GB2486672A - Ventilation device, particularly for use with an effluent holding tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The ventilation device is suitable for mounting to piping and comprises a longitudinal housing having an opening at either end. An airflow inducing device, such as a fan, is mounted within the housing and is operable to draw soiled air through the housing. The housing may consist of a central section 3 and two end sections 1. The fan may consist of a blade assembly 8 and motor 6. The device may be controlled manually and/or automatically. The central section may include fixings 5 to attach the section to a wall using screws. The device may be attached to ventilation piping associated with an effluent holding tank of a recreational vehicle or boat via cylindrical connecting pieces 2, whereby the device draws soiled air from the tank for expulsion via an outlet port of the ventilation piping. The device may also be used in cooker hood extraction and general ventilation ducts.

Description

An Improved Ventilation Device The present invention relates generally to an improved ventilation device and more specifically, although not exclusively, to an improved ventilation device for use with an effluent holding tank.

Effluent holding tanks are commonly used wherein connection of a plumbing system to the mains sewer system is not possible, such as for example in mobile recreational vehicles or on boats.

The tanks are connected to the effluent waste pipe of a toilet located on the vehicle or boat such that when the toilet is flushed, the waste is transferred into the tank and retained.

One of the problems associated with the use of such holding tanks is the release of odour from the tank when the toilet is flushed. This principally arises when the aperture closing off the holding tank from the effluent waste pipe from the toilet is opened as the toilet is flushed. The odour problem is further worsened in toilet systems that do not incorporate a water trap within the effluent waste pipe.

There are several methods that are frequently employed to attempt to minimise the odour emanating from the toilet system and/ or effluent holding tank, including the use of chemicals to degrade the waste and reduce the associated odour. It will of course be appreciated however, that the use of chemicals is not only a costly option for the owner of the recreational vehicle or boat, but additionally presents complications for the sewerage authorities who ultimately have to process the waste and chemicals.

A further solution has been to employ the use of a fan at the top of the vent pipe that is connected to the effluent holding tank. However, this solution has varying degrees of efficacy and additionally may not be suitable for many recreational vehicles or boats due to the construction of the fan assembly and its necessary protrusion from the vehicle or boat This problem is particularly troublesome on narrow boats as the vent pipe terminates on the gunnel of the boat. In this instance, it is not possible for any assembly to protrude beyond the gunnel as this would result in likely damage to the assembly when the boat is being used or moored.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved means of odour elimination for use in conjunction with an effluent holding tank and/ or toilet system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved means of odour elimination for use in conjunction with an effluent holding tank and/ or toilet system that allows for installation in a variety of locations.

Thus and in accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved ventilation device for mounting in piping comprising a housing being open at opposite ends thereof and having a device mounted therein which acts to induce substantially longitudinal air flow within said housing wherein said device for inducing air flow is operable to draw soiled air through the housing and to expel it from said housing.

Preferably, the device housing comprises plastics material and is most preferably formed from at least two parts.

The housing is preferably open at either end to allow connection to ventilation piping such that the device becomes a component of the ventilation system.

Preferably, the air flows through the ventilation device uni-directionally such that air may be drawn through the connected ventilation piping, through the ventilation device and released via an exhaust vent which may be located at a distance away from said ventilation device.

The open ends of said housing preferably comprise a flange to allow connection of the ventilation device to ventilation piping in a quick and easy manner.

Most preferably, said flange joint created between the housing of the device and the ventilation piping respectively, creates an air and water-tight seal such that no further fastening means may be required to secure said flange joint.

The housing may also comprise fixing means to allow the ventilation device to be secured into position preferably in relation to a fixed structure including but not limited to a wall.

The housing may be capable of accommodating a fan assembly within the hollow interior of said housing most preferably in such a manner as to enable the fan to draw air through the ventilation device and subsequently preferably through the connected ventilation piping, when the device is in operation.

Said fan assembly may be electrically powered and most preferably capable of being electrically connected to a source of electrical power source, such as for example a power source supplied by a vehicle or boat, a battery or generator.

Most preferably, the wiring associated with the ventilation device is connected to said ventilation device via the uppermost aspect of the housing, so as to reduce the likelihood of contact with any moisture entering the ventilation system, including but not limited to condensation.

It is preferred that the design of the fan assembly contained within the housing is such that any moisture may be allowed to move past the fan blades without impairing the functionality of said fan assembly.

Preferably, the ventilation device is capable of being connected to a range of ventilation piping and systems including but not limited to systems associated with effluent holding tanks, cooker hood extraction devices and general ventilation ducts.

The housing may be variable in size between various embodiments so as to be preferably able to accommodate a range of either commercially available or bespoke fan assemblies.

It is preferred that the ventilation device is able to be fitted either as an integral part of a new ventilation system installation or as a retro-fit installation to an existing ventilation system. It is most preferable that such installation be quick and easy to effect, such as for example by use of flange joints to connect the ventilation device to the ventilation or other such piping.

The ventilation device may also be used in conjunction with further ventilation devices, such as for example by having a plurality of said ventilation devices in series across a length of piping, such as for example where there is a need to improve air flow through a significant distance of piping.

Most preferably, the ventilation device is capable of operating at a discreet volume, such that there is minimal disruption whilst said device is in use.

The ventilation device may be operated by means including but not limited to manual means such as for example by operating a switch or by automatic means such as for example by light-sensitive sensors. Said ventilation device may also be simultaneously operated in conjunction with, such as for example, a light switch or door sensor.

It is to be appreciated that the term ventilation piping as referred to herein is not intended to be restricted to ventilation piping but rather may also encompass other forms of piping or ducting as appropriate.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the ventilation device illustrating the components of the housing of the device and; Figure 2 shows a front view of the housing of the ventilation device in assembled form illustrating fixing means and; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the housing of ventilation device in assembled form illustrating the power input means, fixing means and also the open ends of the housing and; Figure 4 shows a side view of the ventilation device illustrating a view into the interior chamber of the housing and; Figure 5 shows a top view of the housing of the ventilation device in assembled form illustrating the power input means being incorporated into the top of the housing.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown an exploded view of the ventilation device showing the components of the device.

In the present embodiment, the housing comprises three parts being formed by a central section 3, and two end sections 1.

The central section 3 comprises a circular wall having opposite open ends each being capable of engagement with an end section 1.

The central section 3 retains the air-flow induction device, which in the present embodiment is in the form of a fan assembly, comprising a drive means 6, a casing 7 that engages with said drive means 6 and a blade assembly 8 that engages with the casing 7 to allow the blade assembly 8 to rotate on initiation of the drive means 6. The fan assembly is held in position on a fan assembly mounting 9 located within the interior chamber of the central section 3.

Said fan assembly is mounted into position within the interior chamber of the central section 3 in order that it remains fixed in this location within the ventilation device. In operation, the fan assembly rotates about a central axis and draws soiled air through the housing in a substantially longitudinal manner via one of the open ends of said housing. Said soiled air is then drawn past the rotating fan blades and expelled from the housing through an opposite open end of said housing.

In the present embodiment, the central section 3 also has fixing means 5 located on the exterior surface to facilitate secure attachment of the ventilation device to fixed structures including, but not limited to a wall or other such surface.

It will be appreciated however, that alternative embodiments may exist wherein said fixing means are either alternatively located on the device or are partially or wholly absent.

The edges of the central section 3 preferably comprise a flange 4 so as to allow secure connection to the end sections 1 of the housing. Said flange joint 4 in use facilitates an air and water-tight seal and it will be appreciated that said flange joint 4 may in certain embodiments also incorporate a washer comprising rubber or other such suitable materials, which may further increase the strength of the seal associated with the flange joint 4.

The end section 1 comprises a circular aperture at one end having a flange 4 capable of engaging with the central section 3. The end section also comprises at the other end a cylindrical connecting piece 2, having an open end located opposite to the circular aperture and also having a flange 4 capable of engagement with ventilation or other such piping so as to create an air and/ or watertight seal.

It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, said flange joints 4 may also comprise a washer or other such additional seal which may comprise rubber or other suitable materials, to further improve the air and! or watertight seal at said joint.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a front view of the housing of the ventilation device in assembled form wherein the end sections 1 are engaged with the central section 3 via flange joints 4.

The present embodiment also incorporates fixing means 5 that allow the housing 13 to be secured in position relative to a fixed structure including but not limited to a wall, by fixing devices such as for example, screws being positioned within the aperture 11 located on the fixing means 5.

The fan assembly mounted within the housing 13 is supplied by a power source in order that the drive means 6 of the fan assembly receives power to operate. In the present embodiment, said fan assembly is powered electrically from a power source such as for example a power source supplied by a boat/ vehicle on which the ventilation device is operated or an isolated battery, said electrical power being transferred from its source to the fan assembly by means of electrical wiring 10.

Said wiring 10 is located principally on the uppermost portion of the housing 13 so that any moisture including but not limited to condensation, is able to pass through the housing without coming into contact with said wiring 10 or without impairing the functionality of the fan assembly.

The cylindrical end portions 2 of the end sections 1 are capable of engaging with ventilation or other such piping via a flange joint 4 that creates an air and! or watertight seal between the housing 13 and said ventilation or other such piping. This arrangement enables the ventilation device in use to draw air through the ventilation or other such piping, so as to induce effective air flow within the piping network.

The present embodiment of the invention may be applied to ventilate odour from an effluent holding tank located on a boat or other vehicle. It is envisaged that when the ventilation device is in use, it is incorporated into a portion of the ventilation piping that is connected and one end to said holding tank whilst at the other end is vented to the exterior or the boat or vehicle. In operation, the odorous air within the ventilation piping is drawn up from the effluent holding tank through the ventilation device by virtue of the rotation of the fan assembly before being driven towards the outlet vent by virtue of the ventilation device and thus expelled from the vehicle via the outlet vent.

It will be appreciated that the invention allows for said ventilation device to be incorporated into a plurality of locations within the ventilation piping and if appropriate, for a plurality of said ventilation devices to be fitted at intervals along said ventilation piping to further improve the -10 -airflow within said piping. It is envisaged that this may be particularly effective in improving airflow within ventilation or other such piping wherein there is a significant distance between the source of odour and the outlet vent.

Referring now to Figure 3 there is shown an isometric view of the ventilation device illustrating the housing 13 in assembled form.

As previously described, in the present embodiment the housing 13 is capable of being connected to ventilation or other such piping via a cylindrical end portion 2 and corresponding flange joint 4. One end of the housing 13 connected to ventilation or other such piping will receive incoming air that is drawn towards the ventilation device whilst the opposite end will expel the air from the housing 13 to direct it towards an outlet vent so that it may be vented to the exterior of the boat/ vehicle.

The fixing means 5 are configured so as to allow the housing 13 to be fixed in position relative to a wall or other such fixed structure when the end sections 1 of the housing 13 are connected to the ventilation piping.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown a side view of the housing 13 illustrating the fixing means 5 in relation to the housing 13 and also illustrating a view into the interior chamber of said housing 13.

As previously described, the present embodiment comprises a fan assembly mounted within the interior chamber of the housing 13, most preferably within the central section 3 (not visible). The

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fan assembly then serves to draw the air through the ventilation piping and into the ventilation device housing 13 via a circular aperture 12 in the end section 1. The air is then expelled from said housing 13 via a circular aperture 12 located in the opposite end section 1 and is subsequently expelled via an outlet vent to the exterior of the boat! vehicle.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown a top view of the housing 13 of the ventilation device illustrating the housing in assembled form with the two opposite end sections 1 engaged either side of the central section 1.

The cylindrical end portions 2 of the housing are then able to engage with ventilation or other such piping, thus enabling the ventilation device to be incorporated into ventilation piping associated with the boat or vehicle's main ventilation system or a component part thereof.

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

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. An improved ventilation device for mounting in piping, comprising a housing being open at opposite ends thereof and having a device mounted therein which acts to induce substantially longitudinal air flow within said housing wherein said device for inducing air flow is operable to draw soiled air through the housing and to expel it from said housing.
2. 2. An improved ventilation device in accordance with Claim I in which the device for inducing air flow is a fan assembly, comprising a plurality of fan blades disposed about a rotor axis and being rotated via a drive means and wherein the improved ventilation device is mountable within ventilation piping to provide a means of moving air within said piping.
3. 3. An improved ventilation device in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 2 in which the ventilation device is mounted in piping located on a boat or recreational vehicle.
4. 4. An improved ventilation device in accordance with any one of Claims I to 3 in which the C\J ventilation device is mounted in flow communication with ventilation piping that connects an effluent holding tank to an outlet port located on a boat or recreational vehicle and r wherein use, the ventilation device is operable to reduce odour by drawing soiled air from the effluent holding tank through the improved ventilation device and expelling it through the outlet port via ventilation piping.
5. 5. An improved ventilation device in accordance with Claim 4 wherein the ventilation device is operable to expel odour from an effluent holding tank via ventilation piping and through an outlet port located on a side of a boat or recreational vehicle without requiring an additional externally located ventilation device.
6. 6. An improved ventilation device in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the ventilation device is configured to allow moisture to move past the fan blades without impairing the function of the fan assembly.
7. 7. An improved ventilation device in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the ventilation device is operable via a manual control means.
8. 8. An improved ventilation device in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7 in which the ventilation device is operable via an automatically activated control means.
9. 9. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. r c\J r c\J