GB2309776A

GB2309776A - Sound-damping ventilating device

Info

Publication number: GB2309776A
Application number: GB9701297A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrianus Jacobus Zwaan
Original assignee: ZWAAN ADRIANUS J
Current assignee: ZWAAN ADRIANUS J
Priority date: 1996-01-22
Filing date: 1997-01-22
Publication date: 1997-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-22
Also published as: BE1013318A3; DE19701444C2; GB2309776B; DE19701444A1; GB9701297D0; NL1002145C2

Abstract

A sound-damping ventilating device comprising a box-shaped housing 1 which is substantially elongated in the direction of its width and has a slotted ventilating channel 8 terminating at both ends in a mouth forming a gap in a housing wall, which ventilating channel 8 comprises slot walls partly formed by sound-damping material and, at least in the vicinity of mouth 9, by water-resistant material, and which ventilating channel 8, starting from mouth 9 in the direction of the other mouth closable by a valve element 1b, is formed by a part extending slantingly upwards 1a and being substantially constant in cross-section, and merges into a less slanting part 1b having substantially the same constant cross-section as the slanting part, wherein, viewed in the direction of the other mouth, the last portion of the less slanting part 1b has an increasing cross-section.

Description

Sound-damping ventilating device with an elongated box-shaped housing and a slotted ventilating channel The invention relates to a sound-damping ventilating device comprising a box-shaped housing which is substantially elongated in the direction of its width and has a slotted ventilating channel terminating at both ends in a mouth forming a gap in a housing wall, which ventilating channel comprises slot walls partly formed by sound-damping material and, at least in the vicinity of one mouth, by water-resistant material, and which ventilating channel, starting from that one mouth in the direction of the other mouth closable by a valve element, is formed by a part extending slantingly upwards and being substantially constant in cross-section, and merges into a less slanting part having substantially the same constant cross-section as the slanting part.

Sound-damping ventilating devices are usually included in window sections, in which, in connection with the often limited available built-in length, in particular above pivoted windows, it is important to design sound-damping ventilating devices having a highest possible nominal ventilating capacity, so that the overall dimensions remain as small as possible, which also offers advantages with regard to the price. The most effective method of obtaining a higher ventilating capacity is to reduce the internal air resistance while maintaining the likewise desired sound-damping characteristics.

Rather commonly known are sound-damping ventilating devices having a ventilating channel which, within the housing, makes a bend of 900, as is known from NL-A-8702464.

That bend leads to a relatively high internal air resistance, resulting in a volume flow qv of 9.58 dm3/s at a channel height of 11 mm and a pressure difference of 1 Pa. In case of opting for a sound-damping ventilating device of the type as meant in the first paragraph and known from NL-A-9201998, so a channel slanting upwards and merging into a less slanting part, the volume flow qv will be 12.47 dm/s at a channel height of 11 mm and a pressure difference of 1 Pa, or an improvement by about 30% as compared with a similar embodiment with a 900 bend.

The object of the invention is to further increase the volume flow and thus to further improve the ventilating capacity.

According to the invention, this is accomplished in a sound-damping ventilating device of the type described in the opening paragraph if, viewed in the direction of the other mouth, the last portion of the less slanting part has an increasing cross-section. By this feature, a further reduction of the internal air resistance is obtained which seems to be the result of the air becoming more easily detached from the diverging walls of the ventilating channel, which effect can be optimized if the last portion of the less slanting part has an evenly increasing cross-section.

From a point of view of manufacturing technique, it is preferable according to a further embodiment of the invention that the increasing cross-section is obtained by a diverging arrangement of one of the walls of the last portion of the less slanting part relative to the other wall of that portion, in which connection the divergence must be at least 7 to obtain an optimum effect. Experiments conducted with such a structure have shown that the volume flow qv at a channel height of 11 mm and a pressure difference of 1 Pa is increased to 13.85 dm3/s, or an improvement by about 45% as compared with a similar improvement with a 90% bend and an improvement by about 11% as compared with a similar embodiment with a channel slanting upwards and merging into a less slanting part without a diverging channel end.Such an increased volume flow closely approaches a theoretical maximum being 14.2 dm3/s, which can be calculated with the formula: volume flow qv =

in which h is the channel slot height in mm, Ap is the pressure difference (1 Pa), and 1.2 is the specific weight of air in kg/m3.

A very advantageous embodiment is obtained if at least part of the divergingly arranged lower wall is formed by a valve surface of a pivot valve element for closing the other mouth of the ventilating channel if this valve element is in the open position. From a point of view of manufacturing technique, this means a simplification not only for a specific embodiment of the ventilating device but also for the case that a range of ventilating devices having different channel slot heights are to be supplied, e.g. for being able to offer different combinations of sound-damping/ventilating capacity.

Then a similar valve will always suffice at diverse channel slot heights, even though at different channel slot heights the diverging wall part will have a different slant, which increases according as the channel slot height decreases.

In order to enable the valve to be reliably set to and maintained in a given position, it may be provided according to a further embodiment of the invention that the pivot valve can be elastically secured in different positions by means of a flexible arresting strip capable of cooperating with ribs arranged on a cylindrical part of the valve element.

Similarly, it can be achieved that the valve is reliably kept closed, more in particular if the pivot valve can be elastically secured in the closed position by means of a flexible arresting strip which in that position can engage behind a rib. This can be simply realized by including the flexible arresting strip in sealing means.

With reference to exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the accompanying drawings, the ventilating device according to the invention will now be further explained by way of example. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a ventilating device according to the invention in cross-section; and Fig. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, a modified embodiment of a valve to be used in the ventilating device according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a ventilating device, the housing of which is composed of a plurality of elongated sections 1-4. It is noted here that these sections may each be composed of a plurality of separate parts and that the sections are shown in a schematic and elementary manner. Shown equally schematically are a thermally insulating connection 5 between the sections 1 and 3 and a thermally insulating connection 6 between the sections 2 and 4. At the longitudinal ends, the sections 1-4 are closed by means of end partitions, one being indicated by reference numeral 7.

Formed between the sections 1 and 2 is a ventilating channel 8 with a mouth 9, for which purpose section 2 comprises a section part 2a, which includes an angle of the order of 400 with a section part 2b to be arranged horizontally, and merges into a section part 2c, which extends substantially parallel to the section part 2b, while the section 1 comprises a section part la and an adjoining section part lb, which extend parallel to section parts 2a and 2c, respectively, the perpendicular distance between the section parts la and 2a being equal to that between the section parts ib and 2c. At the end located opposite the end adjoining the section part lb, the section part la comprises a projecting section part lc, which serves as a shield against rain for the mouth 9.

The section 3 comprises longitudinal ribs 3a and 3b. The longitudinal rib 3a is provided for attachment of a section 10, for which purpose section 10 comprises a longitudinal edge 10a merging into a part lOb bent into the housing and terminating in a part lOc which extends substantially horizontally and lies in the same plane as the section part lb. Between the parts lOb and lOc the section 10 comprises receiving means lOd for accommodating sealing elements 11 and 12. The longitudinal rib 3b is intended for attachment of an upper longitudinal edge of a closing plate 13, which is provided with ventilating apertures and may further comprise means for fitting an insect screen.

The lower longitudinal edge of the closing plate 13 is connected with a longitudinal rib 4b of the section 4, which further comprises a longitudinal rib 4a for attachment of a section 14. The section 14 comprises a section part 14a, which slantingly extends into the housing and terminates in a valve pivot 14b. About halfway between the longitudinal rib 4a and the valve pivot 14b one end of a section part 14c, which is about quarter circular in cross-section, adjoins the section part 14a. The other end of the section part 14c carries receiving means 14d for accommodating a sealing element 15.

Adjoining the receiving means 14d is a section part 14e, which is L-shaped in cross-section, and of which the leg adjoining the receiving means slants slightly upwards. Adjoining the other leg of the L-shaped section part 14e is a section part 14f, which extends substantially horizontally and lies in the same plane as the section part 2c.

Pivotally mounted on the valve pivot 14b is a pivot valve element 16. The pivot valve element 16 comprises a valve surface 16a, which, in the open position of the pivot valve element 16 shown in Fig. 1, slants slightly upwards, that is to say preferably at an angle of at least 70 to the horizontal, from the valve pivot 14b to the section part 14f, thus forming a continuation, though slightly bent, of the surface of the section part 14f. At its free end the valve surface 16a comprises a bent edge part 16b, which extends parallel to the adjoining leg of the section part 14e, while the other end terminates in a bearing part 16c capable of pivotally operating with the valve pivot 14b.The bearing part 16c comprises a radially extending section part 16d, to the end of which is attached a section part 16e, which is about quarter circular in cross-section and is concentrically arranged with respect to the section part 14c, which section part 16e has a radius somewhat smaller than that part 14c, the arrangement being such that when the pivot valve element 16 pivots on the valve pivot 14b, the circumferential surface of the section part 16e sealingly cooperates with the sealing element 15.

The arrangement of the pivot valve element 16 and the receiving means lOd with sealing elements 11 and 12 is further such that the valve surface 16a will sealingly cooperate with the sealing elements 11 and 12 after a certain pivotal motion of the pivot valve element 16, resulting in the closed position of the ventilating device, which position is shown in Fig. 1 in more detail by representing the valve surface 16a' in that closed position by a thin line.

Defined by the sections 1, 3 and 10 is a space 17, which may at least partly be filled with a sound-damping material, forming the wall of the ventilating channel 8 between the free ends of the section parts lb and lOc. The sections 2, 4 and 14 define a space 18, which may likewise at least partly be filled with sound-damping material, again forming the wall of the ventilating channel 8 between the free ends of the section parts 2c and 14f. The spaces 17 and 18 at the same time function as resonator compartments, with the wall portions of the ventilating channel 8 consisting of sound-damping material forming the access openings to those resonator compartments.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the flared end of the less slanting, here substantially horizontal part of the ventilating channel 8, proposed according to the invention, is formed by the valve surface 16a, which, viewed from the ventilating channel 8, slants slightly downwards. It is likewise possible to give the section part 14f, or at least a portion thereof, a similar slant. Furthermore, it is also possible to give the section 10 a configuration such that this (likewise) shapes a ventilating channel 8 flared at the end.

As noted before, it is common practice to market a given type of sound-damping ventilating device in several types of different sound-damping values and characteristics. This may be realized, among other things, by modifying the height of the ventilating channel. In the present exemplary embodiment, this is simply possible without modifying the pivot valve structure. As indicated by a thin line, the pivot valve element 16', after a small pivotal motion and a corresponding adaptation of the section part 14f', will be capable of also functioning in the desired manner in case of a smaller height of the ventilating channel. In such a case, the slanting part of the ventilating channel 8, starting from the mouth 9, must of course be adapted as well, which can be realized by means of a section part 2a' indicated by a thin line.

In the modified embodiment of the pivot valve shown in Fig. 2, a section 24 comparable with the section 14 in Fig. 1 is present, which section 24 must be fixedly mounted in the housing of the ventilating device. The section 24 comprises a section part 24a to be slantingly mounted in the housing, terminating in a valve pivot 24b. Adjoining the section part 24a is one end of a section part 24c, which is about quarter circular in cross-section. The other end of the section part 24c carries receiving means 24d for accommodating the sealing element 25. Adjoining the receiving means 24d is a section part 24e, which is L-shaped in cross-section, and of which the leg adjoining the receiving means is directed substantially horizontally. Adjoining the other leg of the L-shaped section part 24e is a section part 24f which extends substantially horizontally.

Pivotally mounted on the valve pivot 24b is a pivot valve element 26. The pivot valve element 26 comprises a valve surface composed of a valve surface part 26a' which, in the open position of the pivot valve element 26 shown in Fig. 2, slants slightly upwards from the valve pivot 24b, that is to say preferably at an angle of at least 70 to the horizontal, and of a valve pivot part 26a" adjoining the slanting valve pivot part 26a' and extending substantially horizontally in the same plane as the section part 24f. Thus, the inner end of the ventilating channel flared according to the invention is formed by a part of the valve surface of the pivot valve element 26.

At its free end the horizontal valve surface part 26a" comprises a bent edge part 26b, extending parallel to the adjoining vertical leg of the section part 24e. The slanting valve surface part 26a' terminates in a bearing part 26c capable of pivotally cooperating with the valve pivot 24b. The bearing part 26c comprises a radially extending section part 26d, to the end of which is attached a section part 26e, which is about quarter circular in cross-section, and which is concentrically arranged with respect to the section part 24e and has an outer surface comprising longitudinal ribs 26e', which outer surface can sealingly cooperate with the sealing element 25. This last suitably comprises flexible bristles.

Included between these bristles 25a is an elastic strip 25b made of plastic, e.g. PVC, which strip has a length and stiffness such that it can rattlingly cooperate with the longitudinal ribs 26e'. There is thus provided a possibilty of arresting the pivot valve element 26 in a large number of positions.

Near the transistion to the horizontal valve surface part 26a" the bent edge part 26b comprises a longitudinal rib 26b'.

By providing the sealing element 12 shown in Fig. 1 in the manner of the sealing element 25 with an elastic strip such that, in the closing position of the valve, it engages behind the longitudinal rib 26b', there is simply provided a possibility of arresting of the pivot valve element 26 in the closed position. Moreover, this arresting will considerably improve the wind tightness in the closed position.

It is self-evident that within the framework of the invention as set forth in the appended claims many further modifications and variants are possible. Thus, for instance, modifications with respect to the pivot valve element 16 and the section 10 have already been mentioned and discussed.

There has also been indicated a possibility of using a similar pivot valve element 16 in case of a smaller height of the ventilating channel. It will be clear that this enables the creation of a wide range of channel heights, always using the same pivot valve element, the slant of the valve surface increasing according as the height of the ventilating channel decreases. Although Fig. 1 shows only one ventilating channel, there may also be arranged in a housing two or more superjacent ventilating channels, which all open into the same space before the closing plate 13, in which connection, e.g., with the diverging lower wall of a superjacent ventilating channel meeting the upper wall of a subjacent ventilating channel.

Claims

1. A sound-damping ventilating device comprising a boxshaped housing which is substantially elongated in the direction of its width and has a slotted ventilating channel terminating at both ends in a mouth forming a gap in a housing wall, said ventilating channel comprising slot walls partly formed by sound-damping material and, at least in the vicinity of one mouth, by water-resistant material, and said ventilating channel, starting from said one mouth in the direction of the other mouth closable by a valve element, being formed by a part extending slantingly upwards and being substantially constant in cross-section, and merging into a less slanting part having substantially the same constant cross-section as the slanting part, characterized in that, viewed in the direction of the other mouth, the last portion of the less slanting part has an increasing cross-section.

2. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the last portion of the less slanting part has an evenly increasing cross-section.

3. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the increasing cross-section is obtained by a diverging arrangement of one of the walls of the last portion of the less slanting part relative to the other wall of said portion.

4. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the divergence is at least 70.

5. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the increasing cross-section is obtained by a diverging arrangement of the lower wall of the last portion of the less slanting part relative to the upper wall of said portion.

6. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least part of the divergingly arranged lower wall is formed by a valve surface of a pivot valve element for closing the other mouth of the ventilating channel if this valve element is in the open position.

7. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivot valve can be elastically secured in different positions by means of a flexible arresting strip capable of cooperating with ribs arranged on a cylindrical part of the valve element.

8. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the pivot valve can be elastically secured in the closed position by means of a flexible arresting strip which in said position can engage behind a rib.

9. A sound-damping ventilating device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the flexible arresting strip is included in sealing means.

10. A sound-damping ventilating device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.