WO2016197239A1

WO2016197239A1 - Autonomous air vent closure system

Info

Publication number: WO2016197239A1
Application number: PCT/CA2016/050645
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Gervais
Original assignee: Hubert Gervais
Priority date: 2015-06-11
Filing date: 2016-06-07
Publication date: 2016-12-15

Abstract

An automated gas vent includes a gas flow sensing device which actuates a vent door control mechanism to open and close a vent door based on a sensed pressure within a main body of the vent. Increased pressure from an outside source such as a fan causes deformation of a diaphragm which actuates a switch such as a microswitch. A controller such as a printed circuit board (PCB) actuates a latching solenoid selectively to open and close a vent door. No power is consumed except when the vent door is opened and closed. A small battery and solar cell power the PCB and latching solenoid. An adjustment means such as an adjustment screw enables adjustment of the expected minimum air pressure. The vent may be self- contained and easily installable by laypersons.

Description

AUTONOMOUS AIR VENT CLOSURE SYSTEM

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to residential and commercial air vent closures such as vent hoods and makeup air vents.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many buildings are provided with exhaust vents to evacuate air from the interior of the building to out-of-doors. Typical examples include exhaust vents for residential clothes driers, bathroom exhausts, and stove hoods. Conventional exhaust vents are usually provided on an outside end of the vent with a hood to prevent rainwater or other material from entering the vent from above, and also typically include a cap to close an outside opening of the vent while air is not being exhausted through the vent.

[0003] Many conventional vent caps use a spring to return the flap to a closed position after the air flow stops. This spring is not adjustable to the fan exhaust capability and therefore can have unnecessary back pressure causing inefficient exhausting of air, or a very weak spring which results in inefficient closing of the vent causing back draft.

[0004] Current vent caps also have many sharp metal or plastic protrusions where lint and grease can accumulate and gradually block the vent. This requires frequent cleaning of the vent which is often neglected resulting in clothes dryer fires.

[0005] Due to the very fragile and weak closure of the flap or louvers, birds and rodents are able to open the flap and build nests in the vent. This too causes blockage.

[0006] Because the vent flap is weak and non-latching, the pressure differential between the dwelling and the outside air causes the flap to open and even oscillate causing noise and allowing cold/warm outside air into the vent. For example, in cold climates cold air can typically be felt in clothes dryers when it is several degrees colder outside as compared to inside a dwelling. This can cause condensation on the vent ducts which can cause damage to the insulation or finish in the home.

[0007] New regulations require that any device that exhausts more than 400 cfm from a dwelling must have make-up air provided. Current make-up vents are continuously in the open mode allowing cold and undesirable air into the dwelling for no reason.

[0008] While a multitude of power dampers are currently available, all require electrical power, may be connected to the fan source, and do not provide an air tight seal. High installation cost makes this option disadvantageous.

[0009] A combined mechanism for conveniently detecting a draft/no-draft condition in an air exhaust outlet, and activating a closure for such a ventilator outlet in a positive fashion without being electrically or mechanically connected to the ventilator fan, was taught by the present inventor in United States Patent No. US 5,081 ,913 and Canadian Patent No. 2,039,962. The device addressed many of the needs of an autonomous vent closure system.

[0010] It remains desirable, however, to provide improved autonomous vent closure systems that are less complex and have a lower cost of manufacturing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures.

[0012] FIG. 1 is drawing of a building having embodiments of an automated gas vent installed at outside walls of the building.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an automated gas vent showing a housing of the vent as transparent to enable viewing of internal components of the automated gas vent.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the automated gas vent of FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the automated gas vent of FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the automated gas vent of FIG. 2. [0017] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view of the automated gas vent of FIG. 2 showing the gas flow sensing device, vent door control mechanism, vent door arm, vent door, and adjusting screw in isolation. DESCRIPTION

[0018] An automated gas vent 10 and automated gas vent system 420 are shown in FIG's 1-6. The automated gas vent 10 and automated gas vent system 420 are useful for venting a gas from a building or other structure, wherein the gas may include air, or any other gas, or a mixture of air and another gas.

[0019] As shown in FIG.'s 2-6, an automated gas vent may have an outer housing 20, a junction plate 90, and a main body 30. A coupler or junction plate sleeve 100 of the junction plate 90 may be configured to mount fittingly and sealingly in an outside opening of a vent duct in any suitable manner as is known in the art. The outer housing 20 may be sized, shaped, and configured to couple fittingly with the junction plate 90 so as to define a space enclosing the main body 30. The main body 30 may be sized and shaped to define a main body channel extending from an opening in the junction plate 90 to adjacent a downward-facing opening in the outer housing 20. A vent door 50 may be hingedly mounted to the main body 30 at an opening of the channel of the main body 30 proximal the opening in the outer housing 20. The vent door 50 may be hingedly and selectively openable and closeable to close the opening in the channel of the main body 30. In various embodiments, the vent door 50 may include a single flap, or may include a plurality of louvres which cooperate together to close the main body channel.

[0020] The automated gas vent 10 may include a gas flow sensing device 80 coupled to the main body 30. The gas flow sensing device 80 may in one embodiment include a diaphragm 290, a diaphragm slug 320, a switch armature 330, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 390. The diaphragm 290 may be mounted to the main body 30 to close a corresponding opening, or pressure vent 280, of the main body 30. The diaphragm slug 320 may be mounted to the diaphragm 290 to couple the diaphragm 290 to one end 340 of the switch armature 330. Alternatively, the diaphragm slug 320 may be mounted hingedly at the end 340 of the switch armature 330 to position the diaphragm slug 320 adjacent, which may in contact with, the diaphragm 290. The switch armature 330 may be mounted at another end 350 of the switch armature 330 to a pivot mounted to or formed in the main body 30. The switch armature 330 may have a bump, or rise, or protrusion, or switch armature knob 370 positioned and sized to activate selectively a switch 380 mounted on a face of the PCB 390, wherein the PCB 390 is positioned and mounted to the main body 30 so as to dispose the switch 380 opposite the switch armature knob 370. The switch 380 may be any suitable switch such as a contact switch or a microswitch. The diaphragm 290, diaphragm slug 320, the switch armature 330, the switch 380, and the PCB 390 may together function as a gas flow sensing device 80 as described further below.

[0021] The automated gas vent 10 may also have a vent door control mechanism 60 for selectively and opening and closing the vent door 50 responsive to the gas flow sensing device 80. In one embodiment, the vent door control mechanism 60 includes the PCB 390, a solenoid fixation, or brace, or solenoid frame 220, a solenoid 170 which may be a bi-directional latching solenoid, a solenoid plunger 180, a vent door arm 190, and a power source 70. In one embodiment, the power source 70 includes a battery 260 and a solar panel 270, but may alternatively employ other power sources and means such as capacitors or hardwired electricity. The vent door control mechanism 60 may also include adjustment means, which may include an adjusting screw 210 which may be considered to have an outside portion 430 and an inside portion 440. The outside portion 430 may form a head, while the inside portion 440 may form a shaft. While the PCB 390 of the vent door control mechanism 60 may be the selfsame PCB 390 of the gas flow sensing device 80, separate PCB's may alternatively be provided for each of the vent door control mechanism 60 and the gas flow sensing device 80.

[0022] The solenoid frame 220 may be mounted to the main body 30 and may support the solenoid 170, which is coupled to and controlled by the PCB 390. The solenoid 170 may have a movable solenoid plunger 180 which is movably coupled to the vent door 50 selectively to move the vent door 50 into an open position or a closed position. In some embodiments, the solenoid plunger 180 is mounted to a first curved end 230 of the vent door arm 190 which is hingedly mounted to the solenoid frame 220 at the first end 230 of the vent door arm 190, and hingedly coupled at a pivot or hinge to the vent door 50 at a second opposite end 240 of the vent door arm 190.

[0023] The adjusting screw 210 may be mounted in a channel 200, which may be a threaded channel, formed in the outer housing 20 to receive the adjusting screw 210, and may be sized and positioned to contact the solenoid plunger 180 at an end of the adjusting screw inner portion 440. The adjusting screw 210 may be provided as any adjustably movable member such as a bolt or screw and may include or be coupled to a retaining washer or collar disposed on an inside surface of the outer housing 20 in order to keep the adjusting screw 210 in place. A slot 450 may be provided in the vent door 50 and/or vent door arm 190 to allow passage of the adjusting screw 210 to contact an end of the solenoid plunger 180 at a facing end of the adjusting screw inner portion 440.

[0024] The battery 260 may be mounted within the enclosure formed by the junction plate 90 and the outer housing 20, and may be mounted at the solenoid frame 220, and electronically coupled to power the PCB 390 and the solenoid 170. Alternatively, the battery 260 may be mounted external to the vent 10, and electrically coupled to the PCB 390 and the solenoid 170. For example, the battery 260 and connection to the PCB 390 and solenoid 170 may enable mounting of the battery 260 within a dwelling.

[0025] When an exhaust air fan coupled to a vent duct coupled to the junction plate 90 is activated, and when the vent door 50 is closed, air pressure rises in the main body 30 causing the diaphragm 290 to deform and expand. The diaphragm 290 may be mounted in the main body 30 at an oblique angle relative to a direction of flow of air such that the flow of air impinges upon a surface of the diaphragm 290. The diaphragm 290 when deformed and expanded in this way lifts the diaphragm slug 320 which in turn lifts and rotates the switch armature 330. When a predetermined air pressure for activation is reached, the switch armature 330 reaches, and activates the switch 380 which may be by contacting, depressing, or moving the switch 380.

[0026] When the switch 380 is activated, the PCB 390 is activated, and may pause for a preset length of time, which in one embodiment is 2 seconds. The delay may serve to avoid responses to false pressure bumps that may occur when a door is closed in an airtight dwelling, thereby causing a brief overpressure in the vent duct, and thence the main body 30. Following the delay, if the pressure remains above the predetermined air pressure, the PCB 390 sends an electrical direct current pulse to the solenoid 170 in the appropriate direction to unlatch the solenoid 170. The solenoid plunger 180 pushes the vent door arm 190 which is attached to the vent door 50 and thereby moves the vent door 50 to an open position. Optionally, a spring (not shown) may be mounted on the solenoid plunger 180 to assist movement of the solenoid plunger 180 to the open position, and ultimately to assist in positive opening motion of the vent door 50.

[0027] When the air pressure within the main body 30 decreases below a predetermined minimum level, the system is configured to close the vent door 50 as described below. If the vent door 50 closes while a source of air flow, such as a fan, remains active, back pressure will build in the main body 30 eventually surpassing the predetermined minimum level and causing the vent door 50 to open again. Thus, it is possible for an undesirable oscillation to be set in motion. It is desirable, therefore, to be able to adjust the predetermined minimum air pressure for closure of the vent door 50, above which the vent door 50 is maintained in the open position. This may be done by means of the adjusting screw 210. The adjusting screw inner portion 440 faces and contacts an end of the solenoid plunger 180 to present a physical stop to the travel of the solenoid plunger 180 thereby to limit the opening of the vent door 50. The adjusting screw outer portion 430 may be turned from the exterior of the outer housing 20 to adjust the position of the end of the adjusting screw inner portion 440 which faces the solenoid plunger 180. By adjustment of the adjusting screw 210 by turning of the adjusting screw outer portion 430, the extent of opening of the vent door 50 may be selectively limited, and to the extent that the vent door 50 is kept partly closed in this way a selective back pressure may be maintained within the main body 30. As such, the adjustment allows for maximum airflow to be reached while maintaining adequate back pressure within the main body 30 to maintain distortion of the diaphragm 290 sufficient to maintain activation of the switch 380 to keep the vent door 50 in the open position.

[0028] When the solenoid 170 is in the open position, no power is being used and the device is idle until there is a change in state of the air pressure in the main body 30.

[0029] In addition, when the PCB 390 sends the opening pulse to the solenoid 170, a signal may be sent to a make-up air device that is associated with the installation, opening as well to permit return airflow into the building. The system may be electrically coupled to the make-up air device for this purpose, or may also be connected by wired or wireless connection to a controller of the make-up air device. The make-up air device may be a passive vent, or it may be a powered make-up air unit with a fan or other means actively to drive a flow of air.

[0030] In order to detect air flow, the main body 30 may be shaped so as to create additional pressure on the diaphragm 290 by having the air flow directed towards the diaphragm 290. For example, the main body 30 may be shaped such that the diaphragm 290 is mounted at a portion of the main body 30 which is sloped such that air flow entering via the junction plate 90 is directed at an oblique angle toward a surface of the diaphragm 290. The main body 30 and diaphragm 290, including their size, shape, materials, and placements, may also be configured to function with any desirable air flow rates. For example, in one embodiment, the main body 30 and diaphragm 290 are configured for air flows greater than 50 cfm at the entrance to the main body 30.

[0031] When the exhaust fan stops and the air pressure within the main body 30 falls below a predetermined minimum air pressure required to maintain the vent door 50 in the open position, the diaphragm 290 returns to a normal, non- distorted shape. The diaphragm slug 320 is correspondingly lowered, thus lowering and rotating the switch armature 330, thereby activating switch 380 which may include releasing contact between the switch armature 330 and the switch 380. This may cause the PCB 390 to send a pulse to the solenoid 170 in a reverse direction, causing the solenoid plunger 180 to be drawn back into the solenoid 170 and latched in that position. In this motion, the solenoid plunger 180 pulls and rotates the vent door arm 190 about its mount to the solenoid frame 220, which causes it to close the vent door 50. No further electrical current is used.

[0032] As above, a signal may be sent to a make-up air vent cap to close. This may be achieved by a wireless or wired connection between the PCB 390 and the make-up air vent. The make-up air vent may possess a substantially similar configuration as the above, but omitting the gas flow sensing device 80, in which case the main body 30 is simply enclosed at the opening otherwise covered by the diaphragm 290. In such case, the PCB 390 of the automated gas vent may be coupled by wired or wireless connection to a PCB of the make-up vent, to cause it to open or close the make-up vent in coordination with the autonomous exhaust vent. For this purpose the PCB 390 of the automated gas vent may have a transmitter for transmitting an open or close signal to a corresponding receiver of the PCB of the make-up vent. By providing such an automated make-up air vent, costly installation and wiring of conventional make-up vents may be avoided, as well as the energy loss and resultant cost associated with conventional makeup vents that are always open.

[0033] The PCB 390 and solenoid 170 may be powered by a rechargeable battery pack 260, which may be a 12 volt battery pack or any other suitable configuration. A solar panel 270 may be coupled to the battery 260 to provide electrical current to recharge and maintain the battery 260 as required. The battery pack 260 may be mounted and housed within the housing 20, or may be located in the interior of the dwelling where cold climates exist and battery life would be greatly extended. The solar panel 270 may be mounted atop, or in an opening of, an upward-facing portion of the outer housing 20 so as generally to be exposed upwardly to the sun.

[0034] Optionally, the system may also be provided with a door position sensor (not shown) which may be mounted to the vent door 50 and at the main body 30 and may be coupled to the PCB 390 to measure or detect an extent of opening of the vent door 50. In this way, if a maximum extent of opening of the vent door 50 when in the open position is less than that existing at the time of installation, as set by means of the adjusting screw 210, such decrease may be detected and may be indicative of some problem such as accumulation of matter such as lint or grease within the system causing a drop in pressure. In addition, the PCB 390 may further include a timer to measure a time from actuation of the switch 380, and to trigger an alarm condition if a door open signal, which may encode an extent of door opening, is not received from the door position sensor within a preconfigured time, or if the door open signal does not indicate a minimum door open extent within the preconfigured time. The system may include a light or other signal means connected by wire or wirelessly to the PCB 390, and which may be mountable separately within a dwelling, for example. For example, the system may include a status indicator showing a green light when the automated exhaust vent and/or automated make-up vent are operational, and make show a red light when the vent door of either is not open. The system may include a sound alert.

[0035] A number of non-limiting examples of the automated gas vent 10 and automated gas vent system 420 are now described.

[0036] The automated gas vent 10 may have a housing 20 and a main body 30 housed in the housing 20. The housing 20 is mountable to couple with a gas duct. The main body 30 includes a main body enclosure 40 which define a main body channel which may be coupled to provide passage of a gas with the gas duct. The automated gas vent 10 further has a vent door 50, a vent door control mechanism 60, and a power source 70 to power the vent door control mechanism 60. The vent door control mechanism 60 is operable selectively to open or close the vent door 50 responsive to a vent door control signal. When the vent door control mechanism 60 closes the vent door 50, the vent door 50 closes the main body channel. The housing 20 may shroud the main body 30, the vent door 50, and the vent door control mechanism 60, protecting them from environmental factors such as wind, rain, snow, sleet, and sun. In some embodiments the housing 20 also houses and shrouds the power source 70. [0037] In some embodiments, the automated gas vent 10 further includes a gas flow sensing device 80 responsive to a flow of gas in the main body channel to generate the vent door control signal. In such case, the vent door control mechanism 60 may be coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device 80, the power source 70 may be coupled to power the gas flow sensing device 80, and the housing 20 may also shroud the gas flow sensing device 80.

[0038] The automated gas vent 10 may further have a junction plate 90 mountable at a wall 460 of a building 470. The junction plate 90 may have a junction plate sleeve 100 to couple with the gas duct to provide passage of gas with the gas duct and the main body channel. The junction plate 90 may further have a junction plate flange 1 10 to mount the junction plate 90 to the wall.

[0039] As indicated above, the main body enclosure 40 defines the main body channel, including a main body first opening 120 at a main body first end 130 and a main body second opening 140 at a main body second end opposite the main body first end 130. The main body first opening 120 and the main body channel provide passage of the gas with the gas duct and the main body second opening 140 when the main body 30 is mounted to couple the gas duct and the main body first opening 120.

[0040] The vent door 50 may be hingedly mounted at a vent door hinge 160 proximal the main body second opening 140. The vent door 50 may be movable hingedly at the vent door hinge 160 selectively to close the main body second opening 140 or to open the main body second opening 140.

[0041] The vent door control mechanism 60 may include a solenoid 170 which may be a bi-directional latching solenoid. The solenoid 170 may be coupled selectively to open or close the vent door 50 responsive to the vent door control signal. The solenoid 170 may be responsive to the vent door control signal to extend a solenoid plunger 180 to open the vent door 50 or to withdraw the solenoid plunger 180 to close the vent door 50. The vent door control mechanism 60 may further include a vent door arm hingedly mounted at the vent door 50 and coupled to the solenoid 170, which may be at the solenoid plunger 180, to move the vent door 50 hingedly to open the vent door 50 responsive to extension of the solenoid plunger 180 or to close the vent door 50 responsive to retraction of the solenoid plunger 180. The vent door control mechanism 60 may further include a solenoid frame 220 mounted in the housing 20 to support the solenoid 170. In other embodiments, the vent door control mechanism 60 may include any other motor to move the vent door arm 190 responsive to the vent door control signal, and may include, for example, a DC electric motor.

[0042] The housing 20 may define an adjusting screw channel 200 for threadingly receiving an adjusting screw 210. The adjusting screw 210 may be rotatable selectively to advance or retract an end of the adjusting screw 210 for abutment with an opposing end of the solenoid plunger 180 to limit the extension of the solenoid plunger 180.

[0043] The vent door arm 190 may be hingedly mounted at the solenoid frame 220 at a vent door arm first end 230 and coupled to the solenoid plunger 180 to move hingedly at the vent door arm first end 230 responsively to extension or retraction of the solenoid plunger 180. The vent door arm 190 may be mounted hingedly at the vent door 50 at a vent door arm second end 240 to move the vent door 50 hingedly at the vent door hinge 160 to open the main body second opening 140 responsive to the extension of the solenoid plunger 180 and to close the main body second opening 140 responsive to the retraction of the solenoid plunger 180.

[0044] The vent door control mechanism 60 may further include a vent door control mechanism controller 250 housed in the housing 20 and coupled to the solenoid 170 and the power source 70. The vent door control mechanism controller 250 may be coupled to receive the vent door control signal and responsive to the vent door control signal to actuate the solenoid 170 selectively to open or close the vent door 50 responsive to the vent door control signal.

[0045] As noted above, the power source 70 in some embodiments is housed in and shrouded by the housing 20. In some embodiments, the power source 70 includes a battery 260 which is housed in and shrouded by the housing 20. The power source 70 may also include a solar panel 270 mounted at the housing 20 and coupled to charge the battery 260. In other embodiments, the power source 70 may be external to the housing 20, and may include a wired power connection. In some embodiments, the power source 70 may include a transformer, which may be a 16 volt plugin transformer, which may be wired to the PCB 390.

[0046] The automated gas vent 10 in some embodiments may omit the gas flow sensing device 80, in which case the vent door control mechanism 60 may be coupled to receive the vent door control signal from a source external to the automated gas vent 10, in which case the automated gas vent 10 may be controlled remotely. Embodiments having the gas flow sensing device 80, however, may be autonomous, in that it need not receive any vent door control signal from a source external to the automated gas vent 10, and further may provide the vent door control signal to control remotely the vent door control mechanism 60 of another automated gas vent 10.

[0047] Thus, some embodiments include the gas flow sensing device 80 which is responsive to a flow of gas in the main body channel to generate the vent door control signal. The vent door control mechanism 60 may be coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device 80. The power source 70 may be further coupled to power the gas flow sensing device 80. The housing 20 may shroud the gas flow sensing device 80.

[0048] The main body enclosure main body enclosure 40 may define a pressure vent 280 in communication with the main body channel. The gas flow sensing device 80 may include a diaphragm 290 mounted sealingly to close the pressure vent 280. The diaphragm 290 is deformable responsive to a pressure against the diaphragm 290 of a flow of the gas from the main body first opening 120. The gas flow sensing device 80 may have a gas flow sensing device controller 300 responsive to deformation of the diaphragm 290 to generate the vent door control signal to open the vent door 50, and otherwise to generate the vent door control signal to close the vent door 50. The main body enclosure 40 may have a main body sloped wall 310 facing obliquely the main body first opening 120, and the main body sloped wall 310 may define the pressure vent 280 in communication with the main body channel.

[0049] The gas flow sensing device 80 may further have a diaphragm slug 320 mounted positioned adjacent to, which may be in contact with, the diaphragm 290 to move responsively to deformation of the diaphragm 290. The gas flow sensing device 80 may further have a switch armature 330 mounted hingedly at a switch armature first end 340 at the diaphragm slug 320 and at a switch armature second end 350 at a switch armature hinge 360 mounted at or formed in the main body enclosure 40. The switch armature 330 may further have a switch armature knob 370. The gas flow sensing device 80 may further have a switch 380 mounted at the main body enclosure 40 adjacent and opposite the switch armature knob 370. The switch 380 may be mounted at the gas flow sensing device controller 300. The switch armature 330 may be moveable hingedly at the switch armature first end 340 and switch armature second end 350 responsive to movement of the diaphragm slug 320 to move the switch armature knob 370 to contact and actuate the switch 380. The gas flow sensing device controller 300 may have control logic responsive to actuation of the switch 380 to generate the vent door control signal to open the vent door 50, and otherwise to generate the vent door control signal to close the vent door 50.

[0050] In some embodiments, the automated gas vent 10 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 390 which includes the vent door control mechanism controller 250 and the gas flow sensing device controller 300.

[0051] As noted above, the automated gas vent 10 may include the gas flow sensing device 80, in which case it may be autonomous and control the opening and closing of its vent door 50 without any external source of a vent door control signal. In such case, the automated gas vent 10 may be considered to be an automated gas exhaust vent 400. In other embodiments, the automated gas vent 10 may omit the gas flow sensing device 80, in which case some external source of the vent door control signal may be required by its 60 vent door control mechanism 60. Such an embodiment may be used as an automated gas make-up vent 410, and may be used in combination with the automated gas exhaust vent 400 to provide an automated gas vent system 420, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] In such an automated gas vent system 420, the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 may be coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device 80 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400. So coupled, the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 may be responsive to the vent door control signal to open the vent door 50 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 when the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400 is responsive to the vent door control signal to open the vent door 50 of the automated gas exhaust vent 40. Similarly, the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 may be responsive to the vent door control signal to close the vent door 50 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 when the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400 is responsive to the vent door control signal to close the vent door 50 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400. In this way, the respective doors 50 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400 and the automated gas make-up vent 410 may open synchronously.

[0053] In some embodiments, the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 may be coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device 80 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400 via a wired connection, or a wireless connection. In the latter case, the gas flow sensing device 80 of the automated gas exhaust vent 400 may include a wireless transmitter (not shown), the vent door control mechanism 60 of the automated gas make-up vent 410 may include a wireless receiver (not shown), and the wireless transmitter may transmit the vent door control signal wirelessly to the wireless receiver.

[0054] In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required. In particular, it will be appreciated that the various additional features shown in the drawings are generally optional unless specifically identified herein as required. The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the particular embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the specification as a whole.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An automated gas vent comprising:

a housing;

a junction plate comprising a junction plate sleeve configured to couple slidingly and fittingly with a gas duct, the junction plate sleeve defining a junction plate channel, a junction plate first opening at a junction plate channel first end, and a junction plate second opening at a junction plate channel second end, the junction plate first opening and junction plate channel providing passage of a gas with the duct and the junction plate second opening, the junction plate further comprising a junction plate mounting flange for mounting of the junction plate at an outside wall of a building;

a main body comprising a main body enclosure defining a main body channel, a main body first opening at a main body channel first end, and a main body second opening at a main body channel second end, the main body first opening and the main body channel providing passage of the gas with the junction plate second opening and the main body second opening when the main body is mounted to couple the junction plate second opening and the main body first opening, the main body enclosure being tapered from the main body first opening having a first area to the main body second opening have a second area less than the first area, the main body enclosure having a main body sloped wall facing obliquely the main body first opening, the main body sloped wall defining a pressure vent in communication with the main body channel, the main body further comprising a main body flange to mount the main body at the junction plate to couple the junction plate second opening and the main body first opening;

a vent door hingedly mounted at a vent door hinge proximal the main body second opening, the vent door being movable hingedly at the vent door hinge selectively to close the main body second opening or to open the main body second opening;

a gas flow sensing device comprising:

a diaphragm mounted at the main body sloped wall sealingly to close the pressure vent, the diaphragm being deformable responsive to a pressure against the diaphragm of a flow of the gas from the main body first opening;

a diaphragm slug positioned adjacent to and in contact with the diaphragm to move responsively to deformation of the diaphragm;

a switch armature mounted hingedly at a switch armature first end at the diaphragm slug and at a switch armature second end at a switch armature hinge mounted at or formed in the main body enclosure, the switch armature further comprising a switch armature knob; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted at the main body enclosure comprising a switch adjacent and opposite the switch armature knob, the switch armature being moveable hingedly at the switch armature first end and switch armature second end responsive to movement of the diaphragm slug to move the switch armature knob to contact and actuate the switch, the PCB comprising control logic responsive to actuation of the switch to generate a vent door open signal following a preconfigured delay and otherwise to generate a vent door close signal; a vent door control mechanism comprising:

a bi-directional latching solenoid coupled to the PCB to receive the vent door open signal and the vent door close signal, the bi-directional latching solenoid being responsive to the vent door open signal to extend a solenoid plunger, and responsive to the vent door close signal to retract the solenoid plunger; a solenoid frame mounted at the main body enclosure to support the bidirectional latching solenoid;

a vent door arm hingedly mounted at the solenoid frame at a vent door arm first end, the vent door arm being coupled to the solenoid plunger to move hingedly at the vent door arm first end responsively to extension or retraction of the solenoid plunger, the vent door arm being mounted hingedly at the vent door at a vent door arm second end to move the vent door hingedly at the vent door hinge to open the main body second opening responsive to the extension of the solenoid plunger and to close the main body second opening responsive to the retraction of the solenoid plunger; and

a power source to power the gas flow sensing device and the vent door control mechanism, the power source comprising a battery mounted in the housing and coupled to power the PCB, and a solar panel mounted at the housing and coupled to charge the battery;

the housing shrouding the main body, the vent door, the gas flow sensing device, the vent door control mechanism, and the battery, the housing defining a lower opening for passage of the gas with the main body second opening when the vent door is open, the housing further defining an adjusting screw channel for receiving an adjusting screw, the adjusting screw being moveable selectively to advance or retract an end of the adjusting screw for abutment with an opposing end of the solenoid plunger to limit the extension of the solenoid plunger.

2. An automated gas vent comprising:

a housing mountable to couple with a gas duct;

a main body channel in the housing coupled to provide passage of a gas with the gas duct;

a vent door selectively to close the main body channel;

a vent door control mechanism selectively to open or close the vent door responsive to a vent door control signal; and

a power source to power the vent door control mechanism.

3. The automated gas vent according to claim 2, wherein the housing shrouds the main body channel, the vent door, and the vent door control mechanism.

4. The automated gas vent according to claim 3 or 4 further comprising a junction plate mountable at a wall and comprising a junction plate sleeve to couple with the gas duct and to provide passage of the gas with the gas duct and the main body channel.

5. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 2 to 4 further comprising a main body housed in the housing, the main body comprising a main body enclosure defining the main body channel.

6. The automated gas vent according to any one of claim 5, wherein the main body enclosure defines a main body first opening at a main body first end, and a main body second opening at a main body second end opposite the main body first end, the main body first opening and the main body channel providing passage of the gas with the gas duct and the main body second opening when the main body is mounted to couple the gas duct and the main body first opening.

7. The automated gas vent according to claim 6, wherein the vent door is hingedly mounted at a vent door hinge proximal the main body second opening and is movable hingedly at the vent door hinge selectively to close the main body second opening or to open the main body second opening.

8. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the vent door control mechanism comprises a DC electric motor coupled selectively to open or close the vent door responsive to the vent door control signal.

9. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the vent door control mechanism comprises a solenoid coupled selectively to open or close the vent door responsive to the vent door control signal.

10. The automated gas vent according to claim 9, wherein the solenoid is a bidirectional latching solenoid.

11. The automated gas vent according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the solenoid is responsive to the vent door control signal extend a solenoid plunger to open the vent door or to withdraw the solenoid plunger to close the vent door.

12. The automated gas vent according to claim 11 , wherein the housing defining an adjusting screw channel for threadingly receiving an adjusting screw, the adjusting screw being rotatable selectively to advance or retract an end of the adjusting screw for abutment with an opposing end of the solenoid plunger to limit the extension of the solenoid plunger.

13. The automated gas vent according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the vent door control mechanism further comprises a vent door arm hingedly mounted at the vent door and coupled to the solenoid to move the vent door hingedly to open the vent door responsive to extension of the solenoid plunger or to close the vent door responsive to retraction of the solenoid plunger.

14. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein vent door control mechanism further comprises a solenoid frame mounted in the housing to support the solenoid.

15. The automated gas vent according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 11 , wherein the vent door arm is hingedly mounted at the solenoid frame at a vent door arm first end and is coupled to the solenoid plunger to move hingedly at the vent door arm first end responsively to extension or retraction of the solenoid plunger, the vent door arm is mounted hingedly at the vent door at a vent door arm second end to move the vent door hingedly at the vent door hinge to open the main body second opening responsive to the extension of the solenoid plunger and to close the main body second opening responsive to the retraction of the solenoid plunger.

16. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the vent door control mechanism further comprises a vent door control mechanism controller housed in the housing and coupled to the solenoid and the power source, and coupled to receive the vent door control signal and responsive to the vent door control signal to actuate the solenoid selectively to open or close the vent door responsive to the vent door control signal.

17. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 2 to 16, wherein the power source is housed in and shrouded by the housing.

18. The automated gas vent according to claim 17, wherein the power source is a battery.

19. The automated gas vent according to claim 18 further comprising a solar panel mounted at the housing and coupled to charge the battery.

20. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 2 to 19 further comprising:

a gas flow sensing device responsive to a flow of gas in the main body channel to generate the vent door control signal,

wherein the vent door control mechanism is coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device, and

wherein the power source is further coupled to power the gas flow sensing device.

21. The automated gas vent according to claim 20, wherein the housing shrouds the gas flow sensing device.

22. The automated gas vent according to claim 20 or claim 21 when dependent on claim 6,

wherein the main body enclosure defines a pressure vent in communication with the main body channel, and

wherein the gas flow sensing device comprises:

a diaphragm mounted sealingly to close the pressure vent, the diaphragm being deformable responsive to a pressure against the diaphragm of a flow of the gas from the main body first opening; and

a gas flow sensing device controller responsive to deformation of the

diaphragm to generate the vent door control signal to open the vent door, and otherwise to generate the vent door control signal to close the vent door.

23. The automated gas vent according to claim 22, wherein the main body enclosure has a main body sloped wall facing obliquely the main body first opening, and the main body sloped wall defines the pressure vent in communication with the main body channel.

24. The automated gas vent according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the gas flow sensing device further comprises:

a diaphragm slug positioned adjacent to the diaphragm to move responsively to deformation of the diaphragm;

a switch armature mounted hingedly at a switch armature first end at the diaphragm slug and at a switch armature second end at a switch armature hinge mounted at or formed in the main body enclosure, the switch armature further comprising a switch armature knob;

a switch mounted at the main body enclosure adjacent and opposite the switch armature knob, the switch armature being moveable hingedly at the switch armature first end and switch armature second end responsive to movement of the diaphragm slug to move the switch armature knob to contact and actuate the switch, the gas flow sensing device controller comprising control logic responsive to actuation of the switch to generate the vent door control signal to open the vent door, and otherwise to generate the vent door control signal to close the vent door.

25. The automated gas vent according to claim 24, wherein switch is mounted at the gas flow sensing device controller.

26. The automated gas vent according to any one of claims 22 to 25 when dependent on claim 16 comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising the vent door control mechanism controller and the gas flow sensing device controller.

27. An automated gas vent system comprising:

an automated gas exhaust vent comprising the automated gas vent according to any one of claims 1 or 20 to 26; and

an automated gas make-up vent comprising the automated gas vent according to any one of claims 2 to 19,

the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas make-up vent being coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device of the automated gas exhaust vent.

28. The automated gas vent system according to claim 27, wherein the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas make-up vent is responsive to the vent door control signal to open the vent door of the automated gas make-up vent when the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas exhaust vent is responsive to the vent door control signal to open the vent door of the automated gas exhaust vent, and the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas make-up vent being responsive to the vent door control signal to close the vent door of the automated gas make-up vent when the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas exhaust vent is responsive to the vent door control signal to close the vent door of the automated gas exhaust vent.

29. The automated gas vent system according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas make-up vent is coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device of the automated gas exhaust vent via a wired connection.

30. The automated gas vent system according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas make-up vent is coupled to receive the vent door control signal from the gas flow sensing device of the automated gas exhaust vent via a wireless connection.

31. The automated gas vent system according to claim 30, wherein the gas flow sensing device of the automated gas exhaust vent comprises a wireless transmitter, the vent door control mechanism of the automated gas make-up vent comprises a wireless receiver, and the wireless transmitter transmits the vent door control signal wirelessly to the wireless receiver.