US20130233398A1 - Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout - Google Patents
Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130233398A1 US20130233398A1 US13/682,827 US201213682827A US2013233398A1 US 20130233398 A1 US20130233398 A1 US 20130233398A1 US 201213682827 A US201213682827 A US 201213682827A US 2013233398 A1 US2013233398 A1 US 2013233398A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- downspout
- air
- interconnected
- air inductor
- elbow joint
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 claims 18
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 10
- 210000002310 elbow joint Anatomy 0.000 claims 8
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 abstract description 20
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
- E04D13/00—Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights
- E04D13/04—Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like
- E04D13/076—Devices or arrangements for removing snow, ice or debris from gutters or for preventing accumulation thereof
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
- E04D13/00—Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights
- E04D13/04—Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like
- E04D13/08—Down pipes; Special clamping means therefor
- E04D2013/0866—Access opening for cleaning; Devices for avoiding cumulation of debris
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0318—Processes
- Y10T137/0396—Involving pressure control
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/3149—Back flow prevention by vacuum breaking [e.g., anti-siphon devices]
- Y10T137/3185—Air vent in liquid flow line
Definitions
- the present invention relates to gravitational draining systems, and more particularly, to devices that prevent clogging of downspouts.
- Gutters are mounted along the edges of roofs to collect water running off of the roof's surfaces.
- the gutters are mounted such that they direct the water, via gravity, towards a downspout which extends downwardly from the gutter and serves as a pathway to the ground/storm sewer/french drain for the water.
- the present invention provides an air induction device to be mounted to a downspout to induce the flow of air in a downspout.
- the air induction device comprises a tubular member that is sealingly fitted through the downspout such that it provides fluid communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the downspout.
- the air induction device is preferably mounted on an upwardly facing surface of the downspout and at a location where the downspout is extending angularly downward or at a bend in the downspout, thereby orienting the tubular member at an upwardly extending oblique angle relative to the downspout.
- a fan or blower could also be mounted within the tubular member to draw air into the downspout.
- the fan could be powered, for example, by a solar cell, battery, or piezoelectric energy harvesting device that could be actuated via the wind.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the device mounted on a straight run of downspout
- FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view of the air induction device mounted on an interior bend of downspout;
- FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view of the air induction device mounted on an exterior bend of downspout
- FIG. 4 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the air induction device.
- FIG. 1 an air induction device, designated generally by reference numeral 10 , mounted to a downspout 12 having an inner channel 24 , and having a bore formed therethrough 26 in fluid communication with inner channel 24 and the outside air 28 .
- Downspout 12 interconnects gutter 14 to a storm sewer/french drain/day lighting pipe or simply to the ground for purposes of carrying rain water and snow that runs off roof 16 and into gutter 14 .
- the present invention can be used with any gravitational drain systems, such as those employed on bridges, schools, factories, and apartments, including inside gravitational drain systems.
- air induction device 10 is mounted to the upwardly facing surface of a diagonally extending, straight run of downspout 12 , such as the portion extending along diagonal X-X of FIG. 1 .
- air induction device 10 is mounted to the upwardly facing surface of an elbow 18 , and more precisely to the interior angle of elbow 18 .
- air induction device 10 is mounted to the upwardly facing surface of an elbow 18 , and more precisely to the exterior angle of elbow 18 .
- the present invention may be thus used with any gravity drain having a lateral extending between elbows on an angle causing the speed of the rain inside to increase, thereby providing suction and preventing hydrolocking when used with air induction device 10 .
- air induction device 10 is mounted along an axis Y-Y that is perpendicular to the axis of the downsput 12 or the tangent T-T of the elbow 14 , and also to the upwardly facing surface 30 of a non-vertically oriented run of downspout 12 /elbow 18 to ensure that there is space between the water running through the downspout and the air induction device 10 due to the need for the running water to create a slight pressure differential between the open space within downspout 12 /elbow 18 and the atmosphere. This pressure differential creates air flow from the atmosphere, through air induction device 10 and into downspout 12 /elbow 18 .
- air induction device 10 may be equipped with a fan/blower 20 that is powered by way of a power source 22 .
- Power source 22 may be any conventional type of low energy power source, such as a solar cell, piezoelectric energy harvester (such as one that utilizes vibrations caused by wind to create and store energy), or a battery.
- fan/blower 20 can provide the means for inducing the introduction of air into downspout 12 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
An air induction device is provided for mounting to a downspout to induce the flow of air in the downspout. The air induction device comprises a tubular member that is sealingly fitted through the downspout such that it provides fluid communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the downspout. The air induction device is preferably mounted on an upwardly facing surface of the downspout and at a location where the downspout is extending angularly downward or at a bend in the downspout, thereby orienting the tubular member at an upwardly extending oblique angle relative to the downspout.
Description
- The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/608,812, filed on Mar. 9, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- 1. Field of Invention
- The present invention relates to gravitational draining systems, and more particularly, to devices that prevent clogging of downspouts.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Gutters are mounted along the edges of roofs to collect water running off of the roof's surfaces. The gutters are mounted such that they direct the water, via gravity, towards a downspout which extends downwardly from the gutter and serves as a pathway to the ground/storm sewer/french drain for the water.
- While leaves, twigs, silt, and other debris will sometimes create clogs in a downspout, in times of particularly heavy rain a clog can occur as a result of too much water entering the downspout at once and preventing the flow of air through the downspout. If the flow of air is restricted, the water will back up the downspout creating a clog.
- It is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide a device for supplying air into the downspout in order to prevent a hydrolock due to the lack of airflow.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.
- In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides an air induction device to be mounted to a downspout to induce the flow of air in a downspout. The air induction device comprises a tubular member that is sealingly fitted through the downspout such that it provides fluid communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the downspout. The air induction device is preferably mounted on an upwardly facing surface of the downspout and at a location where the downspout is extending angularly downward or at a bend in the downspout, thereby orienting the tubular member at an upwardly extending oblique angle relative to the downspout.
- Although the air induction device in and of itself will provide for the flow of air into the downspout by virtue of water running through the downspout, thereby creating a pressure differential between the atmosphere and the fluid pathway created by the tubular member, a fan or blower could also be mounted within the tubular member to draw air into the downspout. The fan could be powered, for example, by a solar cell, battery, or piezoelectric energy harvesting device that could be actuated via the wind.
- The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the device mounted on a straight run of downspout; -
FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view of the air induction device mounted on an interior bend of downspout; -
FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view of the air induction device mounted on an exterior bend of downspout; and -
FIG. 4 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the air induction device. - Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in
FIG. 1 an air induction device, designated generally byreference numeral 10, mounted to adownspout 12 having aninner channel 24, and having a bore formed therethrough 26 in fluid communication withinner channel 24 and theoutside air 28. Downspout 12 interconnectsgutter 14 to a storm sewer/french drain/day lighting pipe or simply to the ground for purposes of carrying rain water and snow that runs offroof 16 and intogutter 14. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that while the primary application of the present invention is for gutters used in home and commercial rain drainage systems, the present invention can be used with any gravitational drain systems, such as those employed on bridges, schools, factories, and apartments, including inside gravitational drain systems. - In
FIG. 1 ,air induction device 10 is mounted to the upwardly facing surface of a diagonally extending, straight run ofdownspout 12, such as the portion extending along diagonal X-X ofFIG. 1 . InFIG. 2 ,air induction device 10 is mounted to the upwardly facing surface of anelbow 18, and more precisely to the interior angle ofelbow 18. InFIG. 3 ,air induction device 10 is mounted to the upwardly facing surface of anelbow 18, and more precisely to the exterior angle ofelbow 18. The present invention may be thus used with any gravity drain having a lateral extending between elbows on an angle causing the speed of the rain inside to increase, thereby providing suction and preventing hydrolocking when used withair induction device 10. - In each instance,
air induction device 10 is mounted along an axis Y-Y that is perpendicular to the axis of thedownsput 12 or the tangent T-T of theelbow 14, and also to the upwardly facingsurface 30 of a non-vertically oriented run ofdownspout 12/elbow 18 to ensure that there is space between the water running through the downspout and theair induction device 10 due to the need for the running water to create a slight pressure differential between the open space withindownspout 12/elbow 18 and the atmosphere. This pressure differential creates air flow from the atmosphere, throughair induction device 10 and intodownspout 12/elbow 18. By continuously supplying a flow of air intodownspout 12/elbow 18, even in times of heavy rainfall, a hydrolocked condition will not occur within the downspout, and thus creating a backflow of rain water into and over thegutters 14. - With reference to
FIG. 4 ,air induction device 10 may be equipped with a fan/blower 20 that is powered by way of apower source 22.Power source 22 may be any conventional type of low energy power source, such as a solar cell, piezoelectric energy harvester (such as one that utilizes vibrations caused by wind to create and store energy), or a battery. In the event the rush of rain water throughdownspout 12 is not sufficient to induce the flow of air throughair induction device 10 and intodownspout 12, fan/blower 20 can provide the means for inducing the introduction of air intodownspout 12.
Claims (19)
1. An apparatus for preventing hydrolocking in a gravitational drainage system, comprising:
a downspout including a portion having an interior channel for carrying liquids along a non-vertical axis and an upwardly facing exterior surface; and
an air inductor having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis therethrough, wherein the air inductor is interconnected to the upwardly facing exterior surface of said portion to provide fluid communication between the interior channel of said portion and any ambient air.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises a straight run.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to straight run so that the non-vertical axis is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing interior angle forming a non-vertical tangent.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing exterior angle forming a non-vertical tangent.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said air inductor further comprises a blower positioned to force said air surrounding said downspout through the bore of said air inductor and into the interior channel of said portion of said downspout.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a solar cell, a piezoelectric energy harvester, and a battery.
10. A method of preventing hydrolocking in a gravitational drainage system including a downspout having a portion that forms interior channel extending along a non-vertical axis and that includes an upwardly facing exterior surface, comprising the steps of:
attaching an air inductor having a bore extending therethrough to said portion so that said interior channel is in fluid communication with any ambient via said bore; and
allowing said air surrounding said downspout to flow into the interior channel when a fluid is flowing through said downspout.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said portion comprises a straight run.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to straight run so that the non-vertical axis is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing interior angle forming a non-vertical tangent.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing exterior angle forming a non-vertical tangent.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of allowing said air surrounding said downspout to flow into the interior channel comprising actively blowing said air into said downspout by using a blower positioned in said air inductor to force said air surrounding said downspout through the bore of said air inductor and into said interior channel of said portion of said downspout.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said blower is interconnected to a power source.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a solar cell, a piezoelectric energy harvester, and a battery.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/682,827 US20130233398A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2012-11-21 | Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261608812P | 2012-03-09 | 2012-03-09 | |
US13/682,827 US20130233398A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2012-11-21 | Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130233398A1 true US20130233398A1 (en) | 2013-09-12 |
Family
ID=49112980
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/682,827 Abandoned US20130233398A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2012-11-21 | Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130233398A1 (en) |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US387961A (en) * | 1888-08-14 | Return-vent protector for plumbers | ||
US933279A (en) * | 1908-05-28 | 1909-09-07 | Lawrence E Welch | Waste-trap. |
US1268379A (en) * | 1918-04-16 | 1918-06-04 | Robert Nicholas Murphy | Sanitary trap. |
US1972774A (en) * | 1932-06-25 | 1934-09-04 | Hartwell Harold Edward | Closet |
US2575905A (en) * | 1949-09-20 | 1951-11-20 | Edward W N Boosey | Waste flow control |
US3381318A (en) * | 1965-10-22 | 1968-05-07 | Hermanus N. Luijt | Plumbing fitting |
US3894301A (en) * | 1973-09-17 | 1975-07-15 | Robert E Bunch | Integrated drain and vent system for sinks |
US4933996A (en) * | 1989-05-25 | 1990-06-19 | Sowards Edward W | Toilet deodorizer |
US6845527B1 (en) * | 2004-04-17 | 2005-01-25 | Guy Lindsay Kohn | In-the-wall plumbing trap with integral waste and vent line |
US20050074292A1 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2005-04-07 | Brookshire Ronald L. | Solar powered landfill gas extraction well |
US20060185733A1 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2006-08-24 | Mckee David | Gravity flow drain extension for a condensation drain line |
US7614092B1 (en) * | 2003-04-22 | 2009-11-10 | Turkman Samsam U | Power vented odorless non-overflow auto flush toilet |
-
2012
- 2012-11-21 US US13/682,827 patent/US20130233398A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US387961A (en) * | 1888-08-14 | Return-vent protector for plumbers | ||
US933279A (en) * | 1908-05-28 | 1909-09-07 | Lawrence E Welch | Waste-trap. |
US1268379A (en) * | 1918-04-16 | 1918-06-04 | Robert Nicholas Murphy | Sanitary trap. |
US1972774A (en) * | 1932-06-25 | 1934-09-04 | Hartwell Harold Edward | Closet |
US2575905A (en) * | 1949-09-20 | 1951-11-20 | Edward W N Boosey | Waste flow control |
US3381318A (en) * | 1965-10-22 | 1968-05-07 | Hermanus N. Luijt | Plumbing fitting |
US3894301A (en) * | 1973-09-17 | 1975-07-15 | Robert E Bunch | Integrated drain and vent system for sinks |
US4933996A (en) * | 1989-05-25 | 1990-06-19 | Sowards Edward W | Toilet deodorizer |
US7614092B1 (en) * | 2003-04-22 | 2009-11-10 | Turkman Samsam U | Power vented odorless non-overflow auto flush toilet |
US20050074292A1 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2005-04-07 | Brookshire Ronald L. | Solar powered landfill gas extraction well |
US6845527B1 (en) * | 2004-04-17 | 2005-01-25 | Guy Lindsay Kohn | In-the-wall plumbing trap with integral waste and vent line |
US20060185733A1 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2006-08-24 | Mckee David | Gravity flow drain extension for a condensation drain line |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20050257433A1 (en) | Rainwater collector | |
US20060191208A1 (en) | Customizable drain guard | |
US10053867B2 (en) | Apparatus for diverting water | |
US6041556A (en) | Gutter system | |
US20080022487A1 (en) | Debris Removal Apparatus and Method | |
US20130233398A1 (en) | Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout | |
WO2018054333A1 (en) | Pneumatic membrane building bottom fixing device and pneumatic membrane building | |
JP2005083180A (en) | Rain water circulating snow melting roof equipment | |
US8602066B2 (en) | Low profile conduit extension for downspouts | |
US20190093151A1 (en) | Water Directing Apparatus | |
US20110083375A1 (en) | Roof Valley System | |
US20180266715A1 (en) | Wind Powered Gas Extractor | |
RU163974U1 (en) | EMERGENCY DISCHARGE WATER NODE IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM | |
US20130065506A1 (en) | Septic system vent screen | |
US20120324803A1 (en) | Method and Device for Watering a Hanging or Potted Plant | |
US8832999B1 (en) | Roofing panel screen assembly | |
AU2006100723A4 (en) | Rainhead Arrangement | |
JP5543986B2 (en) | Ventilation structure and building | |
GB2524485A (en) | Improvements in or relating to guttering | |
US20170044758A1 (en) | Building drainage system | |
CN212507100U (en) | Outdoor drainage system | |
CN206328835U (en) | Collecting rainfall is used for the system of urban cooling | |
JPS6132032Y2 (en) | ||
RU2458218C1 (en) | Device to prevent icicles falling off external edge of roof | |
JP3213361U (en) | Adapter heater for ground-free drain pipe freeze prevention |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |