GB2194325A

GB2194325A - Ventilators

Info

Publication number: GB2194325A
Application number: GB08610445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Wheeler
Original assignee: Colt International Ltd
Current assignee: Colt International Ltd
Priority date: 1986-04-29
Filing date: 1986-04-29
Publication date: 1988-03-02
Also published as: ZA872965B; AU7188287A; EP0244191A1; GB8610445D0

Description

1 GB2194325A 1 SPECIFICATION and not by way of limitation with reference

to the accompanying drawings in which:

Improvements in ventilators Figure 1 is a cross-section of a controllable louvred ventilator of the present invention, The present invention comprises improve- 70 with the louvres shown in the closed position; ments in ventilators and concerns controllable, Figure 2 is a plan view showing part of the louvred ventilators for natural inlet or extract body of the ventilator with parts broken away ventilation, dependent upon siting, and which to show further details of the construction; are suited for use as heat and smoke exhaust Figure 3 is an enlarged left hand portion of ventilators in the event of fire. 75 Fig. 1 showing the open position of the One object of the present invention is to louvres in phantom outline; provide a controllable, louvred ventilator which Figure 4 is an enlarged left hand top corner is more readily manufactured in different sizes. portion of a plan view of the ventilator corre- According to the present invention, and with sponding to Fig. 2 to show further details of a view to meeting the above stated object, 80 the construction; and there is provided a controllable, louvred venti- Figure 5 is a cross- section on line 5-5 in lator having open and closed positions, in Fig. 3.

which each louvre is pivotally supported at With reference now to the accompanying opposite ends for opening and closing move- drawings, the ventilator is a louvred ventilator ments between one opposite pair of side 85 for roof or wall mounting. The ventilator has a members of a frame of the ventilator defining rectangular body comprising a base 10, best a ventilation opening to be controlled by the seen in Fig. 2, presenting a base flange 11 for louvres and is also supported, between its flashing the ventilator to the roof or wall W.

ends, on a pivot arm carried from an interme- The base flange 11 is flat in the present diate frame member spanning the ventilation 90 example but it may be of any of the standard opening between a further opposite pair of shapes suitable for flashing it to different side members of said ventilator frame. kinds of roof or wall cladding or to glazing By pivotally supporting each louvre at oppo- bars. The base 10 has an upstanding wall 12 site ends and between its ends, sagging or defining a rectangular ventilation opening 14 bending of the louvres is reduced. 95 through the base, the wall having a down- Also, by employing a number of said pivot wardly directed lip 12' along its upper edge arms for each louvre, spaced along the length overhanging the base flange 11. The base of the louvre, and a corresponding number of may conveniently be formed by welding to said intermediate frame members, likewise gether, as at 10', four roll- formed or extruded spaced along the lengths of the louvres, the 100 sheet metal, e.g. aluminium, parts 10a, 10b span of the louvres may be selected to suit a having the section shown in Figs. 1 and 3-.

ventilator of any required width. Alternatively, square corner pieces may be Preferably, the pivot arms extend sufficiently welded to a single rollformed part of the from the intermediate frame member or mem- same section which is slit and bent to form a bers and are inclined with respect thereto 105 rectangular frame with the wall 12 in one such that the louvres are free to open through piece. Ventilation through the opening 14 is an angle of substantially 90'. controlled by the louvres 15 (see Figs. 1 and The louvres are conveniently controlled for 3) which also weather the opening.

opening and closing movements by a control The ventilator further comprises a. readily re- member which is bodily movable and which is 110 movable outer body part 20 made up of op connected with the louvres by a series of posite pairs of straight channel sectioned links, there being a separate link for each members 16, 16 and and 17, 18 removably louvre, each link being pivoted at its opposite interconnected with one another at their adja ends respectively to the louvre and to the cent ends by means of self- tapping screws control member, the link-louvre pivots being 115 21. The members 16, 17, 18 are formed as positioned close to the pivot arm-louvre pivots. extruded metal, e.g. aluminium, sections and in the lengthwise direction of the louvres. each presents an equally spaced pair of walls With this arrangement, the intermediate extending away from the base flange 11 to pivotal supports afforded to the louvres by the the outside of the wall 12. The wall, e.g. 18' pivot arms reduces or prevents flexing of the 120 (see Fig. 3) of this pair of walls adjacent the louvres under the action of opening and clos- wall 12 abuts the outside of the wall 12 and ing forces imparted to the louvres by said is engaged under the overhanging lip portion links. 12', each wall, such as 18', itself having a Preferably, the control member is supported corresponding downturned lip along its upper by, and is slidable on, said intermediate frame 125 edge. The adjacent walls, such as 18', of all member or one of said intermediate frame the members 16, 17, 18 substantially corre members in order to add still further rigidity to spond with one another in cross-sectional size the ventilator structure. and shape to interfit with the wall 12 in the A specific embodiment of the present inven- manner seen in Fig. 3. The webs or floors tion will now be described by way of example 130 16a, 17a, 18a of the channel members 16, 2 GB2194325A 2 17, 18 abut the base flange 11. The channel extruded section and is attached to the walls members 16, 17, 18 act as drainage channels 12 by means of brackets 44 welded or riv- for water which runs off the louvres 15. The etted to the walls during assembly of the ven other upstanding walls 16", 17" and 18" of tilator. The member 42 is centrally disposed the channel members 16, 17, 18 form a rec- 70 between the walls 16" and carries a control -tangular frame or box which carries the pivots member 46 supported by, and slidable on, the for the outer ends of the lovures 15. The member 42 by means of ball bearing slides louvre end pivots 22 are arranged as seen in 48, the balls of which are trapped in cages Fig. 4. These pivots, which are formed by 50 and move between runways 52, 54 of the headed pivot pins, are driven into the respec- 75 members 42 and 46 respectively to provide a tive ends of part-cylindrical channels formed in low friction, linear slider mechanism for open hollow part-cylindrical (2700) formations 24 ing and closing the louvres. The bodily mov extending along the longitudinal louvre centre able control member 46 is connected with the lines, and corresponding formations 26 are louvres 15 by a series of wire links 56, there also provided, extending parallel to the central 80 being a separate link 56 for each louvre. As formations 24, adjacent the inwardly opening, seen in Fig. 5, the link- louvre pivots 56' and trailing edges of the louvres, for fixing link- the pivot arm-louvre pivots 40' are correspon louvre pivots in a manner which will be de- dingly positioned in the lengthwise direction of scribed below. The louvres 15 are cut. to the the louvres whereby the opening and closing required length from metal,. e.g. aluminium, ex- 85 forces imparted to the louvres are carried trusions of the section indicated in Fig. 3 and mainly or wholly by the pivot arms 40 and are additionally provided with leading and trail- the intermediate frame member 42, and the ing edge formations 28, 29 which overlap one louvres are substantially relieved of opening another in the closed position of the louvres, and closing forces tending to flex the louvres.

as best shown in Fig. 3. The leading edge 90 The pivot arm-louvre pivots 40' and the link- formations 28 carry elastomeric seals 30, louvre pivots 56' have Nylon (Registered Trade which may be lip seals, carried by the forma- Mark) pivot bearings 60 of the same general tions 28 which seals then act to resist water form as the pivot pins 22 fitted in the part penetrating under the leading edges of the cylindrical channels of the louvre formations louvres, and water penetrating under the lead 95 24 and 26 respectively. The formations 24 ing edges of the louvres is trapped in the and 26 are, in this case, both cut away lo trailing edge rain channels 32 which also act cally, centrally of the louvres, to provide for to catch and drain off water into the channel mation gaps 24' and 26' to expose part-cylin members 16 of the body part 20, particularly drical channel ends for insertion of the bear when the louvres are in a partly opened posi- 100 ings 60 and the wire ends of the pivot arms tion and the ventilator is flat roof mounted. and links, and to one side of the gaps 24' The louvre end pivots 22 are provided with and 26' by cross cuts 36' corresponding to bearing shoulders 34 which bear directly in the cross cuts 36 already described for receiv the walls 16" of the box and the pivot pins ing the wing formations 60' of the bearings 22 are secured in the formations 24 by wing 105 60 corresponding to the wing formations 22'.

formations 22' on the pins which occupy The formation gaps 24', 26' also provide op cross-cuts 36 in the formations 24, formed erating spaces for the louvres to pivot on the prior to assembly of the ventilator, the pins pivots 40' and for the links 56 to pivot the being driven into the formations 24 until the louvres on their pivots. The link-control mem wings 22' reach this position whereby the 110 ber pivots 56" also have Nylon pivot bearings louvres 15 are predeterminedly positioned be- 62. The pivot arm-frame member bushings 64 tween the Walls 16". To secure each louvre are likewise composed of Nylon but no pivot against rotation with respect to its pivot pins irfg is accommodated for in this case since, as 22, the pins have splines 22" which fit closely will be understood, the pivot arms 40 remain between the free edges of the channel formastatic, the pivot arms 40 simply lending strut tion 24 of the louvre. The gaps between the like support to the louvres 15 between their louvre ends and the walls 16" are sealed with ends.

pile weather seals 38a, 38b mounted in open- The Nylon pivot bearings 62 and the Nylon ended T-slots formed on the insides of the bushings 64 have wing formations to retain walls 16" and form gaps 37 at the ends of 120 them in position.

the channels 32 for the drainage of water As seen in Fig. 3 the pivot arms 40 extend from these channels when the louvres are in a sufficiently from the member 42, and are in closed position. clined with respect thereto, such that the Each louvre 15 is also supported, between louvres are free to open through an angle of its ends, on a wire pivot arm 40 carried from 125 substantially 90' and so as to assume a verti an intermediate frame member 42 which cal position when the ventilator is set horizon spans the ventilation opening 14 between the tally, as shown in Fig. 3. In this position a opposite pai r of its side walls 12 extending in maximum unobstructed throat opening for the the longitudinal direction of the louvres. The ventilator is achieved. Also, the inclination of member 42 is metal, e.g. aluminiurn hollow 130 the pivot arms ensures that the pivot arms 3 GB2194325A 3 still lend strut-like support to the louvres even which is exposed outside the roof or wall is when the louvres are in their fully open posi- readily removable, by removing the screws tion. 21, to gain access to the louvre operating The wire links 56 are of Z-shape as seen in mechanism of the ventilator, e.g. for servicing.

Fig. 5 to minimize the closing forces tending 70 The louvre blades may be formed e.g. ex- to wrench the link-louvre pivots 56' and pivot truded from translucent material e.g. u.p v.c.

bearings 60 out of the channel formations 26. or polycarbonate. Other translucent louvre The control member 46 may be operated in blade constructions e.g. framed constructions any desired fashion. In the present embodi- may be used.

ment a single acting pneumatic ram 70 is pro-

Claims

vided, carried from the frame of the ventilator, CLAIMS for moving the

member 46 in one direction to 1. A controllable louvred ventilator having the right in Figs. 1 to 3 to close the louvres open and closed positions in which each against the action of a return spring 72 con- louvre is pivotally supported at opposite ends nected between the member 46 and the 80 for opening and closing movements between frame. The piston rod 74 of the ram is con- one opposite pair of side members of a frame nected with the member 46 through a cou- of the ventilator defining a ventilation opening pling 76 incorporating a fusible link 78, 80 so to be controlled by the louvres and the that in the event of a fire and yielding of the louvres are also supported, at at least one fusible link, the control member 46 is released 85 location between their ends, on pivot arms for return movement, to the left in Fig. 3, by carried from an intermediate frame member the spring 72 and the louvres are opened spanning the ventilation opening between a automatically to ventilate the fire. further opposite pair of side frame members By providing additional control mechanisms of said ventilator frame.

and intermediate frame members 42, all as 90
2. A ventilator as claimed in claim 1 in already described with reference to the ac- which the louvres are supported at a plurality companying drawings, the lovures 15 and the of locations between their ends on pivot arms top and bottom outer body members 17, 18 carried from a plurality of said intermediate may be selected to be of increasing length to frame members spaced apart along the interfit with wider bases 10 to form ventila- 95 lengths of the louvres.

tors in a range of sizes as desired.
3. A ventilator as claimed in claim 1 or 2 The members 16, 17, 18 forming the body in which the pivot arms extend sufficiently part 20 or box are offered up separately to from the intermediate frame member or mem the base 10, when constructing the ventilator bers and are inclined with respect thereto and rotated into position with their walls such 100 such that the louvres are free to open through as 18' engaging with their downturned upper an angle of substantially 90'.

edge lips under the lip 12'. The fixing screws
4. A ventilator as claimed in any preceding 21 are then inserted to unite the box and fix claim including a bodily movable control mem the box to the base. ber for opening and closing the louvres, the The base 10 is then fitted with as many of 105 control member being connected with the the intermediate frame members 42, already louvres by a series of links, there being a mounting their brackets 44 and control separate link for each louvre, each link being mechanisms, as are required to support and pivoted at its opposite ends respectively to operate louvres 15 spanning the width of the the louvre and to the control member, the base. Initially, the frame members are loosely 110 link-louvre pivots being positioned close to the positioned. pivot arm-louvre pivots at one location in the The louvres are assembled into the box lengthwise direction of the louvres.

formed by the outer body part 20 and inter-
5. A ventilator as claimed in claim 4 in connected with the control mechanisms with- which the control member is supported by, out mechanical fixings, the various parts being 115 and is slidable on, the intermediate frame simply pre ssed in place. The brackets 44 are member at siad one location in the lengthwise then rivetted or welded to the base frames. direction of the louvres.

Rapid assembly of ventilators as described
6. A ventilator as claimed in claim 5 in with reference to the accompanying drawings which the louvres are formed as extruded sec is, therefore, achieved. 120 tions with transversely spaced, lengthwise ex- The end of each channel member 16 may tending hollow formations which house the open through the wall 1W to drain off water louvre end and pivot arm- louvre pivots and from the channels outside the body of the the link-louvre pivots respectively, all with a ventilator. push-in fit.

The base 10 is welded in one piece and is 125
7. A ventilator as claimed in claim 6 in nowhere penetrated by fixing holes. Provided, which the louvre end pivots are fixed with therefore, that the flange 11 is properly respect to the louvres and bear directly in said flashed to the roof or wall W, water cannot one opposite pair of side frame members, the penetrate under or through the base. At the louvre end pivots acting to position the same time, the body part 20 of the ventilator 130 louvres between said one opposite pair of 4 GB2194325A 4 side frame members.
8. A ventilator as claimed in any preceding claim having a body presenting a base flange for flashing the ventilator to a roof or wall, the base flange being formed on a. base hav ing a wall extending away from the base flange on one side thereof and defining said ventilation opening through the base, said wall having lip portions overhanging the base flange, and an outer body part composed of straight, channel-sectioned members remova bly interconnected with one another at their adjacent ends, the channel-sectioned members each presenting a pair of walls extending away from the base flange to the outside of said ventilation opening defining wall and each having its wall adjacent the ventilation opening defining wall engaged under the overhanging lip portion of the ventilation opening defining wall.
9. A ventilator as claimed in claim 8 in which the channel-section member walls adja cent the ventilation opening defining wall en gage under said overhanging lip portion of the ventilation opening defining wall with lip por tions overhanging the channel-sectioned mem ber floors.

10- A controllable louvred ventilator sub- stantially as hereinbefore described with refer ence to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 High Holborn, London WCIR 4TP ' Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, KentBR53RD.

Printed by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd. Con. 1/87.