GB2538544A

GB2538544A - Air vent baffler with reduced wind noise and draught elimination

Info

Publication number: GB2538544A
Application number: GB1508706.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gattie David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-20
Filing date: 2015-05-20
Publication date: 2016-11-23
Also published as: GB201508706D0

Abstract

An air vent cover device comprises two parts, the first part includes an interior circular wall/baffle 7,7D and its opening 10 fixed to the interior surface 14 of the air vent cover 1A; extended tubular male fittings 8 which locate and fix the first part to the second part which has respective female fittings 9, of which there are at least three. The second part further includes a circular collar 2A (2D fig.5) preferably of a varying edge thickness 16 and a vent pipe fitting 3A providing a locator to a hole made in a buildings wall (not shown); A larger diameter interior circular wall 11 to that of the interior baffle of the first section provides an external surface 15 with which initial air flow makes contact. The black arrows 20 in Figure 5 show the air flow through the parts of the device. This cover is intended to reduce draughts inside the building and also to reduce the noise of the airflow passing through the vent.

Description

AIR VENT BAFFLER WITH REDUCED WIND NOISE AND DRAUGHT ELIMINATION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vents or venting found on buildings usually located on walls or other areas of the dwelling where a vent can be positioned; to allow air to pass from the exterior to the building interior.

Background

The use of vents is known and enable various routes for air flow from internal or external areas of a building. These include the passage of air from external and internal sources; including for example; electric fans expelling unwanted internal steam or air and wood burning stoves drawing air inwardly.

Vents for continual air flow; which do not use internal electric fans are also common and widespread within domestic and commercial buildings. These have plastic or metal external covers with varying angles of air inlet to help prevent draughts and noise within or metal plates to the external and internal surface which have a closed or open mesh grid, usually; which allows air to flow but dust and dirt are kept out of the through pipe to the inside; due to the fine mesh.

These enable the building to 'breath' and are subject also to continued air passing through; this air is always subject and effected by wind strength and temperatures.

Thus these vents can and do allow draughts and cold unwanted air and noise to pass from the exterior of a building to the interior; this being due to the fact that there is nothing to prevent its flow.

Attempts have been made to reduce noise and the winds effect on the external vents and also reduce draughts but these often involve minor results such as reshaping the interior through hole or passage within the wall. One method includes narrowing half of the interior through passage to reduce and alter air flow directional effect. This attempts t a plastic or metal variant pipe which connects the external opening tc rnal but reduces by around half the interior capacity to carry air. This affects the abilities of the vents to carry out their function of 'venting'.

Other methods include altering the inlet of the air, which is the cover that is attached and fixed to the external wall over the inlet passage hole.

By changing the angle at which the air enters the inlet or altering the shape of the inlet itself; which may include other changes internally to the plastic or metal variant form; it is believed that air redirection and a 'baffle' or delay in the air route may achieve less noise and air flow speed. This however; again tends to reduce the amount of air that is able to pass within and thus a reduction in the capacity of the ventilation for that vent is resulting. Some vents have a cover facing down. This was intended to reduce the draft but fails to achieve this objective, these covers may have an opening that is directed in a downward manner, this will allow internal blowing of air to easily escape but because the opening to the external cover is in a downward angle, the wind has to enter in a less natural direction and thus much of the air flow is altered, to some restricted effect.

If an external vent cover is flat to the wall surface and allows direct and free airflow through its surface into the passage hole within the wall and thus through the internal cover or fan fitting and into the room; the wind causes the draught and noise and this increased upon varying wind strength; as aforementioned.

However; this direct flow of air is preferred because it creates the best results for air passage and benefits the building and the people within it. However; this very standard way of processing air is also subject to many issues and a balance between the two must be defined; wherein; air flow should be as natural as possible in quality and strength but also the reduction of draughts and cold unwanted air; along with any associated noise should be considered.

The disclosed invention provides a method and design by which; external air may flow in a more unaffected manner through a vent cover, into the wall passage hole and thus into the building, without creating draughts and unwanted cold air and the noise that can be created by wind is reduced due to the external form of the cover and partly the internal changes. The purpose of the vent is to allow air to be drawn into the house or building. Where air is being expelled, for example; a kitchen vent taking unwanted air out of the property, it was easy to fit flaps so that if / when the wind blew against the vent, the flaps would fall shut and stop it causing a draft inside, and the laps can open when the fan is switched on to blow the air out.

The problem to be solved.

When air is needed to be drawn into the building; the aforementioned flaps were not suitable as when the air was sucked in, the flaps would close and block the vent. For example; a wood burning 3es a lot of air, especially the oxygen in it which humans also need. vents are needed when a gas appliance is fitted, and when cavity wall insulation is installed. People normally block them up as they are a nuisance, but this is not advised and especially not suitable with a stove; as not only will it deny people the oxygen they need, but also the fire, which will not operate properly. The existing vents tend to just have louvres which do not stop a draft coming into the room when the wind blows against the vent and other attempts to alter the designs have proven to be too large, complex, difficult to fit (and therefore rarely fitted) with their solution questionable; while the others halve the volume of air allowed through.

The disclosed dome vent is for situations where air is needed to be drawn into the building, this vent allows air to be drawn in when there is a suction inside, for example; the stove is lit, but stops unwanted air coming in when the wind blows against the outside.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided a device that is located over the external inlet hole in a wall. This has means to fit precisely within this hole opening and is then attached to the external wall using known methods; such as screws and wall plugs. It can also fit over holes that are cut to exacting standards owing to its form and fitting design, in some installation cases the flange; which is the slight tubed opening piece that extends to the device is cut off. The flange is in place because ideally a flexi tube may be fitted between the external vent device and an internal one and this flange is the same corresponding diameter. The device is effectively a vent cover which has the ability to internally re-direct, baffle and affect the air that passes within it; upon suction; in such a way that the air effect on the interior of the building or room is changed. The vent cover is put in place and provides a circular collar which gives air inlet provision around its diameter due to a space being provided between it and the rounded dome type cover which locates over the assembly.

The central areas of the circular collar device comprise of at least two circular walls which are of different heights; however three are presented herein. These vertical walls arise from the collar surface. The wider of these is of at least 1 mm in thickness and provides a wall that has a height sufficient enough to provide air flow alteration on its external entry. To the interior of this wider collar are at least three female vertical tubed fittings spaced suitable within the circle; these will receive the male extension fittings that are located within the vent cover and thus hold the vent cover and the collar together to form the closed and fitted device.

To the centre area of the wider circular wall is a slightly higher circular tube that passes through the collar surface and extends outwardly to enable it to locate into the wall opening. This more central circular tube is of a more dense thickness than the wider; being at least 3mm to its wall depth. To the rear of the collar surface is an extended portion of the thicker central tube; because it passes through as a single piece to the exterior at the rear surface. This portion is slightly smaller than the diameter of the through hole which is made in the wall and thus it is able to be inserted and secured in place. Thus the circular collar section is in place on the wall surface and presents an extension of the opening that passes through the wall to the exterior within a lower circular wall. The dome cover is shaped in a semi-circular type variant which has a convex form. The degree of form and its angle of surface curve may vary upon manufacture and are restricted and dictated by the extent as to which the degree of the surface curvature may affect the way the air flow to its surface is directed and deployed over its exterior, to the inlet location to the collar opening and as it covers the entry hole area the --duces noise.

Because the dome cover is curved and convex the air is directed toward its edges. The opening and inlet area for the air is located to these edges at its diameter and enabled by the 360 degree opening area around the collar. This is due to the dome cover being seated slightly aloft of the collar when in place.

The dome cover is a plastic or metal variant and presses into position due to male and female elongated pegged fittings provided internally.

Air passes over the domed cover exterior and spreads to the edges of the cover, thus escaping in a natural route around the 360 degree opening of the dome and collar edge and thus passes within.

The air then contacts with the wider circular wall located on the collar surface and must do so because there is no other route for it to take once it has passed within the dome and collar opening. The air then slows over the top of the wider collar, this is possible because the top edge of the wider collar does not contact with the interior area of the dome cover; as it is lesser in size.

This space enables the air to flow over the wider wall surface to contact with the dome interior and pass back along a third circular wall which is attached to the domes interior centrally and is wide enough to pass between the wider collar wall and the thicker central tube to the collars centre. This dome located wall is of at least 2mm in thickness and sends the air flow in a route toward the base surface of the circular collar and then return up inside the dome wall again, to contact with the dome interior to the inside of its outer face and then passes directly out of the main thicker wall opening through the outlet passage to the vent located to the room interior.

This travel of the air flow over these internal walls affects its passage through the dome cover and circular collar device; reducing its ability to create a draught that is more forceful due to the change of air speed when the air enters the room environ. Thus a baffle effect is created; using a ring of internal walled areas that force the air to take a route that is far less direct than it would normally be. These are in effect a ringed structure of baffles. These rings form three in this example but this may increase to possibly provide an improved effect and seat within each other at variable heights which allow the air flow to pass over them in turn.

The outer ring, or wall, is presented in this disclosure to the base of the circular collar surface and this would be of a lesser height than that of the second ring; when the device is closed and installed, the second ring being found on the interior of the dome surface and passing between the space found inside the first ring and the final centre ring and wall air exit; the final ring being; in effect; a piece of pipe or at least of the size of a piece of pipe that would seat inside the hole made in the wall; under normally venting installation.

When air travels in its direct route and it is not interrupted from its natural path it is able to gain momentum and maintain a speed; thus passage through a normal vent opening allows for direct airflow into a room and therefore all of the advantages of ventilation but also the disadvantages that pertain to it.

Air blowing through a straight or curved vent passage creates a draught which passes into the dwelling or building. This also can create noise due to the air speed itself and its contact with the movable fittings to the vent exterior but also the slight compressing and forcing of the air as it has had to pass through the wall passage hole.

Many vents also have moving parts; such as flaps that open freely when wind passes through and cease to open when the air is still. These also create loud noises as the flaps flip open and close on a continual basis; this noise can also be created in this way by quite slight amounts of wind.

By sending this wind over the convex dome and up into the 360 degree opening around the device herein, the wind and air are forced to alter their route and trajectory before they enter the building, this is achieved and improved by using ringed walls set within each other before passing to the exit area, the dome cover; as aforementioned reduces wind noise due to the convex dome covering additionally.

Brief description of figures

Figures 1 show an example of the air vent and one example of its domed cover.

Figures 2 show an example of the air vent with its two components of the dome and the circular collar in an exploded view.

Figures 3 show an example of the circular collar in a dimensional view.

Figures 4 show the convex dome vent cover and its internal circular wall and male fittings.

Figures 5 show the circular collar and the black arrows indicating the route of the air as it passes over its walls and that of the dome interior wall 7D.

Figures 6 show a plan view of the circular collar. Figures 7 show a plan view of the dome interior.

Detailed description of figures

A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. This comprises an exterior vent cover 1; which is convex. A circular collar 2 which has a protruding portion from its interior to its rear facing side which is a vent pipe fitting 3. The vent pipe fitting 3 is inserted into the wall hole and passage 4 which is cut through the wall 5. Air flow 6 enters the vent cover 1 via a 360 degree opening space that is provided, as shown in Figure 1.

The exterior vent cover 1A may be of a slighter depth and increased curve; as shown in Figure 2. An interior circular wall 7 and its opening 10 is a fixture of the interior 14 of the exterior air vent cover 1A and extended tubular male fittings are provided, a single example of which is 8.

The male fitting 8 slots into a female fitting 9, of which there are at least three. The circular collar 2A has a varying edge thickness 16 and its vent pipe fitting 3A; provide location to a hole made in a wall exterior, or possibly interior. A wider circular wall 11 provides an external surface 15 with which initial air passing into the vent device will make contact.

This air would then pass to the exterior of the interior circular wall 7 and pass downward to the exterior of the opposite end of the vent pipe 3A, 12. After contacting with the dome interior centrally; not shown; the air will pass to the interior 13 of the opposite end of the vent pipe 12 and thus outwards thought the exit hole of the vent pipe 3A and into the building.

This passage of air over the ringed walls set within each other in conjunction with the dome vent cover provide a change in the behaviour of wind and thus air therein.

The exterior vent cover 1C is convex or domed, as shown in Figure 4 and has a suitably enduring thickness to its edge 19. The interior circular wall is centrally located and shown as are the three male fittings 8c, 18 and 17, as shown. These male fittings slot into the female openings 9E, 21 and 22 shown in Figure 6, securing the air vent cover and the circular collar together to form the device.

The air flow 20; as indicated with the black arrows in Figure 5, passes over all walls; or rings; as shown contacting with the interior circular wall 7D which is inside the dome cover and exits through the vent pipe fitting.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of the circular collar 2E which has the internal portion of the vent pipe 12E its interior opening 13E through which all final air eventually passes; the wider circular wall 11E, female openings 9E, 21 and 22, to receive male fittings from the vent cover.

The section which seats onto the top of what is shown in Figure 6, is shown in Figure 7 as a plan view. This shows the exterior air vent cover 1F and its interior 14E, interior circular wall 7F and its opening 1OF along with the three male

Claims

Claims 1. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise wherein; external air passes over the convex dome cover and through the 360 degree rim opening to the air vent; located between the rim of the vent cover and collar when they are closed together on fitting; internal grouped ringed walls located to the dome interior and the collar surface form a baffle as the wind and air pass over them eliminating draughts to the internal building on the air and winds exit and reducing noise to the vents external surface.
2. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise as claimed in claim one wherein; the dome vent cover reduces noise as it has no moving parts that can be affected by the wind and cover the entry hole with a convex smooth surface that deflects the winds direct effect up it.
3. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise wherein; the 360 degree air inlet rim area is in an opposing direction from direct wind contact as it is facing the wall exterior and a volume of the wind or moving air contacts with its dome surface instead of just its inlet.
4. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise as claimed wherein; an integrated group of ringed walls which protrude both from the vent cover interior and collar base surface and come together internally to form a combined arrangement of walls of differing heights; these differing wall heights in relation to each other, contribute to enabling the function of air passage and an effect on the air is created internally of the device, thus deriving the end result.
5. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise is designed to enable it to be installed with more ease; also as a retro fitting and does not necessitate a neat hole being drilled through the wall, enabling a D.I.Y fitting.
6. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise wherein; all components for noise reduction and draught illumination are contained in the one single external device
7. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise wherein; if a suction of any kind is applied to the interior the air can be drawn through the device; for use; for example with a wood burning stove or similar and would prevent a draught passing though when the stove or other utility is lit or functioned.
8. An air vent baffle device that reduces draughts and wind noise wherein, the internal ringed wall may have optional openings or sectional cut away areas to aid wind movement in variable locations to the diameter vertical wall of at least one section, the location, depth, size of these optional cut away or opening areas would determine their effect on the wind or air travelling within the device in relation to each individual location to the corresponding location of another on other ringed walls.