WO2000024985A1

WO2000024985A1 - Channel module for building a system for ventilation of air

Info

Publication number: WO2000024985A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/001900
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven Hamp; Bengt Andersson Hamp
Original assignee: Pantha Rey Patent Ab
Priority date: 1998-10-23
Filing date: 1999-10-22
Publication date: 2000-05-04
Also published as: AU1429000A

Abstract

The invention relates to a channel module intended to be combined with other similar modules or construction units to form a system for ventilation of floor, wall or ceiling surfaces in premises, emitting unpleasant or unsanitary gases or dampness. The channel module is easy to install and, after installation, can be opened for inspection and closed again.

Description

CHANNEL MODULE FOR BUILDING A SYSTEM FOR VENTILATION OF AIR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a module to be combined with similar or other modules or units to continuous ventilation systems intended primarily for flats or premises.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, building technology has developed many new materials and methods. In many places, partly because of insufficient experience of such technology, serious problems have arisen consisting of the appearance of contaminated and insanitary air such as, for instance, unpleasant odours, spores from micro-organisms and radioactive gases. Such sanitary and environmental nuisances have increasingly been identified over the years and demands have been made for reconstruction of large parts of buildings in Sweden and abroad. Total re- construction of buildings would be costly and methods have therefore been developed to remedy the damage incurred. Thus, the Swedish patent 9201408-3 describes a method for dehumidifying water-damaged building constructions, for instance floors in premises or flats. The dehumidification is achieved by dry air being distributed evenly across a water-damaged floor after the water-damaged surface flooring has been removed and a new surface flooring has been laid down. A stream of air is thus distributed between the water-damaged subfloor and evenly across the new surface flooring by means of ventilation channels placed therebetween. An advantage, amongst others, of this method is that the drying period can be extended and can continue over a long period of time while the premises or flats are being used for their proper purpose. Considerable loss of income, which would otherwise arise if the premises could not be used, is thereby avoided for the building owner. The described method can easily be modified so that, instead of dry air being admitted, the air naturally dried by the heating of the premises is extracted via a system of channels similar to the one described above, thereby continuously removing the insanitary components occurring in the air, which is released outside the premises or flat so ventilated. Said channels consist partly of longitudinal, parallel channels, leading the ventilation air along the entire floor surface from one side of the premises to the other. The channels can be designed as corrugated sheets or mats of polymer material, which can be stiff or flexible. An example of such a corrugated sheet is marketed by lcopal AB (Ribbon matting or "channel matting") for similar purposes. For the admission and extraction of air to said channels, the system of ventilation channels is designed with ventilation ducts laid along opposite sides perpendicular to the above-mentioned channels, which ventilation ducts, moreover, distribute the air evenly to said channels by means of longitudinal slots. The ventilation ducts, of a conventional type available on the market, thus provide the premises with fresh, dry air on one side, while similar ducts on the other side of the premises constitute collecting main ducts for extracting contaminated air. The technique is particularly effective in all cases where the harmful components emanate from the floor, which can be the case with air or radon gas coming in from underneath, for instance.

The described method is also successfully used in cases where direct damp damage has not yet arisen, but where unpleasant odours or other nuisance involving contaminated air has been identified or suspected.

In certain cases, for instance when radon is emitted from construction materials, the harmful substances emanate from the walls and/or floors and ceilings of the premises or flat. In such cases, a corresponding method can be employed in which one or more of these construction elements is/are covered with a surface below which a system of channels for ventilation is arranged in a way corresponding to that described above.

DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

Several structural engineering problems arise during installation of ventilation systems similar to those described above. The first of these is that the system of channels described above requires a certain construction height for its purpose, which reduces the original ceiling height of the premises or fiat. This is a necessary but undesired effect and it is desirable to minimize the loss of ceiling height by minimizing the space required by the channels of the ventilation system. However, conventionally designed ventilation ducts, which in accordance with the above constitute main ducts, transporting the air to and from the described system of channels, if circular, require considerable construction height, as the cross-sectional area of such a duct should normally be at least approximately 100 mm² for it to operate effectively. Even closed ducts with a rectangular cross-sectional area, normally placed as main ducts adjacent to wails, will have a relatively high constructional elevation, i.e. in this case 10 mm with additions for double material thickness and adhesive, if used, on the subfloor.

Another problem with conventionally designed ventilation ducts is that it is difficult to fasten them to the subfloor. Various kinds of sealing compounds are normally used for this purpose; and large quantities are required, partly to fasten the ventilation ducts and partly to join them in an airtight way to the channels arranged perpendicularly thereto and at the joints so that an effective stream of ventilation can be maintained. In particular, duct bends and branch ducts diverging from the common main conduit (channel) require large quantities of sealing compound, of a kind known to those skilled in the art, to provide airtight jointing. The sealing compound can cause problems, of itself and because of the quantities involved, if the floor needs to be refurbished on a later occasion.

A further technical problem is that it is difficult to inspect the jointing of the ventilation ducts with the ventilation channels to check that the ducts are attached to the foundation and, simultaneously, joined to the ventilation channels in an airtight way. This problem entails that a leakage in some location that is not observed during the construction of the floor will necessitate part of the floor being removed, with consequent additional costs. A further problem is that is difficult to distribute the air flow evenly between the transverse ventilation channels, which can consist of a channel mat as set out above. This problem arises as the parts of the main channels for ventilation closest to the exhaust and admission fans, respectively, are subjected to greater air through-flow, and thereby greater static pressure, than more distant parts of the main channels. The closest parts of the ventilation channels are affected by a greater pressure difference and thereby subjected to a greater air through-flow than those with a smaller difference in static pressure, i.e. those more distantly located.

A further problem is that, with currently known ventilation systems, if the fitted and finished ventilation system needs to be inspected or replaced, the floor surface must be ripped up, which entails considerable costs for reinstatement.

A special problem arises in connection with the need for ventilation of wall materials, for instance in connection with wall materials that release radon gas or other radioactive components. In such cases it may be necessary to cover the walls with ventilating channels like the floors. It can then be advantageous, in certain cases, to be able to place a main channel for ventilation on the floor surface. In that case, airtight jointing with the channels/channel mat of the wall is desirable. Correspondingly, it would be advantageous, in certain cases, to place the main channel on the wall surface and join the channel to the floor surface in an airtight way. It also happens, for instance with respect to the ventilation of premises where a dormer ceiling slopes all the way down to the floor, that the main channel is required immediately adjacent to a wall that forms an acute angle with the perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

Ventilation of air containing volatile or malodorous substances, microorganisms or their spores, radioactive gases, aerosols or damp air in accordance with the principle that the emission source is insulated from the premises in question, as suggested in the Swedish Patent 92011408-3, for instance, incurs special problems as regards the construction of ventilation systems. For reasons of ventilation efficiency, it is desirable to minimize the quantity of air intended to transport the above-mentioned undesired components contaminating the air. This results in the ventilation system having to be so airtight that air does not leak out in undesired locations. Further, the system must not affect the pressure conditions in the other ventilation systems of the building in question. 0.08 dm³/m³ is noted in the art as a maximum value for the ventilation intensity of a second ventilation system. Conversely, these other ventilation systems must not affect the ventilation system intended to remove contaminating components from floors, walls, and ceilings either. This makes great and unpredictable demands on the balancing of ventilation between the special ventilation system for contaminated air from floors, walls and ceilings and the other ventilation of the building.

The method described in the Swedish Patent 9201408-3 has disadvantages in that it requires the admission of dried air and in that the supply transportation of dry air is achieved by overpressure. The special drying device is costly and the overpressure created during admission of air results in a risk of leakage of ventilation air to the ventilated premises.

Since the emission of air-contaminating substances often occurs evenly across entire surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings, it is desirable that the extracting ventilation also takes place evenly across these surfaces. This is very difficult to achieve, as air that is transported by means of positive or negative differences in pressure passes mainly through the passages where the air resistance is least. In this way, an uneven distribution can arise to such an extent that parts of the surfaces intended to be treated remain completely unventilated. Uneven ventilation also results in uneconomical utilization of the ventilation capacity and unnecessary loss of heat from the ventilated premises. For instance, in cases where damp is intended to be removed by ventilation to prevent microbial growth, uneven ventilation can lead to the installed system being inefficient and undesired microbial growth arising in less well ventilated parts. The risk of such unventilated surface parts is particularly great in cases where the devices for creating ventilation space above subfloors are designed as mats without channels to guide the air and only with heels shaped in said mat. Such a mat, commonly used in practice, is known under the name System Platon ®.

For the reasons stated above, it is desirable to guide the flow of ventilation air evenly across the ventilated surface in such a way that all parts are reached by the air. When fitting ventilation channels along walls and/or ceilings, an additional complication often arises caused by the presence of gaps and holes, through which the air will pass, rather than over adjacent parts. In such cases, there is a special need to adjust the flow of air after the installation of the ventilation system to provide a more even distribution of the ventilation air.

The need to completely close a ventilation system and insulate it from the ventilated premises makes great demands on the possible installation methods of the ventilation system. To fit and attach ventilation elements with nails, screws and other fixing devices risks causing damage to these parts that will make it more difficult or impossible to make the ventilation system airtight. A further difficulty relates to the linking of differently designed parts to each other so that airtightness is achieved. Another difficulty is that it is very difficult to examine all parts after installation, for instance for inspection of installation work or for the presence of dirt, dust and the like.

In heated premises, especially ones with high ceilings or where air can pass freely between areas on different levels, the uneven distribution of the heat, caused by warm air accumulating in the highest part of the premises and thereby being ineffective, presents a difficulty. Heat is lost here because of the increased temperature gradient between the air and the surface of the ceiling. Eliminating the temperature differences in the air constitutes a thermo-technical problem, especially in cold climates.

To solve this problem, electrical fans of a kind known to those skilled in the art are commonly placed in the ceiling to provide a downward stream of air. Such fans require considerable construction height, however, and it is therefore often not possible to use them, quite apart from the fact that they are often considered unsightly. Examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying 19 drawings, of which

Figure 1 A shows a cross-section of a channel module,

Figure 1 B shows a different positional image of the module in accordance with Figure 1 A,

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal side of a module,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a module,

Figure 4 shows the longitudinal side of the module with a cross- section of the ventilation channels, Figure 5 A, 5 B, 6 A and 6 B show different cross-sections of modules,

Figure 7 is a restatement of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a reiteration of Figure 3,

Figure 9 is a reiteration of Figure 4,

Figure 10 shows a floor with modules and ventilation channels, Figure 11 shows a module with a throttle element,

Figure 12 shows ventilation channels with a mat,

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the ventilation channels with a mat,

Figure 14 is a side view of module and mat,

Figure 15 shows an ensemble of elements in accordance with the extant drawings, and

Figures 16 and 17 show parts of that which is shown in Figure 15.

Figure 1 shows the cover 1 of the channel module and the bottom part 2 pertaining thereto, preferably fashioned in one piece, which can be manufactured by jet moulding with subsequent machining for the necessary perforations. The main channel is assembled from a series of modules with rectangular cross section, which are joined to each other or to other air conduit components. The channel module can be cut to suitable lengths if such adjustment is necessary for the premises in question. The joints between the modules can be made airtight by winding adhesive strips, foil or tape around the joints or by designing the modules with one of their open ends tapering so that it can b e introduced into the adjoining module and, potentially, secured with conventional adhesive. The cover 1 of the channel module, fashioned cohesively with the bottom part 4 and extended in a flap 1a beyond the front wall of the bottom part, can be opened outwardly, towards the premises or flat to be ventilated, by means of a longitudinal hinge 3. In its fitted position, the cover 1 is fixed to the front wall of the bottom part by means of a locking device placed along its underside and co-operating with the front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom part 4 is provided along preferably one of the vertical sides or, possibly both, with perforations 6, which constitute a passageway for the passage of ventilation air to or from the transverse ventilation channels 7. It is also possible for the cover to be designed with perforations to provide air circulation to channels perpendicular to the cover. In this last-mentioned embodiment, the advantageous ease of access for inspection of the channel module will be lost, as the cover can no longer be opened in this module part. Other adjacent parts of the main channel may still be accessible in the same way, however.

The material chosen for the channel module is preferably plastic, but other materials that allow an airtight hinge 3 between the cover and the bottom part 4 are also conceivable. Said hinge can be formed preferably by way of an attenuation of the material between the bottom part 4 and the cover 3 provided with a projecting part. The described design of the channel module with a rectangular cross-sectional area 5 and a cover that can be opened by means of a hinge 3, cohesive with the cover and the bottom part 4, enables quick and secure assembly of a system of pipe conduits with minimal construction height that is easy to join with transverse channels in an airtight way and which enables an even joint with the surface of the covering flooring and is arranged level with it. The system of ventilation channel modules can be opened and inspected, if necessary, by lifting the cover 1 projecting from the channel, or be removed with minimal damage to the remaining floor surface. The fastening can be provided by through-running screws that are attached to the subfloor, with through-running holes for attachment screws in the bottom part 4 of the channel module being made airtight by packings of a kind knows to those skilled in the art or small quantities of sealing compound or by pasting to the subfloor. The need for sealing compound is thus considerably reduced compared with known methods and the stability of the whole construction is significantly improved by using screws or adhesive paste. The design also facilitates the task of laying the channel module since it can be fastened to the floor a little distance from the wall, the parts thereby being more accessible than if fastened immediately adjacent to the wall as has hitherto been usual in similar ventilation systems. The modest construction height is made possible by the rectangular cross section of the channel, which enables sufficient cross-sectional area, usually approximately 100 mm², to be achieved by making the channel wide whilst maintaining a low construction height. The construction height can be adapted to the construction height of the transverse channels, i.e., ordinarily, the thickness of the channel mat. A small drop in pressure along the entire channel can thus be maintained, which is desirable for providing an even distribution of air to the perforations in the same and thereby to the transverse channels, i.e., ordinarily, the channel mat.

The purpose of the projecting flap 1 of the cover is to cover the transverse air channels 7 when using the channel mat described above, for instance, and to make the joint with these channels airtight so that passing air is made to flow between the channel module and the transverse channels in the desired direction without leakage to the surroundings or, in the case of a system operated by partial pressure, loss of suction pressure by air leaking in. The airtight quality of the jointing between the cover and the topside of the channels can be further improved by placing sealing compound between these parts. By using a cover, consequently, a covering carpet or flooring surface can be fitted independently of the channel modules in accordance with the invention and the jointing can be done with good precision to provide a minimal interstice between the covering carpet and the cover of the channel module. Inspection or alterations to the main channel can be carried out without damage to the covering carpet of the floor or, where the channel is fitted in or adjacent to a wall, to the wall covering.

The construction with a projecting cover results in a further advantage in that a good distribution of the ventilation air can be provided. This is achieved by not extending the channel mat all the way up to the bottom part 4 [MEANS 2!!!] of the channel module. An air gap along the outside is thereby created, which causes an equalization of pressure in the static air pressure in the longitudinal direction of the main channel and, accordingly, a more homogenous flow in all transverse channels.

To enable variation in the placing of the channel system formed by channel modules in accordance with the present invention along floors, walls or ceilings, modules can be designed with a flap of the cover projecting at an angle to the part of the same cover contacting the bottom part in an airtight way so that said cover can bear airtightly against channels laid in a different plane to the actual channel system. For instance, the channel system can in this way be placed along a wall surface, whilst the transverse channels in a channel mat are placed on the subfloor. A suitable embodiment for these purposes is shown in Figure 1B, the perforations preferably being made along the front wall or, alternatively, along the cover part. Even greater flexibility can be achieved if the projecting flap 1a of the cover is provided with a particular cohesive airtight hinge, likewise preferably formed by way of an attenuation in the material of the cover, which enables air sealing against a wall at an angle diverging from the plane of the cover 1.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to constitute a preferred but non- limiting embodiment in accordance with the present invention: a channel module of polythene-based plastic material fashioned in one piece with a length of 2.0 m, open at both short ends. The module is fashioned with a hinged cover 1 and a bottom part 2 with a rectangular cross section. The bottom part is fashioned as a channel with an interior width of 22 mm, depth of 6 mm, material thickness of 1 mm except in the front wall, which is 2 mm thick and which, at its upper edge, is designed as part of a locking device co-operating with the corresponding locking device in the cover. The locking part in the front wall is designed as a bowl-shaped routed groove in the upper edge of the front wall. The locking part belonging to the cover 1 is designed as a longitudinal distended ridge on the underside of the cover. Air sealing is provided by pressing the two locking parts together. If need be, the air sealing can be augmented by adhesive pasting. The cover 1 projects 18 mm beyond the front wall. The cover is cohesively connected to the bottom part by way of a hinge 3, designed as an attenuation in the material between the cover 1 and the bottom part 2. Perforations are provided along the front wall of the bottom part in the form of longitudinal slits, 50 mm long and 3 mm wide.

Figure 5 A shows a channel module fashioned as an open channel with side walls and a bottom part and a co-operating cover, with a rectangular cross-sectional area for the passage of air, when assembled.

The cover 8 and bottom part 2 can be manufactured in lengths suitable for distribution to users by jet moulding, for instance, with subsequent machining for the necessary perforations. The main channel is assembled longitudinally with several similar modules open at both ends with rectangular cross-sectional area to form continuous channels that can be made airtight at one end or the other, if need be. The channel modules can also be assembled with other components to form continuous ventilation systems. The channel module can be cut to suitable lengths, where such adjustment is necessary for the premises in question. The jointing between the modules can be made airtight by winding adhesive strips, foil or tape around the joints and/or by joining the modules by way of connection pieces inserted into the adjoining module pieces. Such connection pieces can also be used to provide channel bends. Figure 5 A is a side view of a preferred embodiment, where the cover 8 of the channel module projects on both sides in flaps 8a beyond the front walls of the bottom part and can be opened towards and from the premises or flat to be ventilated. In its fitted position, the cover 1 is fixed to the bottom part by means of locking devices 11 , which run longitudinally along its underside and co-operate with both the side walls and which in the closed position provide a substantially airtight seal. The bottom part 9 of the channel module is provided, preferably along one of the side walls, or possibly both, with perforations 13, which constitute a passageway for the ventilation air to or from the transverse ventilation channels 14. It is also possible for the cover to be designed with perforations to provide air circulation to channels placed perpendicularly to the cover. In this last-mentioned embodiment, the advantageous ease of access for inspection of the channel module will be lost, as the cover can no longer be opened in this module part. The cover can also be fashioned in one piece with the bottom part by means of a hinge 10. In that case, the hinge is substituted for one of the locking devices between the cover and the bottom part, and the cover projects as a flap over only the other side wall of the bottom part. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 6 A. Said hinge can preferably be designed as an attenuation in the material between the bottom part 9 and the cover 8 provided with a projecting part. Alternatively, the hinge can be provided by attaching the cover to the bottom part by means of adhesive strips or tape. The described design of the channel module with a rectangular cross-sectional area, bottom part 9 and a cover 8 that can be opened by means of a hinge 10, cohesive with the cover and the bottom part, enables quick and secure assembly.

Plastic is the preferred material for the channel module, but other materials that, either alone or in combination with sealing compound, provide airtight jointing between the cover 8 and the bottom part 9 are likewise conceivable. The thickness of the material is adapted to the material to provide sufficient solidity. When polythene-based plastic is used, the material thickness is usually between 0.8 mm and 3.5 mm for ordinary use.

Channel modules of the kind described above permit quick and secure assembly of a system of pipe conduits with minimal construction height that is easy to join with transverse channels 14 in an airtight way and which enables an even joint with the surface of the covering flooring that is level with the same. The system of ventilation channel modules can be opened and inspected, if necessary, by lifting the cover 1 projecting from the channel, or be removed with minimal damage to the remaining floor surface. The fastening can be provided by through-running screws that are attached to the subfloor, with through-running holes for attachment screws in the bottom part 9 of the channel module being made airtight by packings of a kind known to those skilled in the art or small quantities of sealing compound or by pasting to the subfloor. In this way, the need for sealing compound is considerably reduced compared with known methods and the stability of the whole construction is significantly improved by using screws or adhesive paste. The design also facilitates the task of laying the channel module since it can be fastened to the floor a little distance from the wall and the parts thereby are more accessible than if fastened immediately adjacent to this wall as has hitherto been usual in similar ventilation systems.

The modest construction height is made possible by the rectangular cross section of the channel, which enables sufficient cross-sectional area, usually approximately 100 mm², to be achieved by making the channel wide whilst maintaining a low construction height. The construction height can be adapted to the construction height of the transverse channels, i.e. the thickness of the channel mat. Ordinarily, the construction height is between 4 mm and 25 mm. The width of the channel module is adapted to the height of the channel available for the passage of air so that a sufficient cross-sectional area for the air is provided. A small drop in pressure along the entire channel can thus be maintained, which is desirable for providing an even distribution of air to the perforations in the same and thereby to the transverse channels, for instance the channel mat.

The purpose of the projecting flap 8a of the cover is to cover the transverse air channels 14 when using the channel mat described above, for instance, and to make the joints with these channels airtight so that passing air is forced to flow between the channel module and the transverse channels in the desired direction without leakage to the surroundings or, in the case of a system operated by partial pressure, loss of suction pressure by air leaking in. The airtight quality of the jointing between the cover and the topside of the channels can be further improved by placing sealing compound between these parts. Ordinarily, the flap projects between 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm, beyond the side wall. By using a cover, consequently, a covering carpet or flooring surface can be fitted independently of the channel modules in accordance with the invention and the jointing can be performed with good precision to provide a minimal interstice between the covering carpet and the cover of the channel module. Inspection or alterations to the main channel can be carried out without damage to the covering carpet of the floor or, where the channel is fitted in or adjacent to a wall, to the wall covering.

The construction with a projecting cover results in a further advantage in that a good distribution of the ventilation air can be provided between the main channel and the transverse channels. This is achieved by not extending the channel mat all the way up to the bottom part 11 of the channel module. An air gap along the outside of the assembled main channel is thereby created, which causes an equalization of pressure in the static air pressure in the longitudinal direction of the main channel and, accordingly, a more homogenous flow in all transverse channels.

To enable variation in the placing of channel systems formed by channel modules in accordance with the present invention along floors, walls and ceilings, modules can be designed with a flap of the cover projecting at an angle of between 0° and 180° to the part of the same cover contacting the bottom part in an airtight way so that said cover can bear airtightly against channels laid in a different plane to the actual channel system. For instance, the channel system can in this way be placed along a wall surface, whilst the transverse channels in a channel mat are placed under the floor. A suitable embodiment for these purposes is shown in Figure 6B, the perforations preferably being made along the side wall closest to the projecting cover flap or, alternative, along the cover part. Even greater flexibility can be achieved if the projecting flap 1a of the cover is provided with a particular cohesive airtight hinge, likewise preferably formed by way of an attenuation in the material of the cover, which enables air sealing against a wall at an angle diverging from the plane of the cover 1 by between 0° and 180°, for instance in the case of assembly adjacent to a sloping dormer ceiling.

EXAMPLE 1

A channel module of polythene-based plastic material fashioned in one piece with a length of 2.0 m, open at both short ends. The module is fashioned with a hinged cover 8 and a bottom part 2 with a rectangular cross section. The bottom part is fashioned as a channel with an interior width of 22 mm, depth of 6 mm, material thickness of 1 mm except in the front wall, which is 2 mm thick and which, at its upper edge, is fashioned as part of a locking device co-operating with the corresponding locking device in the cover. The locking part in the side walls of the bottom part is designed with tracks on both sides of the upper edge of the side walls. The locking part belonging to the cover 8 is designed as longitudinal clasping legs extending perpendicularly to the cover on the underside of the cover. Air sealing is provided by pressing the two locking parts together. If need be, air sealing can be augmented with sealing compound or adhesive. The cover 8 projects 18 mm beyond the side wall. The cover is cohesively connected to the bottom part by way of a hinge 3, designed as an attenuation in the material between the cover 8 and the bottom part 9. Perforations are provided along the side wall of the bottom part in the form of longitudinal slits, 50 mm long and

3 mm wide.

EXAMPLE 2

A channel module of polythene-based plastic material fashioned as two separate parts, both with a length of 2.0 m, one of which being a cover with a material thickness of 1 mm and with longitudinal components, on its underside, of a locking device co-operating with the bottom part and providing air sealing. The locking part of the cover is designed as two longitudinal clasping legs perpendicular to the underside of the cover with a centre-to-centre distance of 37 mm. The bottom part is designed as an upwardly open channel with an interior width of 35 mm, depth of

4 mm and material thickness of 1 mm in the bottom. The side walls have a material thickness of 2 mm and are fashioned, along both upper edges, with tracks co-operating with the clasping legs of the cover. Air sealing is provided by pressing the locking parts together. If need be, air sealing can be augmented with sealing compound or adhesive. The cover projects 18 mm beyond one of the side walls. Perforations are made along the same side wall in the form of longitudinal slits, 50 mm long and 2 mm wide. Figure 10 illustrates an over-all view, seen from above, of a ventilation system in accordance with the invention, where 15 represents a main channel for supply air, 16 a main channel for exhaust air and 17 a channel mat with an airtight overmat in accordance with the invention. The hatched arrows represent the direction of the forced movement of the ventilation air.

Figure 11 illustrates a main channel for supply or exhaust air 15 or 2, respectively, that can be opened by way of a cover 19, protruding beyond one of the side walls 20 of the main channel and provided with perforations 21. The drawing also shows a throttle element 18, placed inside the channel.

Figure 12 illustrates a side view of a channel mat 17 in accordance with the present invention with a tight-fitting overmat 22, channels 23 with passageways for ventilation air 24. Figure 13 A illustrates the channel mat 17 with tight-fitting overmat in perspective. The overmat ends a distance before the mouth of the channels, i.e. the edge of the mat.

Figure 14 illustrates, in a side view, the combination of a main channel 16 and a channel mat 17 in their fitted position, in which the protruding flap 19 of the cover of the main channel is locked to the side wall 20 of the same and provides air sealing for the channel mat, the upper part 22 of the channel mat being flush with the cover. The channel mat and the main channel are spaced from each other. In this case, the ventilation air passes from the channel 24 of the channel mat to the passageway of the main channel for exhaust air 25.

EXAMPLES

The following example constitutes a non-limiting embodiment of the invention described above. A room with a floor surface 4 m wide and 6 m long is covered with a ventilation system consisting of the components stated below. Main channels for ventilation of a type described in the Swedish Patent application No 9803651-0 are placed along the long walls, at a distance of approximately 20 mm, with the perforated side walls facing inwards towards the ventilated room. These ventilation channels have a rectangular cross-sectional area with a construction height of 6 mm and a width of 24 mm. The material thickness is 1 mm, except in the perforated side wall, which has a material thickness of 20 mm. The top side of each ventilation channel consists of a cover fashioned in one piece with the bottom part of the channel and hinged on the other side wall of the channel. The cover can be fixed to the bottom part of the channel by means of a longitudinal distended ridge on the underside of the cover co-operating with a hollowed recess in the upper edge of the perforated side. This cover extends in a flap 18 mm beyond the other side wall of the channel, the side wall provided with perforations for the passage of air. The ventilation channels are manufactured out of HD polythene as modules that can be cut to suitable lengths and fitted in an airtight way as a channel system. The channels are attached to the floor with screws through the bottom part of the channels. The end of each main channel not intended for the passage of air is made airtight with a special sealing part or with sealing compound, the jointing and sealing compound from lcopal AB, for instance.

Channel mats of HD polythene with a material thickness of 0.5 mm are used to provide air channels for distributing ventilation air across the floor surface between the main channels. The channel mat is fashioned as a corrugated sheet with an overmat on one side that is tight-fitting in relation to the channels so that a level topside is formed. Along one side, the overmat does not reach all the way to the mouth of the channels at the edge of the mat, but terminates 10 mm before this. The channels are fashioned with a depth of 5 mm including the material thickness of the channel so that the resulting total construction height is 5.5 mm. The channel mat, which is suitably manufactured in standard rectangular sizes of 2,000 mm in length and 1,600 mm in width, is cut to suitable lengths and widths to cover the floor surface and is placed with the flat sides covered by the overmat facing up, and with the channels aligned with the perforations in the main channels. The mats are placed with the edges having the flat overmat retracted from the edge at a distance of 8-10 mm from the main channels and fixed to the floor. Sealing tape of a kind known to those skilled in the art, manufactured by lcopal AB, for instance, is used to seal between the edges of the channel mats. Thereafter, strings of sealing compound of the same kind as above are distributed on the topside of the channel mat on the part where the level overmat is retracted from the edge. The projecting cover flap of the main channel is turned down to the channel mat so that the sealing compound spread there provides airtight jointing between these parts. The supply- air pipe is connected to a ventilation device that is placed above the channel mat and fixedly mounted in the room. The exhaust-air pipe is drawn to the outside of the room and provided with an exhaust-air fan, which ventilates the floor with a capacity of up to approximately 0.17 dm³/second. For ordinary use, a fan performance of approximately 40 W is sufficient and suitable for this capacity.

Figure 15 shows a practical example of how the elements described in the foregoing can be arranged so that a floor surface is obtained which is capable of decontamination. Accordingly, Figure 15 shows a floor 26 which has a channel 30 and 32 at each end, which channels are assembled from a number of modules and which channels are also provided with openings 31. A channel mat 29, manufactured out of any chosen material whatsoever, is arranged between the two channels. The channel mat forms channels between the wall openings 31, which are present on both channels 30 and 32. The channel 30 has a suction device 41 that supplies air to the channel from the room where the floor 26 is located. A foil 28 is placed above the channel mat and makes the channel mat airtight in that the edges of the foil are attached to the walls 33 and 34 adjoining the floor 26 in one way or another. The junction must be airtight. An ordinary carpet 27 is then placed above the foil 28. The channel 32 is via a discharge pipe 39 connected to a suction fan 38, having an outlet 40. Two sensor bodies 35 and 36 are arranged in the channel 32 and linked to a computer 37, which transfers control functions to the fan 38. The sensor bodies 35 and 36 gauge the air humidity and temperature and in this way the local environment in the room can be controlled to maintain a normal local environment in the room. It must be obvious that the channels 30 and 32 can have any shape whatsoever, provided that the described purpose is fulfilled and, further, that it is easy to inspect the channels, by reason of their having an easily accessible part that can be opened. The described environmentally-sanitizing floor can give rise to a number of different applications. Thus, the walls of rooms can also be provided with an equivalent arrangement and it is even possible to devise plates that can be placed in any chosen location and thereby provide sanitization. Of course, the sheets must have inlet suction by one of the channels and an exhaust-suction device by the opposite channel and be provided with sensor bodies to regulate the local environment.

Claims

1. A channel module for ventilation of air in a flat or premises, c h a racte ri ze d i n th at said channel module is cohesively fashioned in one or more pieces with a rectangular cross- sectional area (5) where one or more channel modules can be joined to each other depending on desired channel length for ventilation of air, in which each channel module can be opened from its outward side, facing towards said flat or premises, by means of a cover (1), hinged along one of its longitudinal edges and forming a flap (1a) projecting over the other edge of the bottom part (2) of the channel module, at which point the cover (1) is provided with a locking device (4) co-operating with the bottom part (2) of the channel module and designed to fix the cover (1), in its closed position, to one of the side walls of the channel module, thereby forming a channel module open at both transversal ends and provided with perforations (6) along one or both of its side walls to distribute air passing through the channel and dispersing from the channel through said perforations.

2. A channel module as claimed in claim 1, ch a racte ri zed i n th at the module is fashioned in one piece an d i n th at the hinged cover (1) has an outwardly- directed flap, which at the side of the bottom part (2) and level with the locking device and along its entire length forms an angle of between 0° and up to and including 90° with the part of the cover (1) contacting the bottom part (2) of the channel module in an airtight way.

3. A channel module as claimed in claim 1, ch a racte ri ze d i n th at the hinged cover (1) has a flap that is hinged at the edge of the bottom part (2) and level with the locking mechanism so that an angle can be achieved that is greater than 90° to the part of the cover contacting the bottom part of the channel module in an airtight way.

4. A channel module as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2, ch aracterized i n th at the hinged cover (1) is perforated for dispersing ventilation air.

5. A channel module as claimed in claim 1, ch aracterized in that the cover (1) is completely detachable.

6. A channel module as claimed in claims 2 and 5, characterized i n that the cover (8) has a protruding flap (8a) on each side of the bottom part (12).

7. A channel module as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized i n that the locking device (11) consists of a longitudinal groove co-operating with a longitudinal bead or flange.

8. A channel module as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one channel out of one or more channel modules contains one or more adjustable throttles.

9. A channel module as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized i n that a number of channel modules are arranged to form two assembled opposing channels (30 and 32), a channel mat (29) being arranged therebetween.

10. A channel module as claimed in claim 9, ch aracterized i n that the channel mat (29) is provided with a sealing layer (28) such as a foil.

11. A channel module as claimed in claim 10, ch aracterized i n that conventional flooring is arranged on the layer (28).

12. A channel module as claimed in claim 9, ch aracterized i n that one channel (30) out of the two opposing channels (30 and 32) is connected to an air intake (41) and the other channel (32) to a suction fan (38).

13. A channel module as claimed in claim 9, ch aracterized in that one channel (32) out of the two opposing channels (30 and 32) contains sensor bodies (35 and 36) measuring temperature and humidity, which sensor bodies (35 and 36) are linked to a computer unit (37) controlling the fan (38).

14. A channel module as claimed in claim 9, ch aracterized in that the two opposing channels (30 and 32) and the channel mat (29) are arranged on a plate to provide a transportable environmental sanitization unit.