US3482503A - System for comfort conditioning structures - Google Patents

Description

Dc. 9, 1969 l.. J. JENN 3,482,503

SYSTEM FOR COMFORT CONDITIONING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. zo, 1968 i 4 sheets-sheet 1 4 Iig lill/11111111111"1,11111,111

INVENTOR.

Louis J. JENN' ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1969 L. J. JENN 3,482,503

SYSTEM FOR COMFORT CONDITIONING STRUCTURES Filed Dep. 20, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /ll/ U y B Ymw//L n INVENTQR. m LOUIS d. JENN ATTORNEY.

Dec. 9, 1969 L. J. JENN 3,482,503

v SYSTEM FOR COMFORT CONDITIONING STRUCTURES Filed Deo. 2o. 1968 4 sheets-sheet s 33 i`gurllv lllllllllll /1/ I I 35 INVENTOR.

LOUIS ILJENN ATTORNEY.

Dec. 9, 1969 L. J'. JENN 3,482,503

SYSTEM FOR COMFORT CONDITIONING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 20, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 II'lllll'l. Il

ATTORNEY INVENTOR Han/0 BY' United States Patent O 3,482,503 SYSTEM FOR COMFORT CONDITIONING STRUCTURES Louis J. Jenn, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Jenn-Air Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 693,483,

Dec. 26, 1967. This application Dec. 20, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. F241 /00, 13/02 U.S. Cl. 98-33 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A system for supplying fresh and recirculated air to the interior of a conventional building structure and conditioning same in order to provide a comfortable environment for the occupants thereof and the method of providing the building with same. Existing air spaces in the wall and ceiling construction of a conventional building structure are used and provided with inlet and discharge openings and air treatment equipment, for conducting both fresh and recirculated air to a fan which forcibly discharges same into the interior of the building structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 693,483, now abandoned, filed Dec. 26, 1967 and entitled System For Comfort Conditioning Building Structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a ducted system and method of providing same for Ventilating, heating, and cooling the interior of a conventional building structure are utilized to create the air duct thus eliminating the costly and elaborate installation of ductwork normally associated with system of this type.

Since in most populated areas of the world a substantial dilferential occurs between the day and night temperature in a given day, drawing in the cooler night air has become an accepted means of cooling many residence and business structures. The most widely accepted method of accomplishing this, is the attic exhaust fan which removes the air present in the living area, through the attic and thence to the outdoors. While effective cooling is obtained since cool night air is drawn into the living area through open windows and the hot air standing in the attic is exhausted to the outdoors, there are two undesirable features inherent in using this method. The first is that airbourne matter such as dust and insects tend to be drawn into the living area through the open windows. Secondly, it has been found that especially in warmer weather, if air is moved through the living area at a velocity wherein its occupants actually experience a breeze, a much higher degree of comfort is obtained, since the heat that they give off is more rapidly dissipated and their perspiration is quickly evaporated. Since the attic fan draws air in from the entire living area, a virtually enormous attic fan would be required to produce an eifective cooling breeze at any place in the living area other than directly in front of the fan or an open window. Accordingly, the use of a fan of this capacity would be prohibitive, 'both in terms of cost and the excessive noise it would produce.

In recent years portable, small, low cost window fans have become a very popular substitute for attic fans. These fans are usually electrically or mechanically reversible so that outside air can befblown into the living area rather than, as with the attic fan, exhausted out. While 3,482,503 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 ICC this creates an effective breeze in a portion of the living area in front of the fan, their actual cooling eiliciency is far less than the attic fan since they are usually far less powerful, and do not remove the hot air in the attic which continues to heat the living area hours after the outside temperature has dropped. Additionally, the window fans still present the problem of air-bourne matter being drawn into the living area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the principal aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for forcibly discharging outside air into the living area of a conventional building structure with a resulting degree of occupant comfort that has not heretofore been obtained at the same relatively low cost.

A related object of the invention is to provide a system and method of the type referred to in which the problem of air-bourne matter being drawn into the living area is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system and method of the type referred to which is capable of regulating the temperature of the air in the living area.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a system and method of the type referred to wherein existing air spaces in a conventional building structure are utilized to create an air passageway thus eliminating the installation of elaborate and costly ductwork.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an existing conventional building structure or one under construction with a system of the type referred to without any material modification or complex installation.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary vertical section in perspective showing a one-story building structure incorporating the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, illustrating the ceiling and outside wall construction of the building structure shown in FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the structure depicted in FIGURE 2, but taken from the opposite side of the outside wall and showing different structure in section; and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are fragmentary vertical sectional views illustrating two modified forms of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is an alternative construction showing the fan located in a sidewall;

FIGURE 8 represents an arrangement similar to that in FIGURE 7 but with a cross-flow fan;

FIGURE 9 shows the outside air intake opposite the fan; v

FIGURE l() represents an alternate form of the outside and inside air intakes. l While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, illustrative embodiments are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention .to the particular forms disclosed, but, on the contrary,r the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 4, a one-story building structure of conventional construction, generally indicated at 10, is illustrated and includes an outside wall 11, inside wall 14, ceiling construction 12, and a floor 13.

The outside wall 11 comprises Studs 19, an outer Surface 15, inner surface 16, a top plate 17, and a bottom plate 18. The studs, plates and the inner and outer surface are securely joined to provide a rigid as well as a relative air tight construction.

The ceiling construction 12 comprises joists 20 which are rigidly fastened to outside wall 11 at the top plate 17, and a ceiling surface 21 supported by the joists 20. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, rafters 22 are also employed in many building structures to impart additional rigidity along with supporting the roof.

In accordance with one of the important aspects of the present invention, provision is made for blowing outside air into the living area of the building structure 10, and uniformly distributing same without the necessity of installing an arrangement of ductwork in the building. This is accomplished by creating an air passageway from the exterior of the building structure 10iv to the living area, utilizing a pre-existing air space within the outside wall 11, and the space 26 bounded by the upper side of the ceiling surface 21 and two successive joists 20. As best seen in FIGURE 1, space 26 is enclosed and connected to air space 25 thus providing the building structure 10 with an internal air-passageway extending from a lower portion of the outside wall 11 to a portion of the ceiling 12 which is centrally disposed with respect to the living area.

In order to enclose space 26, a sheet of construction material 28 such as lwall board, plywood or the like, is sized to span the distance between two successive joists 20 and to extend inwardly from the outside wall 11 so as to terminate in a generally central position with respect to the living area. The resulting sized sheet 28 is then rmly secured to the upper edge of the two aforesaid joists 20 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4.

To provide air communication between air space 25 and the enclosed space 26, a portion of the top plate 17 of the outside wall 11, which is common to both said spaces is removed, which in turn allows air t freely ow therebetween. To insure that no loss of structural rigidity will occur at the reduced portion of the plate 17, it is contemplated that in the exemplary form of the invention a reinforcing member 30 of steel plate or the like will be provided in a manner as depicted in FIG- URE 4.

In carrying out the present invention, air communication is established between the outside of the building structure and the air space 25. To accomplish this, an inlet opening 33 (FIGURES l through 4) is provided in the outer surface of the outside wall 11.

In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, provision is made for drawing outside air into the inlet opening 33 and forcibly discharging same into the living area. To this end, a power driven fan 35 is provided and as best seen in FIGURE 2, is disposed with its intake side communicating with the enclosed air space 26, and its exhaust side communicating with the living area.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 2, the enclosed air space 26 is terminated just past the fan 35 by plate 37. It is understood however, that in a large or multi-room building structure, the enclosed space 26 could continue on to one or more fans. It will also be seen in FIGURES l, 2 and 4 that the enclosed space 26 is enlarged about the fan 35 to provide a plenum chamber generally indicated at 38. By providing the plenum chamber 38, it has been found, particularly in the case where the existing space 26 is relatively shallow, that improved intake conditions are obtained, which enables the fan to perform more efficiently. Additionally, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, that the provision of the plenum chamber 38 eliminates the necessity of a large portion of the fan 35 depending the ceiling surface 21 into the living area.

In accomplishing the aforestated objects of the present invention, provision is made to blow air into the living area, in a manner whereby the occupants thereof will experience the sensation of its movement. To this end, a diffuser is installed at the exhaust side of the fan 35. As seen in FIGURE 1, the diffuser 39, is incorporated into the structure o-f the fan 35 and is positioned with its discharge side at about ceiling height and is centrally located with respect to the living area. Thus, when the air passes through the diffuser 39 as diagrammatically indicated (FIGURE 1), it is uniformly distributed throughout the entire living area.

In operation, it is ,contemplated that the air discharged into the living area of the building structure 10, will be discharged therefrom through a partially open window 0r other existing openings. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a discharge opening (not shown) could be provided in the case, for example, of a relatively airtight windowless room.

In keeping -with another aspect of the present invention, provision is made to eliminate the presence of air-bourne matter such as dust and insects in the air discharged by the fan 35 into the living area of the building structure 10. To accomplish this, a filter 42 is disposed at the intake side of the fan 35. In the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the filter 42 is located at the inlet opening 33, which allows ready access for cleaning and replacement.

Still another important aspect of the present invention is the regulation of the temperature of the air discharged into the living area by the fan 35. To this end, a heat source is disposed between the exhaust side of the fan 35 and the diffuser 39. As seen in FIGURE 2, the heat source employed in the exemplary embodiment is a nned heating element 44 of the electrical resistance type.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the ar t that by disposing the heating element 44 at the exhaust side of the fan 35, the air is heated just prior to its being discharged into the living area, thus eliminating the need for the metal or insulated ductwork normally required to carry hot air in a ducted heating system. It is additionally pointed out that while the electric resistance heating element 44 is employed in the illustrated embodiment, it would also be in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention to use an alternative source of heat for example gas, oil or hot water.

In order to provide more eicient heating of the interior of the building structure, provision is made for the air in the living area to be continually recirculated across the heating element 44. In Afurtherance of this aim, an inlet opening is provided establishing air communication between the living area and the intake side of the fan 35. In the exemplary apparatus, this is accomplished by disposing an air inlet opening 47 (FIGURES l and 2) in the inner surface 16 of outside wall 11, between the two studs 19 which define the air space 25.

It is contemplated that the heating element 44 would be regulated by a thermostat (not shown) responsive to the temperature of the living area. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the instant art, that both the fan 35 and heat source 46 could also be controlled by any of several well-known methods such as a manual switch, a timer switch or the like. Y Turning next to FIGURE 3, there is shown a combination exterior-interior inlet register, generally indicated at 48 which finds use in the present invention. Referring to the drawing, it is seen that inside the register, there is a damper 49 which is juxtaposed between the outside inlet opening 33 and the interior inlet opening 47 and is adjustable so that either opening can be closed with respect to the other.

In the application of the present invention, if it were desired to cool the living area when the outside air is of a lower temperature, the damper 49 would be positioned to close inlet opening 47. Then as best seen in FIGURE l, when the fan 35 is activated, the cooler outside air will be drawn through inlet opening 33 and forcibly discharged into the living area where it would provide the occupants with a cooling sensation, and actually lower the temperature of the living area until a more or less steady state condition is established. As previously stated, the air would be expelled from the lliving area through an open window or other opening (not shown). If a continuous flow of fresh air were desired and the room was tending to become uncomfortably cool or humid, the activation of the heating element 44 would have the effect of tempering the air discharged into the living area to a degree that would restore and maintain a comfortable condition therein.

Under climate conditions where the temperature of the outside air is too low for the heating element 44 to raise it to a comfortable level before it is discharged into the living area, the damper 49 would be positioned to close the inlet opening 33 and any windows or other openings would be closed. Under these conditions the activation of the fan 35 would continuously draw the air in the living area through inlet opening 47, across the heating element 44 and discharge it back into the living area, through the diffuser 39.

Since the inlet opening 47 is located close to the floor level of the living area and the diffuser 39 is at ceiling level, the heated air discharged through the diffuser 39 will tend to force the heavier cooler air downwardly where it will be drawn into inletopening 47. It lwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that the continuous recirculation of the interior air where it is drawn in at its coolest point and discharged at its hottest point will continue to raise the temperature of the living area until it reaches a preselected llevel which is consistent vwith the comfort of the occupants.

Under certain conditions, it would be desirable to dispose the damper 49 in a position intermediate the two inlet openings. This would enable one to obtain the advantages of recirculation and yet still be able to add a desired amount of fresh air to the interior, a feature that is highly desirable for example if the living area became heavily laden with cigarette smoke.

In carrying out another important aspect of the invention, a cooling source is provided so as to lower the temperature of the living area in the same manner as the aforementioned heating of the living area is accomplished. To this end, a cooling coil (not shown) would be disposed in a position similar to that of the heating element 44 so that the air exhausted by the fan 3S is cooled just prior to its discharge. into the living area. Being that the placement of the cold source is not critical from a safety standpoint as is the heat source, it is understood that the cold source could be disposed anywhere between the inlet opening 47 and the diffuser 39 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, an attic installed refrigeration unit or heat pump could be installed in parallel with the enclosed air space 26. In the case of a heat pump, it -will be apparent that the heating element 44 could also be eliminated.

Turning next to FIGURES 5 and 6, there is shown two slightly modified type of the exemplary embodiment. FIGURE 5 illustrates a building construction of the multi-story type equipped with the present invention. In this type of construction the upper floor 50 encloses the space 26 in ceiling, thus requiring only the plate 37 to form an air passageway. Additionally the outside inlet opening 33 is shown in a position that is in line with space 26, andl would also find use in instances where it would be undesirable to have the outside inlet opening at a lower position or when the construction of the outside wall 11 does not include an air space within.

As seen in FIGURE 6, in a building construction having a sloping roof, the outside inlet opening 33 is provided in the eave planking 52 under the sofft area 54.

Referring to the embodiments shown in both FIGURES 5 and 6, it will be observed that the interior inlet opening 47 is still located at a lower portion of the inner surface 16 of the closed air space 25 in order to yield the most ecient operation of the recirculatory cycle of the present invention.

To accomplish this', it is contemplated that the mixing damper 49 would be positioned at ceiling level as depicted in FIGURES 5 and 6. In addition, if it were so desired or necessitated as in the aforementioned situation where there are no air spaces in the outside wall 11, it would still be in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention to dispose the interior inlet opening 47 in the ceiling surface 21 of the enclosed space 26. Means are provided for moving the damper as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

FIGURES 7, 8, 9 and l0 relate to a variation added by this continuation-in-part application. In FIGURE 7 a fan similar to that shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is located in wall 116 between studs 119 in communication with the duct defined between the studs and walls. A centrifugal fan 120 in FIGURE 7 is adapted to draw air upwardly through the duct defined between the studs and discharge it into a room. As described before, this fan may be provided with heating elements 122. The wall construction herein is similar to the wall construction previously described. At a location adjacent floor 124, an air intake 126 is provided in the wall defining inside and outside air intakes communicating with the duct leading to fan 120.

The air intakes 126 shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 are identical and like numerals are applied thereto. The intakes shown in FIGURE l0 is similar, but a different protective cover is provided therefor. The outside air inlet is defined by an outside frame 128 which is adapted to be received in an opening provided in the outside wall. The frame is formed to removably carry an air lter 130 located vertically therein in the path of entering air. Additionally a louver arrangement 132 is provided on the front of or entrance to the frame 128. The louvers are adapted to be removed permitting access to filter 130 or the -whole frame 128 can be removed and lter 130 reached from the other side. Inside frame 134 is similar in construction to frame 128 but includes an extending portion 136 at the bottom thereof. A plate damper 138 is pivoted at 137 from the extension 136 and. by handle 140 may be adjusted so as to totally close off either inside or outside air, or to apportion the air entering through each. An air lter 142 is removably carried by frame 134. The front or entrance to frame 134 is provided with a grill 144 through which room or inside air is drawn.

Like identifying numerals have been applied to the air intakes in FIGURES 7, 8 and l0 to indicate the same or like components. In FIGURE l0 a protective weather cover 146 is shown in place over the outside air intake instead of the louver arrangement of the other figures.

The damper 138 may be controlled by a room occupant to apportion outside versus inside air entering the duct. As shown, the damper may be adjusted to the extreme so as to provide all outside or all inside air.

FIGURE 8 shows a cross-flow type fan 150 located in the duct defined between the studs 119 and outside and inside walls. A sheet metal frame 152, received in the duct space, carries a cross-flow fan rotor 154 which draws air in from the bottom and discharges it horizontally through grill 156 into the room. As in FIGURE 7 a heating element may be provided at the outlet side of the fan for heating the air passing thereover.

The disclosure in FIGURE 9 is to an alternate form where the outside air intake is located opposite the fan, herein shown as the centifugal wall type used in FIGURE 7. A variation of the cross-flow fan could be used as Well. In FIGURE 9, a frame 158 is removably carried in the wall as before. This frame carries a filter 160 which is removable therefrom. Louvers 162 are movable from open to closed position to control the amount of air enter- 7 ing therethrough. At a lower portion of the wall adjacent the floor, a room air inlet as previously described is installed and may be provided with a damper.

A thermostatic control 164 responsive to room temperature is located in the room Wherever it is desired. This control determines the operation of the fan and heating element. The fan and heating element may be cooperatively operated or it may be desirable at times to operate the fan above.

Several forms of my invention have been disclosed herein in conjunction with the drawings. It is reasonable that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of my invention. My invention is to Ibe limited only by the scope of the claims following herein.

I claim:

1. A system for comfort conditioning the living area of a building structure having side walls and a ceiling comprising:

means enclosing a portion of the side wall to form a duct for passage of air therethrough,

means enclosing a portion of the ceiling to form a duct for passage of air therethrough,

means establishing air communication between said ducts,

means establishing inlet air communication to said ducts from the inside and outside of said building structure,

said inlet means including generally adjacent opposed and oppositely facing openings and damper means therebetween which upon manipulation apportion inside and outside air,

power driven air moving means disposed in communication with said ceiling duct whereby air is drawn therefrom and discharged directly downwardly into said living area.

2. The claimed subject matter of claim 1 including an air lilter in said means providing inlet air.

3. The claimed subject matter of claim 1 including heating means in the room discharge airstream for changing temperature of air passing thereover.

`4. A system for comfort conditioning the living area of a building structure having side walls, ceiling and floor comprising:

. means enclosing a portion of said wall to form a duct for passage of air therethrough,

lmeans in said side wall including generally adjacent opposed and oppositely facing openings establishing inside and Voutside air communication to said duct and having damper means operatively movable between said openings for apportioning inside versus outside air,

power driven air moving means disposed in communication with said wall duct whereby air selectively drawn into said duct is discharged directly into said living area. l5. The claimed subject matter of claim 4 including heating means in the discharged airstream for changing temperature of air entering the living area.

6. The claimed subject matter of claim 4 including an air lter adjacent said means establishing air communication to said duct.

7. The claimed subject matter of claim 4 wherein air is discharged directly into the living area at a level above said inside and outside air openings.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,566,772 12/1925 Roth.

1,939,908 12/1933 Markey.

2,928,330 3/1960 Brandi` 3,223,018 12/1965 Tucker 98-31 LLOYD L. KING, Primary Examiner

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