GB2260344A - Ventilation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A Ventilation Unit 15 that will allow air discharged from an appliance such as a mechanical Extract Fan to be taken to the drainage system 14 of a building, comprises a Diaphragm 10 which opens to allow air through the duct. The Diaphragm 10 can be opened by air pressure or electronically e.g. by Solenoid 16. A Safety Float 12 can be incorporated to seal the air duct from water within the drainage system in the event of a blockage. <IMAGE>

Description

AIR TO DRAINAGE UNIT This invention relates to a Unit which will allow air from an appliance such as a mechanical extract fan to be taken to the drainage system of a building.

With the current trends in building mechanical ventilation is becoming more common. This involves a mechanical extract fan ducted to the outside air and, therefore, a hole needs to be made usually in the external wall or the roof.

The Unit described below will allow the air discharged from a mechanical appliance such as an extractor fan, cooker hood, tumble drier etc., to be taken to a drainage system of a building; a Soil and Vent Pipe or an Internal Rain Water Pipe for example. The extracted air will then travel through the pipe to the external air. There is, therefore, no need for the extract fan or the appliances previously mentioned to be directly ducted to the outside air; hence there is no need for d hole to be cut in the external wall or in the roof. This will obviously cut building costs and improve the external appearance of the building.

The Unit would probably be moulded in plastic and although not absolutely necessary positioned close to the relevant drain pipe. Figures 1 to 5 illustrated in the accompanying drawings explain the basic workings of the Unit and indicate how the discharged air from the appliance travels through an air duct witin the Unit; then through the drain to the external air. Also given are some possible uses and positions of the Unit.

Figure 1 shows the basic flow diagram of the Unit 15.

The direction of air flow through the air ducts from the extract appliance is shown with arrows to a Soil and Vent Pipe 14: the Soil and Vent Pipe being open to the external air. The air entry duct need not follow the direction shown in this Figure; some alternative routes are indicated in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The pressure of air from the mechanical extract system will raise the diaphram 10 to the open position or alternatively the diaphram could be raised and lowered electronically; by a Solenoid 16 for example when the fan is switched on.

A Safety Float 12 is incorporated to prevent water reaching any electrical item or entering the room or appliance in case of a blockage. In this Figure the Float 12 is in the downward position. There is a lower entry pipe for water so that the Float 12 will rise and seal the main air duct before the water reaches the main air duct level.

The Float 12 itself has a hole near the top for air entry to prevent a vacuum forming and stopping the Float from rising.

Both the lower water entry pipe and the main air duct are fitted with a Screen 20 to prevent solids entering the Unit and fouling the Safety Float.

If the Unit 15 is above the water level of any fittings connected to the Pipe 14; or above the level of any water carrying pipes connected; then the Safety Float 12 and the lower water entry pipe could be omitted.

Figure 2 again shows the basic Unit 15. In this example the Diaphram 10 is shown in the down and therefore closed position. The Safety Float 12 is shown in the up position; sealing the main air duct to prevent water entry from the Soil and Vent Pipe 14.

Figure 3 gives one example of positioning the Unit 15.

The Unit 15 is attached directly to a Soil and Vent Pipe 14 with a mechanical Extractor Fan 17 fitted directly to the front.

Figure 4. This example shows the Unit 15 above the ceiling level of a room. The Unit is directly attached to a Soil and Vent Pipe 14 and a mechanical Extract Fan 17 is fitted to the underside.

In this example the air entry duct would be vertical and not with a 900 bend as Figures 1 and 2.

The Unit 15 could be placed between the joists of a floor or ceiling.

Figure 5 shows the Unit 15 connected to a Soil and Vent Pipe 14 or Internal Rain Water Pipe.

The air is taken from a mechanical Extract Fan 17 via an Air Duct 18.

A mechanical extract cooker hood or a tumble drier could also be ducted in such a manner.

Claims (7)

1 A Unit which will allow air discharged from a mechanical appliance to be taken to the drainage system of a building.

2 A Unit as claimed in Claim 1 which will eliminate the possibility of foul air within the drain from entering the appliance or the building.

3 A Diaphram within the Unit as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 which is moved by air pressure from a mechanical appliance.

4 A Diaphram within the Unit as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 which is moved eLectronically.

5 A Safety Float within the Unit as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 which will eliminate water passing through the Unit should a blockage occur in the drainage system.

6 A Screen within the air duct of the Unit as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 to prevent solids fouling the Safety Float as claimed in Claim 5 should a blockage occur in the drainage system.

7 An Air to Drainage Unit substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 5 of the accompanying drawing.