GB2355067A

GB2355067A - Ventilation systems

Info

Publication number: GB2355067A
Application number: GB9915386A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Rideout; Justin Neil John Llewelyn
Original assignee: Building Product Design Ltd
Current assignee: Building Product Design Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-01
Filing date: 1999-07-01
Publication date: 2001-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-01
Also published as: GB9915386D0; GB2355067B

Abstract

An outlet structure (1) for a building ventilation system has one or more air-flow openings thereto. There is a louvre arrangement over the or each air-flow opening that has innermost (7) and outermost (8) sets of louvres. The louvres are arranged in spaced apart side by side disposition so as to define elongate apertures (9) therebetween, and are in inclined planes so as to extend at an angle over the apertures. The sets of louvres are disposed in mutually superimposed relationship so that the louvres of one set extend transversely relative to the louvres of the other set.

Description

2355067 VENTILATION SYSTEMS This invention relates to ventilation outlets

for building ventilation systems.

With building ventilation systems having ducts terminating at roof top outlets, there is a requirement for an outlet structure of compact construction which permits a high level of air flow whilst giving good weather resistance.

Louvres provide a convenient means of protecting outlet openings against ingress of rain and other adverse weather conditions whilst at the same time permitting adequate levels of air flow with a compact construction. However there are limitations to the weather resistance which can be achieved with conventional louvre arrangements of the kind comprising a single set of horizontal louvre strips mounted in inclined planes and arranged in spaced side by side disposition. Rain can, for example, be readily blown through the gaps defined between the louvre strips.

An object of the invention is to provide a convenient and compact outlet structure for a building ventilation system with which high levels of air flow are attainable with improved weather resistance.

According to the invention therefore there is provided an outlet structure for a building ventilation system, said structure having an air- flow opening thereto and a louvre arrangement over the opening to provide weather resistance characterised in that the louvre arrangement comprises first and second sets of louvres such sets being disposed in mutually superimposed relationship and extending transversely one relative to the other.

With this arrangement, the use of louvres gives rise to a particularly convenient and compact structure capable of permitting high levels of air flow with a relatively large ventilation area in a confined space. At the same time, the use of superimposed, transverse sets of louvres can give enhanced weather resistance.

By a set of louvres is meant a set of elongate members arranged in spaced apart side by side disposition so as to define elongate apertures therebetween, the members being in inclined planes so as to extend at an ang!e- over the apertures.

The elongate members of each set are preferably parallel to each other and are preferably in a common upright plane, particularly a vertical plane.

The two sets are preferably disposed parallel to each other and preferably also extend at right angles to each other. In a particularly preferred embodiment one set of louvres (particularly the innermost set) has vertical elongate members whereas the other set of louvres has horizontal members.

Other arrangements are also possible and the sets may be disposed other than with the members vertical and horizontal. The members may be at other angles and not necessarily perpendicular to each other.

Preferably the elongate members of the two sets of louvres are in contact with each other. This contact may take place at angled regions provided on the outermost peripheries of the members of the innermost set of louvres and/or on the innermost peripheries of the members of the outermost set of louvres.

In one embodiment contact occurs between an edge, e.g. defined by an outwardly angled periphery, of each member of the outermost set, with a flat surface, e.g. defined by an inturned peripheral region, of each member of the innermost set.

The innermost set may also have edges defined at the innermost peripheries of its members, and the outermost set maxy, also have flat surfaces defined at the outermost peripheries of its members, whereby the members of the two sets may be of the same profile.

It is also possible for the two sets of louvres to be spaced from each other.

The outlet structure may have outlet openings on multiple sides, each such opening being provided with sets of louvres as described above.

Members of the louvres may be arranged to contact each other at corners between the sides containing the openings whereby the louvres provide essentially continuous ventilation between the sides of the outlet structure having the openings thereat.

In one embodiment the outlet structure is of square or rectangular cross-section with a respective outlet opening at each of the four sides.

The outlet structure may project upwardly from a roof structure as a chimney terminal' and it may be provided with a suitable flat or inclined cover at its top. However, the invention is not restricted to this field of application and the outlet structure may be used for a wall mounted ventilation system, e.g. in plant rooms, or for any other suitable purpose, using passive or forced ventilation.

The sets of louvres may be formed from any suitable material, preferably aluminium or a plastics material.

The louvres preferably have the elongate members in fixed positions.

However, if desired, it may be possible to use louvre members which are Y pivotally mounted so that the apertures therebetween can be adjusted. It is also possible to use more than two sets of louvres and/or to combine the sets of louvres with other weather resistance structures.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a vertical section through one form of an outlet structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through innermost sets of louvres of the structure; Figure 3 is a detail to an enlarged scale of the part circled and indicated A in Figure 2; Figures 4, 5, 6 are respectively front perspective, side and plan views to an enlarged scale of one set of louvres of the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to Figure 1, a high capacity chimney terminal mounted on the roof of commercial or industrial premises comprises a generally square section upright structure 1.

This structure has a bottom cover portion 2 made of sheet metal (or other material) and which sits around the top of a ventilation duct 3 through the roof 4.

The side walls of the cover portion 2 are solid. On top of this cover portion there is a ventilatio.n. section 5 yet, to be described, and' on top of this the chimney terminal has a solid walled roof-shaped closure cap 6.

The ventilation section 5 has four sides each consisting of an air flow opening covered by a louvre arrangement.

Each louvre arrangement comprises innermost and outermost sets of louvre strips 7, 8 made from formed plastic (or other material).

The innermost set has vertical strips 7 which are equally spaced from each other so that corresponding parts lie in common vertical planes.

The strips 7 are of a common profile having a flat body part 10 inclined forwardly to the right as shown in the plan view of Figure 2, and having angled regions 11, 12 at the innermost and outermost peripheries.

-6 The outermost edge regions present coplanar flat vertical surfaces 11 extending parallel to the respective side of the structure.

The innermost edge regions present vertical edges 12 lying in a plane parallel to the flat surfaces 11.

The members 7 are fixed in position at their top and bottom ends by respective angle members 13, 14 the bottom such member being engaged with the respective periphery of the cover portion 2.

At the upright corners, the adjacent elongate members 7 contact each other and are secured together as shown in Figure 3. That is, the free edge 15 of the innermost angled region of one member 7 is fixed in contact with the flat surface 11 of the adjoining member 7.

The outermost set of strips 16 are disposed in identical manner to the innermost strips except that they extend horizontally. The same reference numerals, with the appended letter 'a' are used to identify corresponding parts.

The outermost members 16 are fixed against the innermost members 7 with the edges 12a in contact with, or in close proximity to, the flat surfaces 11.

At the upright corners, the ends of the members 16 are chamfered and in contact with each other and to the angle members 13, 14. The roof-shaped cap 6 is secured to the uppermost members 16.

With this arrangement, the gaps 9, 9a between the members 7, 16 permit high levels of ventilation despite the compact nature of the terminal, as a consequence of the relatively large area of the exposed openings. At the same time, ingress of rain and other adverse weather conditions can be severely limited by the inclined body parts 10, 1 Oa of the superimposed sets of louvre members 7, 16.

Moreover, the mode of construction of the terminal, utilising interconnected louvre members 7, 16 which define the ventilation structure and provide structural strength and integrity, permits particularly convenient and inexpensive manufacture.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

7

Claims

-8CLAIM9

1 An outlet structure for a building ventilation system having an air-flow opening thereto and a louvre arrangement over the opening to provide weather resistance characterised in that the louvre arrangement comprises innermost and outermost sets of elongate members arranged in spaced apart side by side disposition so as to define elongate apertures therebetween, the members being in inclined planes so as to extend at an angle over the apertures, such sets being disposed in mutually superimposed relationship with the members of one set extending transversely relative to the members of the other set.

2. An outlet structure according to claim 1 wherein the said elongate members of each set are parallel to each other.

3. An outlet structure according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the said elongate members of each set are in a common upright plane.

4. An outlet structure according to claim 3 wherein the said upright plane is a vertical plane.

5. An outlet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the two sets are disposed parallel to each other.

6. An outlet structure according to any preceding claim wherein the members of the sets extend at right angles to each other.

7. An outlet structure to claim 6 wherein the members of the said one set are vertical and the members of the said other set are I I horizontal.

8. An outlet structure to claim 7 wherein the said one set is the innermost set.

9. An outlet structure to any preceding claim wherein the elongate members of the two sets are in contact with each other.

10. An outlet structure according to claim 9 wherein the said contact takes place between outermost peripheries of the members of the innermost set and innermost peripheries of the members of the outermost set, at least one of said peripheries having angled regions thereat.

11. An outlet structure according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the said contact takes place between an edge of each member of the outermost set and a flat surface of each member of the innermost set.

12. An outlet structure according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the said edge and the said flat surface are defined by respective said angled regions.

13. An outlet structure according to claim 9 wherein members of the two sets are of the same profile and each has an edge at its innermost periphery and a flat surface at its outermost periphery.

14. An outlet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the two sets are spaced from each other.

15. An outlet structure according to any preceding claim having outlet openings on multiple sides each provided with a respective said louvre arrangement.

16. An outlet structure according to claim 15 wherein the members of the individual sets of adjacent louvre arrangements are arranged to contact each other at corners between the said sides.

17. An outlet structure according to claim 15 being of square or rectangular cross-section with a respective outlet opening at each of the four sides.

18. An outlet structure according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate mernbers are pivotally mounted such that the apertures therebetween can be adjusted.

19. An outlet structure according to any preceding claim further including at least one additional set of members.

20. An outlet structure according to any preceding claim further incorporating additional weather resistant structures.

21. A building ventilation system incorporating an outlet structure according to any preceding claim.

22. A building ventilation system according to claim 21 wherein the outlet structure projects upwardly from a roof structure.

23. A building ventilation system according to claim 21 or 22 which is a wall mounted ventilation system.

I

24. A building ventilation system according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the ventilation is passive ventilation.

25. A building ventilation system according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the ventilation is forced ventilation.

26. An outlet structure and a building ventilation system substantially as hereinbefore, described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.