosure having heat-generating electronic components and mounted some distance away therefrom, such as in an attic space.

Abstract: An exhaust gas nozzle comprising a duct member forming a single exhaust passage and defining an open first end, an open second end, and a centrally-disposed longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The duct member includes at least a pair of bent wall portions spaced-apart from one another, these bent wall portions extending from the first end to the second end and gradually and increasingly pinching the passage from the first end to the second end. An annular, open-ended windband is connected to the duct member and disposed about the exterior of and in spaced, coaxial relation to the second end. A windband inlet is located below and in the region of the second end and outside the duct member.

Abstract: A variable speed power flue ventilator with a thermostatically controlled motor cooling system. The thermostatically controlled cooling system employs an auxiliary motor cooling fan separate from the fan used by the power ventilator to extract exhaust gases. A thermostatic sensor switch actuates the motor cooling fan whenever the temperature in the exhaust fan motor housing rises to a preset value. The cooling fan then draws cool ambient air through the motor housing until the enclosed housing area reaches a second lower, preset temperature at which point the cooling fan is shut off by the thermostat.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for improving air entrainment and sound attenuation of gases being discharged from one or more outlet portions of an exhausting device using an acoustic wind band. The acoustical wind band helps improve entrainment of ambient environmental air with the exhaust gases being discharged from the exhausting device resulting in a tight plume of high velocity flow which improves the effective stack height of the exhausting device. This is achieved by positioning the sections of the acoustical wind band in spaced relation thus forming passages that allow outside ambient environmental air to flow into the acoustical wind band to mix with and dilute the exhausting gas. The sections may also be positioned extending upward and inward at an angle to further enhance the entrainment of ambient environmental air with the flow of exhaust gas from the gas exhaust device.

Abstract: A variable speed power flue ventilator with a thermostatically controlled motor cooling system. The thermostatically controlled cooling system employs an auxiliary motor cooling fan separate from the fan used by the power ventilator to extract exhaust gases. A thermostatic sensor switch actuates the motor cooling fan whenever the temperature in the exhaust fan motor housing rises to a preset value. The cooling fan then draws cool ambient air through the motor housing until the enclosed housing area reaches a second lower, preset temperature at which point the cooling fan is shut off by the thermostat.

Abstract: A solar-powered ventilation system for a building structure for ventilating building structures even during no wind days. The solar-powered ventilation system for a building structure includes a building structure having a roof and a conduit member extending through the roof inside the building structure; and also includes a turbine member being securely mounted to the building structure over the conduit member and having a centrally-rotating spindle and a plurality of curved vanes securely attached to and spaced about the spindle; and further includes solar panels securely mounted to a top of the conduit member and upon which the turbine member is rotatably mounted, a motor connected to the spindle for the rotation thereof, and a battery connected to the motor and to the solar panels for storing electrical energy and for energizing the motor.

Abstract: A turbine roof ventilator includes a rotatable shaft defining an upper end and a lower end. A turbine hood is located on the upper end of the shaft and is adapted to turn with the shaft. A cylindrical sleeve is disposed below the turbine hood. The shaft is mounted in a bearing housing which is fixed relative to the cylindrical sleeve while allowing the shaft to rotate about its longitudinal axis. A fan or vane assembly is disposed on the lower end of the shaft and adapted to turn with the shaft so that as the turbine hood turns, the fan sucks air into the housing to improve the rate of flow of air through the roof ventilator.

Abstract: A chimney exhaust system for facilitating or creating an upward draft in a chimney flue, operating on what is referred to as "Bernoulli's Principle" comprises a housing unit having a tubular cross member and a tubular depending member, both members having an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the depending member intersects the cross member at an intermediate position between the inlet and outlet of the cross member. The depending member is mounted to a chimney flue at its inlet and acts as an extension thereof. A fan is attached to the housing unit proximate the cross member to generate air flow through the cross member and across the opening of the depending member's outlet. The air flow generated through the cross member creates an upward draft of the air in the chimney flue and the depending member.

Abstract: An airflow booster fan and control device therefor, the booster fan, preferably of the centrifugal, axial flow type, adapted for in-line installation into a length of duct or at the remotely located end of the duct in an air transfer duct system. The duct system may be one which removes heated and moistened air from a clothes dryer and particularly where the duct system is remotely located from the dryer. The control device delivers electrical power to the booster fan when an air pressure signal from within the duct system in close proximity to, or within, the booster fan is sufficient, as indicative of e.g. clothes dryer operation, to activate the control device to do so. However, a time delay relay in the control device maintains the booster fan in operation after each activating pressure signal for a predetermined length of time, after which the booster fan will be shut off.

Abstract: A system for exhausting smoke from a building. The building has a roof, exterior walls and at least one room therein where smoke has accumulated. The system comprises an actuable compressor arranged to draw smokeless air from the atmosphere outside the building and force the atmospheric air through a conduit that is in communication with the compressor. The conduit permits the passage of the forced air therethrough and has a length extending across the room adjacent the ceiling of the room. The conduit has an exit end that is open to the atmosphere. The exit end projects through and extends some distance beyond the overhanging roof of the building to prevent reentry of exhausted smoke and gases. A smoke exhaust valve is located on the length of the conduit extending across the room. The smoke exhaust valve is normally in a closed position.

Abstract: A smoke extraction apparatus consists essentially in a structural shape of a type of a molding plane given to the exterior wall of the footing (2), which forms the common base element of the static module and of the dynamic module. The dynamic module can be indiscriminately associated to the footing (2) according to the climatic conditions of the location or according to the desired level of underpressure, wherein the dynamic module is formed by a ferrule (15) made of a lower cylindrical part (16), which lower cylindrical part (16) extends in the upward direction in a truncate-cone part (17), where the truncated-cone part (7) ends in a turned-down exterior edge (18). The ferrule (15) is also formed surrounding the turbine (13) and is surmounted by the truncated-cone muffle (19), where the small base of the truncated-cone muffle (19) is extended upwardly in a neck (21), which neck (21) surrounds the electric motor (14), where the electric motor (14) keeps the turbine (13) in motion.

Abstract: A combination damper and chimney cap apparatus is provided to ventilate a fireplace and a flue connected thereto to provide a draft through the flue. The apparatus includes a platform constructed and arranged to be removably mounted to the flue and formed with an aperture extending therethrough in communication with the flue. An element senses temperature-smoke at the flue and at an area external to a fireplace connected to the flue to provide a signal in response to the temperature-smoke. A ventilation fan is connected to the a support to provide a draft sufficient to exhaust the smoke from the fireplace and the flue and to cool a electronic motor for the apparatus.

Abstract: A chimney safety and control system includes a control panel which indicates the position of the chimney damper and the operational status of a chimney fan unit, and allows the operator to electro-mechanically open and close the damper and set the fan. When the safety control system senses that a predetermined condition (e.g., high temperature) exists in the chimney firebox while the damper is closed, it automatically opens the damper and activates the fan. The system may also be used in conjunction with one or more smoke detectors, in which case the system automatically opens the damper and activates the fan when a smoke detector is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for hindering the formation and for penetrating and breaking-up overhead atmospheric inversions, enhancing ground level air circulation and, improving urban air quality and transporting ozone to the upper atmospheres by the use of waste heat, including combustion gases, rejected to the atmosphere during power generation.

Abstract: A draft inducer blower motor mounting and cooling construction comprising an electric motor including a housing having openings therein and a rotor mounted on a shaft, a fan blade fixed on the shaft and interposed between the motor and the draft inducer blower, and a heat shield interposed between the motor housing and the fan blade. The heat shield is fastened to the electric motor and to the housing of the inducer blower and has portions spaced from the blower housing. The heat shield further preferably includes a portion surrounding at least a part of the motor housing such that rotation of the fan blade draws cooling air through the electrical motor and about the housing of the electric motor and thereafter radially outwardly between the heat shield and the inducer blower housing to cool the electric motor and the shaft end bearing nearest the inducer housing. In another form, the portion surrounding the motor may be eliminated.

Abstract: A draft inducer having a pair of arcuate semi-scrolls within a cylindrical housing defined by a circular inner end plate and a circular outer end plate vertically spaced by a sidewall. A metal conduit element is connected concentrically to the inner end plate and an electric motor is connected adjacent the outer end plate. A fan blower wheel is disposed in the housing coaxially with the conduit element and is drivingly connected to the motor. The semi-scrolls define curved air passages with twin, oppositely directed outlets for discharging fluid flow outdoors at rates minimally effected by ambient wind conditions.