EP3712529B1

EP3712529B1 - Shutter-type smoke extraction damper and evacuation system comprising such a damper

Info

Publication number: EP3712529B1
Application number: EP20162429.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal Vandenheede; Jonas D'HAESE; Matthieu STEENLAND
Original assignee: RF Technologies NV SA
Current assignee: RF Technologies NV SA
Priority date: 2019-03-22
Filing date: 2020-03-11
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-11
Also published as: HRP20211157T1; FR3094077B1; ES2882692T3; EP3712529A1; FR3094077A1

Description

The present invention relates to a shutter-type smoke extraction damper and to an evacuation system comprising such a damper.
The damper comprises:

a frame for installing the damper in a smoke extraction duct;
at least one leaf which is mounted in the frame and is pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
means of connection between the leaf and the frame; and
a resetting motor which is provided on the leaf in order to drive the means of connection so as to move the leaf from its open position into its closed position.

EP 2 320 153 A1

Typically, such a damper has an essentially rectangular cross section, and the frames of such a damper typically delimit a rectangular opening.
Shutter-type smoke extraction dampers normally form part of a smoke and heat evacuation system. The dampers are normally mounted in a smoke extraction duct. These evacuation systems are especially intended for the mechanical smoke extraction of buildings with the aim of facilitating the evacuation of persons.
A smoke extraction damper of this type is normally closed and withstands fire when it is in the closed position. The damper is open only in the event of fire so as to allow controlled evacuation of the smoke. The damper then opens in the smoke extraction duct. In the event of fire, a control system opens only the dampers necessary to ensure evacuation of the smoke. The other dampers, which cannot contribute to the desired evacuation, remain closed and must then withstand fire.
During an incident, a test or a maintenance operation, the leaf can be returned manually or, in certain embodiments, automatically from its open position into its closed position. In order to carry out remote resetting, the latter embodiments comprise a resetting motor. Certain embodiments of shutter-type smoke extraction dampers that are marketed by the applicant of the present application under the name "Avantage" are motorized in this way. Other embodiments of such a smoke extraction damper are described, for example, in Document EP 2 320 153 B1 .
There is currently a tendency to produce such dampers in a more aesthetic manner without a covering grille, in which the outer face is made up of a panel that allows the application of a decorative finish in harmony with the adjacent wall. Such dampers are marketed, for example, by the applicant of the present application under the name "Kamouflage" and are described in Documents EP 2450642B1 , EP 2 537 562 B1 and EP 2 537 563 B1 .
It is desirable that such aesthetic dampers can also be reset remotely. The current motorized systems are nevertheless not applicable in these aesthetic dampers.
The device according to the invention, which is defined in claim 1, makes it possible to overcome this drawback. According to a first feature, said means of connection of a damper according to the invention comprise:

first means of connection which are in part situated between the motor and a first edge of the leaf and in part between this first edge and the frame, the first edge extending perpendicularly to the pivot axis; and
second means of connection which are in part situated between the motor and a second edge of the leaf, opposed to the first edge, and in part between this second edge and the frame.

A motor of a smoke extraction damper with which the invention is concerned is preferably not arranged along the edges of such a damper in order to avoid an asymmetrical load on the leaf and to avoid obstacles in the duct in which the damper is installed. With the novel means of connection according to the invention, it is now possible to position the motor on the leaf without these means impeding an aesthetic production of the damper. The first means of connection can easily be integrated into the leaf, whereas the second means of connection can easily be arranged along the corresponding edges of the damper, with the result that they hinder passage as little as possible. In this way, a symmetrical loading of the leaf is also possible.
According to one particular embodiment, the motor is mounted between two parallel panels of the leaf, and the part of the means of connection extending between said edges of the leaf extends between these two panels.
According to a robust embodiment of the invention, the motor is provided to generate a movement of a drive spindle which extends between the first edge and the second edge and which constitutes the part of the means of connection extending between the edges of the leaf.
In such an embodiment provided with a drive spindle, the motor is preferably provided to generate a rotational movement of an output shaft of the motor, and the damper comprises transmission means for transmitting the rotational movement of the output shaft into a rotational movement of the drive spindle. More specifically, these transmission means can be provided in the form of a gear mechanism.
According to a more specific embodiment, the parts of the means of connection extending between said edges of the leaf and the frame are constituted as a drive arm or a plurality of drive arms mounted in an articulated manner with one another.
In the case of a plurality of drive arms mounted in an articulated manner with one another, it is possible to optimize the course of the torque so as to obtain a higher torque in the closed position of the leaf than in the open position of the leaf.
Such drive arms or assemblies of drive arms are preferably fixedly connected to said drive spindle by a first end and are preferably mounted in a sliding manner in corresponding slots provided in the frame by a second end.
Instead of providing such a drive spindle and such drive arms, the means of connection may, for example, comprise a return cable and a winding drum which can be provided on the output shaft of the motor to receive this cable. Other solutions are conceivable.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the damper comprises a spring which acts on the leaf in order to move the leaf into its open position.
In such an embodiment, the spring is preferably a helical spring which is positioned around said drive spindle, which is fixedly connected to the leaf by a first end and which is fixedly connected to the drive spindle by a second end. There remains more space around the drive spindle to use a spring which has a more constant torque, with the result that the torque does not vary much in the different positions of the leaf.
In a specific variant of the invention, the damper comprises an electronically controlled locking mechanism which is mounted on the leaf. Such electronically controlled locking mechanisms are described, for example, in Documents EP 2 537 562 B1 and EP 2 695 426 A1 . In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the damper comprises a mechanism for resetting the locking mechanism according to the position of the leaf in order to reset the locking mechanism when the leaf is placed in its open position. Preferably, this mechanism for resetting the locking mechanism then comprises a rod between the locking mechanism and said drive spindle, the rod being mounted pivotably on a disc which is fixedly mounted on the drive spindle. Alternatively, but in a less advantageous manner, this rod could, for example, be fastened to the frame instead of being fastened to a disc of this type mounted on the drive spindle.
Said drawbacks of the prior art are also resolved by providing an evacuation system intended for the mechanical smoke extraction of a building, comprising a shutter-type smoke extraction damper according to the invention, as is described above.
The appended drawings illustrate the invention:

[Fig. 1] represents in perspective a damper according to the invention in a position between its open position and its closed position, with a part of the leaf omitted.
[Fig. 2] represents in perspective the damper shown in Figure 1 with a part of the frame omitted.
[Fig. 3] represents in perspective in a more detailed manner a part of the damper shown in Figure 2 at the level of the upper drive arm of the means of connection.
[Fig. 4] represents in perspective in a more detailed manner a part of the damper shown in Figure 2 at the level of the lower drive arm of the means of connection.
[Fig. 5] represents in perspective a lower part of the damper shown in the preceding figures, locked and in its closed position, with a part of the leaf omitted and a part of the frame omitted.
[Fig. 6] represents in perspective the part of the damper shown in Figure 5, the damper being unblocked.
[Fig. 7] represents in perspective the part of the damper shown in Figure 5, the damper being situated in a position between its open position and its closed position.
[Fig. 8] represents in perspective the part of the damper shown in Figure 5, the damper being situated in its open position.

The figures show a shutter-type smoke extraction damper (1) to be installed, on a wall or ceiling, in a smoke extraction duct.
The damper (1) has an essentially rectangular cross section. It comprises a frame (2) for installing the damper (1) in said duct. This frame (2) can be constructed in a known manner.
A leaf (3) is mounted in this frame (2) so as to be able to pivot about a pivot axis (A) between a closed position, as is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in which the duct is closed, and an open position, as is illustrated in Figure 8, in which the duct is open. The damper (1) is normally closed. When it is in this closed position, the damper (1) withstands fire. In the event of fire, the damper (1) can be opened in the smoke extraction duct such that it does not constitute an obstacle in the areas through which persons have to be evacuated.
A damper (1) can comprise a single leaf (3), as is illustrated, but can also comprise a plurality of leaves.
In the figures, the pivot axis (A) extends substantially vertically, but could also extend horizontally or in an inclined manner.
To make the leaf (3) pivotable, it can be suspended by means of hinges in this frame or, as is illustrated, by means of pivot hinges.
The leaf (3) illustrated comprises a first panel (5A) made of refractory material that extends essentially over the whole of the surface of the leaf (3). A second panel (5B) of the leaf (3) made of refractory material is positioned at a certain distance from the first panel (5A) and parallel to this first panel (5A). This second panel (5B) also extends essentially over the whole of the surface of the leaf (3).
The leaf (3) additionally comprises profiled elements (14) which extend essentially on the edges (B3, B4) extending parallel to the pivot axis (A). These profiled elements (14) are positioned essentially between said panels (5A, 5B) such that the panels (5A, 5B) and the profiled elements (14) define an inner cavity in the leaf (3). In the centre, a crossmember, which is not illustrated, is mounted between the profiled elements (14).
To open the damper (1), the latter is provided with a spring (10) which acts on the leaf (3) in order to move the leaf (3) into its open position. To close the damper (1), the latter is equipped with a resetting motor (4). The actuation of the leaf (3) can be remote-controlled by means of a locking mechanism (11). The damper (1) can also be actuated manually.
The motor (4) is mounted on the crossmember (not shown) between the two panels (5A, 5B) of the leaf (3). The motor (4) is provided to generate a rotational movement of an output shaft of the motor (4). A gear mechanism (7) is provided to transmit the rotational movement of the output shaft into a rotational movement of a drive spindle (6A, 6B). This gear mechanism (7) is provided with automatic clutch means for coupling or decoupling, with the result that, if the motor (4) is not turning, the leaf (3) can be moved freely.
The drive spindle (6A, 6B) extends between the opposed edges (B1, B2) of the leaf (3) which extend perpendicularly to the pivot axis (A). It is mounted pivotably on two corresponding fastening bodies (15) which are fastened to the first panel of the leaf (3). The drive spindle (6A, 6B) extends essentially parallel to the pivot axis (A) and has an essentially square cross section. A first part of this drive spindle (6A, 6B) extends between the motor (4) and a first edge (B1) of the leaf (3), and a second part extends between the motor (4) and a second edge (B2) of the leaf (3).
At said edges (B1, B2) of the leaf (3), drive arms (8A, 8B) are fixedly connected to the drive spindle (6A, 6B) by a first end. These drive arms (8A, 8B) are mounted in a sliding manner by a second end in corresponding slots (9A, 9B) provided in the frame (2).
Said spring (10) for moving the leaf (3) into its open position is a torsion spring (10) which is mounted around the drive spindle (6A, 6B), which is fixedly connected to the leaf (3) by a first end and which is fixedly connected to the drive spindle (6A, 6B) by a second end.
Said electronically controlled locking mechanism is also mounted on the crossmember (not shown), is situated between said panels (5A, 5B) and is basically constructed as is described in Document EP 2 537 563 B1 . The locking mechanism is equipped with a retractable bolt (19), which is subjected to the action of a spring in its locking position, in order to close the damper (1). It comprises a fixed electric coil (16) which is powered electrically. In the locked position, a backplate (17) made of ferromagnetic material is pressed against the coil (16). When the coil (16) is actuated, the backplate (17) is released, the retractable bolt (19) is retracted and the damper (1) is unlocked. The retractable bolt (19) can also be actuated manually by turning the key (20) in the keyhole (23).
In order to reset the locking mechanism (11), in the illustrated embodiment the backplate (17) is then fastened to an additional lever (18). A rod (12) is mounted in a sliding manner on said additional lever (18) of the locking mechanism (11) by a first end and is mounted pivotably on a disc (13) by another end. This disc (13) is fixedly mounted on the drive spindle (6A, 6B). An element (21) is spring (22)-mounted on the first end of this rod (12) in order to drive the additional lever (18) of the locking mechanism (11) with the aim of resetting this mechanism (11). Alternatively, the mechanism (11) can always be reset manually, as is described in Document EP 2 537 563 B1 .
In the standby position, as is illustrated in Figure 5, the leaf (3) is in its closed position and the locking mechanism (11) is locked. The backplate (17) is pressed against the coil (16), and the bolt (19) keeps the leaf (3) in its closed position.
In the event of fire, or to control the damper (1), the locking mechanism (11) can be unlocked by operating the coil (16), thus releasing the backplate (17), as is illustrated in Figure 6. In this way, the spring (10) pushes the leaf (3) into its open position, as is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. During this movement:

the drive arms (8A, 8B) of the means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) between the motor (4) and the frame (2) are guided in the slots (9A, 9B), as is illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, and
the rod (12) of the means for resetting the locking mechanism (11) is driven by the disc (13) on the drive spindle and drives the spring (22)-mounted element (21) in order finally to drive the additional lever (18) of the locking mechanism (11) with the aim of resetting this mechanism (11) in the open position of the leaf (3), as is illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 6

According to a variant which is not illustrated, the means of connection may comprise a return cable, and a winding drum can be provided on the output shaft of the motor to receive this cable.
The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the mechanical smoke extraction of buildings with the aim of facilitating the evacuation of persons.

Claims

Shutter-type smoke extraction damper (1), comprising:
- a frame (2) for installing the damper (1) in a smoke extraction duct;

- at least one leaf (3) which is mounted in the frame (2) and is pivotable about a pivot axis (A) between a closed position and an open position;

- means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) between the leaf (3) and the frame (2);

- a resetting motor (4) which is provided on the leaf (3) in order to drive the means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) so as to move the leaf (3) from its open position into its closed position;
characterized in that said means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) comprise:
- first means of connection (6A, 8A) which are in part (6A) situated between the motor (4) and a first edge (B1) of the leaf (3), and in part (8A) between this first edge (B1) and the frame (2), the first edge extending perpendicularly to the pivot axis (A); and

- second means of connection (6B, 8B) which are in part (6B) situated between the motor (4) and a second edge (B2) of the leaf (3), opposed to the first edge (B1), and in part (8B) between this second edge (B2) and the frame (2).
Damper (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the motor (4) is mounted between two parallel panels (5A, 5B) of the leaf (3), and in that the part (6A, 6B) of the means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) extending between said edges (B1, B2) of the leaf (3) extends between these two panels (5A, 5B).
Damper (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the motor (4) is provided to generate a movement of a drive spindle (6A, 6B) which extends between the first edge (B1) and the second edge (B2) and which constitutes the part (6A, 6B) of the means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) extending between the edges (B1, B2) of the leaf (3).
Damper (1) according to Claim 3,characterized in that the parts (8A, 8B) of the means of connection (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) extending between said edges (B1, B2) of the leaf (3) and the frame (2) are constituted as drive arms (8A, 8B) or an assembly of drive arms mounted in an articulated manner with one another.
Damper (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the drive arms (8A, 8B) or the assemblies of drive arms are fixedly connected to the drive spindle (6A, 6B) by a first end and are mounted in a sliding manner in corresponding slots (9A, 9B) provided in the frame (2) by a second end.
Damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damper (1) comprises a spring (10) which acts on the leaf (3) in order to move the leaf (3) into its open position.
Damper (1) according to Claim 6 and according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the spring (10) is a helical spring (10) which is positioned around the drive spindle (6A, 6B), which is fixedly connected to the leaf (3) by a first end and which is fixedly connected to the drive spindle (6A, 6B) by a second end.
Damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damper (1) comprises an electronically controlled locking mechanism (11) which is mounted on the leaf (3) and which comprises a mechanism for resetting the locking mechanism (11) when the leaf (3) is placed in its open position.
Damper (1) according to Claims 3 and 8, characterized in that the mechanism for resetting the locking mechanism (11) comprises a rod (12) between the locking mechanism (11) and the drive spindle (6A, 6B), the rod (12) being mounted pivotably on a disc (13) which is fixedly mounted on the drive spindle (6A, 6B).
Evacuation system intended for the mechanical smoke extraction of a building, comprising a shutter-type smoke extraction damper (1), characterized in that the damper (1) is a damper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.