U.S. patent application number 11/782389 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for system and method for inhibiting moisture and mold in structures.
Invention is credited to Sam S. Vacek.
Application Number | 20070293139 11/782389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46328143 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070293139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vacek; Sam S. |
December 20, 2007 |
System and Method for Inhibiting Moisture and Mold in
Structures
Abstract
A structure comprises at least one outer wall having an internal
wall section and an outer wall section with an air flow passage
therebetween. Air is passed through the air flow passage to inhibit
moisture accumulation and/or mold growth. A controller may
determines a parameter relating to condition of the air in the air
passage and in response thereto control the air flow through the
air passage. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to
comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a
searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of
the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding
that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning
of the claims.
Inventors: |
Vacek; Sam S.; (Porter,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL S MADAN;MADAN, MOSSMAN & SRIRAM, PC
2603 AUGUSTA DRIVE, SUITE 700
HOUSTON
TX
77057-5662
US
|
Family ID: |
46328143 |
Appl. No.: |
11/782389 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10006635 |
Nov 8, 2001 |
7247090 |
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11782389 |
Jul 24, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/185 ;
454/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2013/221 20130101;
E04B 1/7092 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/185 ;
454/252 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/08 20060101
F24F007/08; F24F 7/00 20060101 F24F007/00 |
Claims
1. A structure, comprising: an air supply system that supplies air
under pressure; and an inner space enclosed by at least one wall,
the at least one wall having an inner section and an outer section,
the inner and outer sections defining an air flow passage that is
configured to receive at least a portion of the air under pressure
at a first opening and to discharge at least a portion of such
received air to an outside environment via a second opening.
2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the air supply system supplies
the air under pressure to the inner space and the air flow passage
receives the at least a portion of air under pressure from the
inner space.
3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure further
comprises a secondary enclosed space and wherein the air supply
system supplies the air under pressure to the inner space, the
enclosed secondary space receives the air from the inner space and
discharges at least a portion of the air received from the inner
space to the outside environment via the air flow passage.
4. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a conditioning unit
that disinfects air received from the inner space.
5. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a treatment unit
that treats the air under pressure received at the first opening to
inhibit formation of one of humidity, mildew and algae.
6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the air supply system supplies
conditioned air that is one of: (i) heated air; (ii) cooled air;
(iii) disinfected air; and (iv) air treated with a chemical to
inhibit humidity, mildew or bacteria.
7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the air supply system
comprises a controller that controls the supply of the air under
pressure.
8. The structure of claim 7, wherein the controller controls the
supply of the air under pressure in response to at least one sensor
measurement.
9. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a baffle that
controls the flow of the air into the air flow passage from the
outside environment.
10. The structure of claim 1, wherein the air supply system
supplies the at least a portion of the air under pressure to the
air flow passage in a manner that is one of: (i) directly into the
first opening; (ii) via the inner space; (iii) from an attic space
associated with the inner space; (iv) from a unit that is placed
outside the structure; (v) from a unit that placed inside the
structure; (vi) from a unit that is partially placed inside the
structure; and (vii) from a space adjacent the inner space that
receives the air under pressure.
11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall further
encloses at least one additional inner space above the inner space
and wherein the air received by the air flow passage flows in a
direction that is one of: (i) upward; (ii) downward; and (iii) at
least partially sideways.
12. A structure, comprising: an air supply system that supplies air
under pressure; and a window unit associated with an enclosed space
of a structure, the window including an inner panel and an outer
panel, the inner and outer panels defining an air flow passage that
is configured to receive at least a portion of the air supplied
under pressure at a first opening and to discharge at least a
portion of such received air to an outside environment via a second
opening.
13. The structure of claim 12, wherein the air flow passage
receives the at least a portion of the air under pressure from one
of: (i) the enclosed space; (ii) directly from the air supply unit;
and (iii) a conditioning unit associated with the air supply
system.
14. A system, comprising: an air supply system configured to supply
air under pressure to an air passage in a wall of a structure via a
first opening and to discharge at least a portion of the air
supplied to the air passage to an outside environment via a second
opening.
15. A method of inhibiting moisture in a wall of a structure that
includes an air flow passage having a first opening to receive air
and a second opening to discharge the received air, the method
comprising: supplying air under pressure at the first opening and
allowing at least a portion of the air supplied under pressure to
the air flow passage to discharge to an outside environment from
the second opening.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising supplying the air
under pressure to the first opening form one of: (i) a space that
is enclosed by the wall; (ii) directly from an air supply system;
(iii) an attic associated; (iv) an enclosed space above the first
opening; and (v) an enclosed space below the second opening.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein supplying air under pressure to
the first opening comprises treating the air supplied under
pressure to control one of humidity and mildew before supplying the
air under pressure to the first opening.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising controlling the
supply of the air under pressure to the first opening in response
to a sensor measurement.
19. The method of claim 15 further comprising inhibiting flow of an
outside air into the air flow passage.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the air flow passage runs along
a plurality of floors associated with the structure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and takes
priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/006,635, filed on
Nov. 8, 2001, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to structures having an outer
wall system, the construction of which provides for flow of air
between an internal wall section and an external wall section for
inhibiting moisture accumulation and mold growth on the internal
wall section.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In today's construction industry, numerous residential
structures, along with a significant number of commercial
structures such as, for example, apartment buildings, motels,
restaurants, and strip shopping centers, have their exterior
surfaces finished with a synthetic stucco-type coating applied over
a foam insulation board. Such exterior finishes are generically
referred to as Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems, and will be
referred to hereinafter as EIFS.
[0006] While such EIFS constructions have proven to be satisfactory
regarding their relative ease of installation, the insulating
properties and the ability to receive a variety of
aesthetically-pleasing finishes, such constructions are vulnerable
to moisture accumulation behind their exterior wall coverings. As
used herein, the term "moisture" refers to both liquid and airborne
forms of water. Such moisture may be the result of condensation or
high humidity, but may also be the result of rain or wind-driven
water, that may enter behind the exterior wall covering at any
point where the exterior surface of the coating is penetrated. Such
moisture accumulation may be the result of poor workmanship or
design, deterioration of flashing or sealants over time, lesser
quality doors or windows, or any other penetration or compromise of
the exterior finish.
[0007] When such water penetration, high humidity or condensation
occurs, absent effective, reliable methods for eliminating or
reducing the moisture accumulation behind the EIFS or other
exterior constructions, the moisture can remain trapped long enough
before evaporating to damage or rot any moisture-sensitive elements
to which the insulation is attached, typically wood framing,
oriented-strand board, plywood, or gypsum sheathing. In addition,
the moist environment is a breeding ground for wood consuming
insects and health hazards such as various varieties of molds. This
problem is exacerbated in hot and humid environments.
[0008] Attempts have been made to prevent entry of moisture into
the building wall interior by sealing or caulking entry points in
and around wall components as the primary defense against moisture
intrusion, or by installing flashing around the wall components to
divert the moisture. These attempts have not been completely
successful. Sealants are difficult to properly install and also
tend to deteriorate and separate from the wall components or wall
due to changes in climatic conditions, building movement, the
surface type and/or chemical reactions. Flashing is also difficult
to install and may tend to hold the moisture against the wall
components, accelerating the decay.
[0009] The use of sealants and flashings is also limited to the
attempted minimization of moisture collection in building walls in
new construction, and the further collection in existing
structures. These materials are of little value in addressing the
problem of moisture that has already entered a building wall
interior. The problem is further compounded by the prevention of
evaporation of the moisture already in the wall interior.
[0010] The problems of moisture penetration and accumulation have
prevented the full use of new building cladding materials and may
have resulted in many buildings with rotting framing structures,
requiring extensive and expensive retrofitting. Thus, there is a
need for a system and method to prevent or inhibit moisture from
accumulating in the walls a buildings and for the removal of
moisture that has already collected within the walls.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] In one aspect, a structure is disclosed that includes an air
supply system that supplies air under pressure; and an inner space
enclosed by at least one wall, the at least one wall having an
inner section and an outer section, the inner and outer sections
defining an air flow passage that is configured to receive at least
a portion of the air under pressure at a first opening and to
discharge at least a portion of such received air to an outside
environment via a second opening.
[0012] In another aspect, a structure is disclosed, wherein air is
supplied under pressure to an air flow passage between panels of a
window to inhibit moisture build-up therein.
[0013] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of
inhibiting moisture in an outer wall of a structure that includes
an air flow passage having a first opening to receive air and a
second opening to discharge the air, wherein the method comprises
supplying air under pressure at the first opening and allowing at
least a portion of the air supplied under pressure to the air flow
passage to discharge to an outside environment from the second
opening to inhibit moisture in the outer wall.
[0014] In another aspect, the disclosure contemplates a structure
with an outer wall having an internal wall section and an external
wall section with a flow passage in between. A circulation system
passes air through the flow passage inhibiting moisture
accumulation and mold growth.
[0015] In one embodiment, a structure system comprises at least one
outer wall having an internal wall section and an external wall
section, where the external wall section is located such that there
is an air flow passage between the internal wall section and the
external wall section. A circulation system circulates air through
the air flow passage to inhibit moisture on the internal wall
section.
[0016] In another embodiment, an essentially enclosed structure
system comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall
section and an external wall section, where the external wall
section is located such that there is an air flow passage between
the internal wall section and the external wall section. A
circulation system circulates air through the air flow passage to
inhibit moisture on the internal wall section.
[0017] In another embodiment, an essentially enclosed structure
system comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall
section and an external wall section, where the external wall
section is located such that there is an air flow passage between
the internal wall section and the external wall section. A
circulation system circulates air through the air flow passage to
inhibit moisture on the internal wall section. At least one sensor
generates a signal indicative of moisture and generates a signal in
response thereto. A controller receives the signal from the at
least one sensor and controls the circulation system to provide a
predetermined relative humidity of the air flow in the air flow
passage.
[0018] In one embodiment, a method is described for inhibiting
moisture accumulation in an outer wall of a structure, comprising:
providing an outer wall with an internal wall section and an
external wall section with an air flow passage therebetween; and
supplying air into the flow passage by an air circulation system to
inhibit moisture accumulation on the internal wall section.
[0019] Examples of the more important features of the invention
thus have been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims
appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] For detailed understanding of the present disclosure,
references should be made to the following detailed description of
the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like elements have generally been given like
numerals, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a structure according to
one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a structure of a circulation system
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another circulation system
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a functional block diagram for use
in the structures according to one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation system
for a structure according to another embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B (collectively
referred to as FIG. 2), FIG. 1 shows a perspective view and FIG. 2
shows a sectional view of an outer wall 25 of a structure according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The structure
30 comprises a foundation slab 20 having a dual section outer wall
25 attached thereto. In some structures, a subspace 102, such as a
basement or a crawl space may also be present. The dual section
outer wall 25 has an un-insulated internal wall section 26 and an
insulated external wall section 27 displaced a distance away from
internal wall section 26 such that an air flow passage 17 is
established between them. Conditioned air 16 is forced out through
the air passage 17 by the air circulation system 45 shown in FIG. 2
and described below, thereby inhibiting the accumulation of
moisture and mold on the internal wall section 26.
[0027] The external wall section 27 is constructed with an exterior
insulation and finish system, commonly referred to as EIFS, which
comprises a weather resistant outer surface 2, typically of
synthetic stucco, attached to a thermal insulating layer 21.
Alternatively, any suitable weather resistant material may be used,
including, but not limited to, brick tile, stone tile, wood siding,
pressed board siding, and cementicious siding. The thermal
insulating layer 21 is typically formed from an expanded
polystyrene foam, but may alternatively be made from a
polycyanurate or polyurethane foam or from any other suitable
insulation material. The insulating layer 21 is, in turn, attached
to a sheathing layer 4, typically a cementicious material known in
the art. The external wall section 27 is attached to furring strips
6 which are in turn attached to the internal wall section 26 using
attachment techniques known in the art. The furring strips 6 serve
to establish the size of the flow passage 17 and to secure the
outer wall section 27 to the inner wall section 26. Furring strips
6 may also be positioned to direct the flow of air 16 in the
passage 17. The furring strips can be any suitable furring strips,
including but not limited to a "Z" shaped galvanized steel strip.
Drain channel 18 is located near the bottom of passage 17 and is
sloped to provide a drainage for any condensation or water which
may need to be expelled from passage 17. Channel 18 may be solid
and thereby used to direct the air flow 16 exiting from the passage
17 at an opening 19. Alternatively, channel 18 may have multiple
holes allowing moisture and air flow 16 to exit at the base of the
exterior wall 25.
[0028] The inner wall section 26 comprises a suitable liquid
barrier 8 attached to an external sheathing 10, which may be a
plywood or oriented stranding board (OSB). The liquid barrier 8
inhibits or minimizes the passage of liquid water but allows for
the passage of gases and water vapor and is well known in the art.
The external sheathing 10 is attached to and supported by the
framing studs 12. Any suitable framing stud material can be used
including wood and metal materials. An interior sheathing 14 such
as paneling, drywall board, or other suitable interior surface is
attached to the interior side of the framing studs 12. In one
aspect, the inner wall section 26, contrary to common construction,
may have minimal or no insulation in its internal cavities.
However, the internal wall section may include insulation normally
contained in residential or commercial structures. The flow of
appropriately conditioned air 16 through the flow passage 17
bordered by external sheathing 10 provides an air temperature at
the external sheathing essentially the same as the air temperature
inside the structure 30 thereby inhibiting condensation on the
liquid barrier 8 or the sheathing 10.
[0029] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, wall 25 may include one or
more windows, such as window 120. The window 120, in one aspect,
may include an inside pane 120a and an outside pane 120b with an
air passage 120c therebetween. The window may further include an
air inlet opening 116 and an air outlet opening 119. In one aspect,
air under pressure from the air system 45 (FIG. 2) or from the
inner space 50 may be passed into the spacing 120c at the opening
116 and discharged at the opening 119 so as to inhibit or eliminate
condensation in the space 120c.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, a circulation system 45 (also referred
to as the air supply system) is shown located in an attic space 36
of structure 30. The attic 36 is bounded by roof 22 and ceiling 29.
Roof 22 is connected to and essentially sealed with external wall
section 27 by flashing 28 which extends around the periphery of
structure 30. Conditioned air 16 from the circulation system 45 is
forced through duct 33 into the interior 50 of structure 30. The
air 16 exits the interior space 50 through a plurality of ceiling
vents 34 which exhaust into the attic space 36. The attic space
acts as a plenum for circulation system 45. Air enters the
circulation system 45 through inlet damper 43 in attic 36 and
outside makeup air 44 enters through makeup damper 46 and the
combined intake air flows through blower 42 and into heating and
cooling elements in conditioner 40, through duct 32 into humidifier
38 for maintaining a predetermined relative humidity. The heater
elements (not shown), in conditioner 40 may be electric or gas type
elements common in the art, or any other suitable heating elements.
The cooling system (not shown) in conditioner 40 may be a
conventional compressor/condenser type system. Alternatively, a
heat pump system may be used for heating and cooling the air, as
may other suitable systems. Guidelines for selecting the
predetermined relative humidity are available in published
documents of The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and
Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Standard 62-1999, Ventilation
for Acceptable IndoorAir Quality, which indicates that the relative
humidity should be maintained below about 70% to inhibit fungal
contamination including, but not limited to, molds and mildew. The
actual relative humidity and air flow requirements will be
structure-specific and are determined using procedures and
standards known in the art.
[0031] The conditioned air flows through duct 33 and into interior
space 50 and as previously described, exhausts through vents 34
into attic 36. The addition of the outside makeup air 44 to the air
volume existing in the essentially sealed structure creates a
suitable positive pressure in the structure 30 and attic 36
relative to the outside environment, and causes conditioned air to
flow 16 through the air flow passage 17 in the outer wall 25. In
one aspect, the blower 42 may operate continuously or substantially
continuously forcing an essentially continuous flow of conditioned
air 16 through the passage 17, thereby inhibiting the buildup of
moisture and mold on the inner wall section 26. Alternatively, the
air may be passed through the air passage selectively in response
to one or more sensor inputs.
[0032] Dampers 43 and 46 may be manually set to provide the
appropriate flows. Alternatively, the dampers 43 and 46 may have
actuators (not shown) which may be controlled remotely.
Additionally, baffles 112a and/or 112b may be utilized to control
the flow of outside air into the air passage 17. The baffles may be
mechanically controlled, such as by a spring action or electrically
controlled. Any other suitable device may also be used to control
the outside air.
[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 3,
temperature and relative humidity sensors 62 and 63 are disposed in
passage 17 to measure the temperature and relative humidity of
conditioned air flow 16. Signals from the sensors are received by a
control system 60, which may contain sensor interface circuits, a
processor, and output control circuits for actuating devices in the
circulation system 45. As shown in FIG. 3, control system 60
receives signals from sensors 62 and 63 and acts according to
programmed instructions to actuate makeup air damper 46, intake
damper 43, blower 42, conditioner 40, and humidity controller 38 to
maintain a predetermined temperature and relative humidity in
conditioned air flow 16.
[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, such as FIG. 4, conditioned
air is split from duct 33 and travels in header 52 around the
periphery of the attic space 36. Multiple discharge ducts 54 direct
conditioned air 16 from the header towards the opening of passage
17. The air flow is controlled by multiple dampers 56 on multiple
discharge ducts 54. The dampers 56 may be manually set or,
alternatively, may be fitted with actuators (not shown) which may
be remotely controlled by control system 60.
[0035] In another embodiment, a plurality of blowers (not shown)
may be mounted so as to intake the conditioned attic air and
discharge the air directly into the passage 17 at a plurality of
predetermined locations around the perimeter of the structure. The
passage of the discharged air passing between the furring strips 6
act to create a venturi effect to induce flow from between adjacent
furring strips 6.
[0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the
circulation system 45 may be wholly located external to the
structure 30 with air flow to and from the structure 30 through
suitable conduit or ducting (not shown). Alternatively, the
circulation system 45 may be partially located in the structure 30
and partially located external to the structure 30 as is common in
home systems. It is also to be understood that local environmental
conditions and local building codes will, to some extent, dictate
the individual components used.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an air supply system 200
according to one embodiment that may be utilized with a structure
201, which may be any type of structure including a multistory
building. The structure 201 is shown to include an inner space 202
that has a first outer wall 204a that includes an outer section
206a and an inner section 208a and an air passage 210a between
these inner and outer sections. Also shown is a second outer wall
204b that has an air passage 210b that is bounded by the inner and
outer sections 206b and 208b of the wall 204b. The structures of
the walls 204a and 204b may be the same, similar or different from
the ones described in reference to FIGS. 1-4. Also, the air supply
system 220 may be the same or similar to the systems described in
reference to FIGS. 1-4 or any other suitable system. The structure
201 also is shown to include a secondary enclosed space 102
adjacent to and in air flow communication with the inner space 202.
The structure 201 may also include any number of additional
enclosed spaces in air communication with one or more such spaces
and may lie above, below, adjacent or spaced from the inner space
202. The secondary space 102 may also be a subfloor or subspace,
such as a basement or crawl space.
[0038] In one aspect, the air supply system 220 may supply air 211
under pressure to the inner space 202. All or a portion of the air
from the inner space 202 may then be passed to a secondary enclosed
space, such as space 102. In one aspect, the air from the space 102
may be passed to one or more of the air passages, such as the
passage 210b via an opening 266 and then to the outside environment
via an opening 268, as shown by arrows 267. A baffle 212b or
another suitable device may be provided to inhibit outside air from
entering the air flow passage 210b. Alternatively or in addition to
the above, the air from the secondary space 102 may pass directly
to the outside environment via an air outlet 264 or to the air
system 220 via a suitable conduit or return air flow path, shown
generally by arrow 265. In another aspect, air 233 from the inner
space 202 and/or from any of the other spaces may return to an air
filtration or disinfectant unit 250, where the return air may be
filtered and/or treated to disinfect it to a selected quality level
and then returned to the air system for recirculation. Any air 237
passing to the air system 220 from the outside environment may also
be passed through the filtration/disinfectant unit 250. The
filtered/disinfected air 221 passes to the air system 220.
[0039] In another aspect, the air under pressure may be treated in
a treatment unit 240 with a suitable chemical or by using another
process that will inhibit the formation of a harmful elements, such
humidity, mildew, etc., before supplying the air to an air passage,
such as passage 210a of wall 204a at an opening 214a, as shown by
arrows 231, 235 and 239. A baffle 212a may be provided to inhibit
entry of the outside air into the air passage 210a. The air from
the passage may discharge at an opening 262. Air discharging at the
opening 262 may first be passed to a chemical unit 260 that traps
any harmful chemicals in the air and then allow relatively harmless
air to pass to the outside environment, as shown by arrows 273 and
275.
[0040] A control unit or controller 230, which may be a
microprocessor-based unit, may control the operations of the air
system 220 and the treatment unit 240. In one aspect, the
controller 230 may control a valve 234 to control the amount of air
from the air system 220 to the treatment unit 240. In this manner
the controller 230 may control the amount of the treated air that
passes to the air passage 210a. In another aspect, the controller
230 may control the supply of air from the air system 220 in
response to one or more sensor measurements, such as from
temperature, humidity, pressure sensors (generally designated
herein as T.sub.1, T.sub.2, etc.), which sensors may be placed at
any suitable locations in the structure 202. Signals S.sub.1,
S.sub.2, etc. from the sensors T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 respectively
pass to the controller 230, which processes the received signals
and controls the various operations in response thereto. The
control unit also may control the baffles 212a and 212b as
desired.
[0041] Thus in one aspect, a structure is disclosed that may
include an air supply system that supplies air under pressure and
an enclosed space that has at least one wall having an inner
section and an outer section. The inner and outer sections define
an air flow passage that is configured to receive at least a
portion of the air under pressure at a first opening and discharge
at least a portion of such received air to an outside environment
via a second opening. The air supply system may supply the air
under pressure to the enclosed space and the air flow passage may
receive a portion of the air from the enclosed space. The structure
also may further include a secondary enclosed space which receives
the air from the inner space and then discharge at least a portion
of the received air into an air passage, to the outside environment
and/or back to the air supply system. The system may further
include a filtration and/or disinfectant unit that disinfects air
returning from the inner space, one or more of the other enclosed
spaces and/or the outside before returning such air to the air
supply system. The filtration and/or disinfection unit may use any
suitable method that conditions the air for humans. In another
aspect, the air under pressure from the air supply system may be
treated with a suitable chemical that will inhibit the formation of
harmful elements, such as humidity, algae, mildew, etc. in the air
passage or along the wall sections. The air supplied may be heated
air, cooled air, disinfected air, filtered air, treated with a
chemical to inhibit humidity, mildew or bacteria, etc.
[0042] In one aspect, a controller may control the operations for
one more aspects of the system of FIG. 5 in response to one or more
sensor measurements an/or in accordance with programmed
instructions provided to the controller. Baffles or other suitable
devices, mechanically or electrically controlled, may be used to
inhibit a flow of outside air into the air flow passages. Also, the
air to the air flow passages may be supplied in any suitable
manner, including, but not limited to, directly into an opening;
via the inner space; from an attic space associated with the inner
space; from a unit that is placed outside the structure; from a
unit that is placed inside the structure; from a unit that is
partially placed inside the structure; and/or from a space adjacent
the inner space that receives the air under pressure. Any air
passage may enclose additional spaces, which may lie above, below
or on the side of the inner space. The air may flow upward,
downward or at least partially sideways. In another aspect, the air
supply system supplies air to a window of a structure, which
includes an inner panel and an outer panel, the inner and outer
panels defining an air flow passage that is configured to receive
at least a portion of the air under pressure at a first opening and
to discharge the received air at a second opening.
[0043] In another aspect, a method for inhibiting moisture in an
outer wall of a structure is disclosed, which wall includes air
flow passage having a first opening to receive air. The method
comprises supplying air under pressure at the first opening and
allowing at least a portion of the air supplied under pressure to
the air flow passage to discharge to an outside environment from
the second opening to inhibit moisture in the outer wall.
[0044] The foregoing description is directed to particular
embodiments of the present invention for the purpose of
illustration and explanation. It will be apparent, however, to one
skilled in the art that many modifications and changes to the
embodiment set forth above are possible without departing from the
scope and the spirit of the invention. It is intended that the
following claims be interpreted to embrace all such modifications
and changes. The abstract is provided to satisfy certain
requirements of the patent office and is not intended to limit in
any way the scope of the claims.
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