U.S. patent application number 11/572659 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for indoor air pressure management.
Invention is credited to Norbert Hootsmans, Pei-Yuan Peng, Brian E. Wake.
Application Number | 20080274684 11/572659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35967821 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080274684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peng; Pei-Yuan ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
Indoor Air Pressure Management
Abstract
A strategy for minimizing or avoiding the so-called stack effect
within buildings (20) includes controlling the temperature within a
vertically extending shaft (40) such as an elevator hoistway or
stairwell. Controlling the air pressure at each of a plurality of
levels (A, B, C, D) within the useable or occupied space of a
building (20) allows for controlling a pressure differential
between the useable or occupied space and an interior of the shaft
(40). Maintaining appropriate pressure differential levels allows
for minimizing or avoiding the stack effect that otherwise results
in undesirably large drafts between the building interior and the
outside, surrounding environment.
Inventors: |
Peng; Pei-Yuan; (Manchester,
CT) ; Wake; Brian E.; (South Glastonbury, CT)
; Hootsmans; Norbert; (South Glastonbury, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD, SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
35967821 |
Appl. No.: |
11/572659 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 1, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/06499 |
371 Date: |
January 25, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60592725 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/68 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/30 20180101;
F24F 5/0007 20130101; F24F 11/0001 20130101; B66B 11/0005 20130101;
F24F 2110/12 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101; F24F 2110/40
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/68 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Claims
1. An elevator hoistway, comprising: a shaft through which an
elevator cab can move; and a temperature control mechanism
associated with, the shaft to control a temperature within the
shaft such that the temperature in the shaft corresponds to an
outdoor temperature near the shaft, the temperature control
mechanism directing airflow within the shaft in a first direction
when the outdoor temperature is lower than, the temperature in the
shaft and directing airflow within the shaft in a second, opposite
direction when the outdoor temperature is higher than the
temperature in the shaft.
2. The elevator hoistway of claim 1, wherein the temperature
control mechanism comprises at least one opening near each of
opposite ends of the shaft, each of the openings permitting airflow
between the shaft and an outdoor environment near the shaft.
3. The elevator hoistway of claim 2, including at least, one
temperature sensor that provides an indication of the temperature
in at least a portion of the shaft.
4. The elevator hoistway of claim 3, including an sir mover that
selectively varies an amount of airflow between the shaft and the
outdoor environment responsive to an indication from the
temperature sensor that the temperature in the shaft does not
correspond to the outdoor temperature within a selected range,
5. The elevator hoistway of claim 2, wherein the openings establish
an airflow passage through the shaft for outdoor air to flow
through the shaft
6. The elevator hoistway of claim 1, wherein the temperature
control mechanism maintains the temperature in the shaft
approximately equal to the outdoor temperature.
7. A method of controlling airflow through a generally vertical
shaft in a building having a plurality levels, comprising the steps
of: adjusting a temperature in the shaft to correspond to an
outdoor temperature outside of the building; and controlling an air
pressure of at least one level of the building based upon the
temperature in the shaft.
8. The method of claim 7, including adjusting the air pressure of
the at least one level to maintain a pressure difference between
the shaft and the level within a selected range.
9. The method of claim 7, including controlling the air pressure of
each of the plurality of levels individually.
10. The method of claim 7, including grouping at least two of the
plurality of levels in a zone and controlling the air pressure of
the zone,
11. The method of claim 7, including controlling the air pressure
of each of the plurality of levels to achieve a desired pressure
differential between the shaft and each level.
12. The method of claim 7, including increasing an amount of
airflow on at least one of the levels to increase the pressure on
the at least one level.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the shaft comprises one of a
stairwell, or an elevator hoistway,
14. The method of claim 7, including directing airflow in the shaft
in a first direction when the outdoor temperature is lower than the
temperature in the shaft and in a second, opposite direction when
the outdoor temperature is higher than the temperature in the
shaft.
15. The method of claim 7, wherein the building includes a
plurality of generally vertical shafts and the method includes
coordinating the temperatures within the shafts.
16. A building comprising: a plurality of levels; at least one
elevator hoistway shaft that provides access to at least some of
the plurality of levels; at least one stairwell shaft that provides
access to at least some of the plurality of levels; and a
temperature, control mechanism associated with each of the shafts
to control a temperature within each shaft such that the
temperatures in the shafts are coordinated and correspond to an
outdoor temperature outside of the building,
17. The building of claim 16, comprising a pressure control device
that controls an air pressure on each of the at least some of the
plurality of levels.
18. The building of claim 17, wherein the pressure control device
maintains the air pressure on each level to achieve a desired
pressure differential between the air pressure on the level and an
air pressure in at least the elevator hoistway shaft
19. The building of claim 16, wherein the temperature control
mechanism directs airflow within at least the elevator hoistway
shaft in a first direction when the outdoor temperature is lower
than the temperature in the elevator hoistway shaft and in a second
opposite direction when the outdoor temperature is higher than the
temperature hi the elevator hoistway shaft.
20. The building of claim 19, wherein the temperature control
mechanism also directs airflow within the stairwell shaft in the
first and second directions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to controlling air pressure
within buildings. More particularly, this invention relates to
controlling air pressure within a building to avoid pressure
differentials that result in undesirable airflow between the
interior of the building and the outside, surrounding
environment.
[0002] DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] There are a variety of situations where airflow management
and air pressure
[0004] management within a building is desirable and necessary.
Various building configurations require controlling airflow between
the building interior and the space outside of the building, for
example, to prevent undesirably large airflows through passageways
(i.e., doorways) that provide access to the building. In some
circumstances, the differences in temperature between the inside
and outside of the building and the building configuration results
in a pressure differential between the inside of the building and
the outside environment that results in undesirably large drafts or
even gusts between the building interior and the outside,
surrounding environment. Such drafts undesirably alter the heat
load of the building and may interfere with comfortable passage
through a doorway, for example.
[0005] One example undesirable airflow through a passageway between
a building and an outside area may occur in a high rise building
that includes a tall shaft such as an elevator hoistway or a
stairwell. Such shafts allow for the so-called stack effect when
there are differences between the indoor and outdoor temperatures.
The stack effect results in large drafts of air through passageways
(i.e., doorways) that provide access to the building when such
passageways are open. The difference in pressure between the
building interior and the outside environment and the stack effect
cause such airflow.
[0006] For example, colder air outside of a building during a
winter season is heavier than the warm air inside the building. The
outside pressure is higher than the inside pressure at lower levels
of the building. At upper levels of high rise buildings, the
outside pressure is lower than the inside pressure under many
circumstances. Accordingly, when there is an opening (such as at a
doorway at a lobby entry level of a building) air tends to
infiltrate into the building at the lower levels. The air tends to
flow toward the top of the building. As airflow tends toward a path
of least resistance, the outside air entering the building tends to
rise through a vertical shaft such as an elevator hoistway or
stairwell toward the top of the building.
[0007] One example patent: showing a stack-effect-reducing
arrangement is shown in the Japanese Patent Publication No.
07-330247, which was published in December, 1995. Thai document
proposes adding cool air to an elevator shaft using suction to draw
in outdoor air. That arrangement has limitations.
[0008] A typical approach to address undesirable airflow between a
building and the surrounding outside environment is to attempt to
seal the building from the outside environment Sealing passageways
between fee building interior and the outside typically is
accomplished using revolving doors. There are various shortcomings
and drawbacks associated with that approach. For example, revolving
doors tend to limit the number of individuals that can pass through
a doorway at any given time. To increase the potential traffic
flow, larger revolving doors with larger motors have been
introduced. This approach is nu ideal because the larger equipment
introduces additional cost and requires additional space.
[0009] Another drawback associated with revolving doors is that
individuals desiring to pass through an automatically moveable door
tend to become anxious about timing their entry into the passageway
based upon the motion of the door. In many situations, an
individual is not allowed to move slowly or to stop once they enter
the vicinity of the revolving door or they may be bumped, by one of
the moving door panels.
[0010] There is a need for an improved arrangement that minimizes
the occurrence of the stack effect to improve airflow management
associated with the interior of a building. Additionally, it would
be beneficial to be able to eliminate the requirement for revolving
doors at building entrances. This invention addresses those needs
while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks discussed above,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An exemplary disclosed method of controlling airflow within
& building includes controlling airflow through a generally
vertical shaft in the building. By maintaining a temperature in the
shaft to correspond to an outdoor temperature outside of the
building and controlling an air pressure at each level of the
building based upon the temperature in the shaft, the disclosed
method minimizes the so-called stack effect.
[0012] In one example, the air pressures of at least some of the
levels of the building are adjusted responsive to a difference
between pressure in the shaft and pressure in an occupied building
space that is outside of a selected range. One example includes
controlling the air pressure at each building level individually.
Another example includes grouping sets of building levels into
zones and controlling the pressure Within each zone.
[0013] A disclosed building includes a plurality of levels. At
least one shaft, such as a stairwell or an elevator hoistway,
extends generally vertically and provides access to at least some
of the plurality of levels within the building. A temperature
control mechanism associated with the shaft controls the
temperature within the shaft such that the temperature in the shaft
corresponds to an outdoor temperature outside of the building.
[0014] In one example, the temperature control mechanism includes
openings near opposite ends of the shaft to allow airflow between
the shaft and the outside of the building.
[0015] In one example, a pressure control device controls air
pressure on each of the plurality of levels to which the shaft
provides access to control a pressure differential between the
shaft and an occupied space in the building. By controlling the air
pressure on such levels, the pressure differential between the
shaft and the floor levels can be controlled in a manner that
minimizes the so-called stack effect.
[0016] The various features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled In the art from the following
detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example building.
[0018] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates selected control components
of an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 schematically shows a building 20 that includes a
plurality of floors or levels A, B, C, D... YY and ZZ. The example
building 20 is a high rise building.
[0020] At least one vertically extending shaft 40 provides access
to at least some of the levels within the budding. In one example,
the shaft 40 is an elevator hoistway. In another example, the shaft
40 is a stairwell,
[0021] In the illustrated example, a temperature control mechanism
is associated with the shaft 40. In this example, the temperature
control mechanism comprises openings 42 and 44 that allow for
airflow between the interior of the shaft 40 and the environment
outside of the building 20, in this example, the openings 42 and 44
are near opposite ends of the shaft to allow a flow passage through
the shaft for the outside air to flow through the shaft. Allowing
the outside air to flow through the shaft establishes a temperature
within the shaft that corresponds to the outside temperature. In
some circumstances, the outside temperature and die temperature
within the shaft will be approximately equal.
[0022] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates selected control components
of one example embodiment. In this example, a temperature sensor 50
is supported within the shaft 40 to provide an indication of a
temperature within at least a portion of the shaft 40. Depending on
the length of the shaft, a plurality of temperature sensors may be
spaced along the height of die shaft, A plurality of temperature
sensors also allows for accommodating differences in temperature
that may occur along the length of the shaft,
[0023] A controller 52 receives information from the temperature
sensor 50 regarding the temperature within the shaft 40. The
controller 52 in one example also receives information regarding an
outside temperature outside of the building 20, When the controller
52 determines that there is a difference between the temperature in
the shaft and the temperature outside of the building 20 and the
difference is outside of a selected range, the controller 52
activates an air mover 54 to increase the amount of outside airflow
into the shaft 40. In one example, the air mover 54 comprises a
fan.
[0024] In one example, the direction of air movement within the
shaft 40 Is controlled depending on the outside temperature. On
relatively cold days (i.e., the outside temperature is lower than
that inside the building) the air is directed through the shaft
from the bottom toward the top. This is accomplished using one or
more air movers 54 associated with one or more of the openings 42,
44 or otherwise positioned to achieve such airflow through the
shaft 40. On relatively warm days (i.e., when the outside
temperature is higher than that inside the building) the air is
directed from the top toward the bottom of the shaft 40. This is
accomplished in one example using at least one air mover 54 to
cause the desired direction of airflow through the shaft.
[0025] Directing the air movement through the shaft depending on
the outside temperature ensures that the outside air in the shaft
travels as desired and does not enter the useable or occupied space
within the building.
[0026] By maintaining a correspondence between the temperature
within the shaft 40 and the temperature outside of the building 20,
the pressure differential between the shaft and the outside of the
building is minimized. This facilitates minimizing die so-called
stack effect. Hie disclosed example of FIG. 2 also includes an
arrangement for managing pressure at the different levels within
the building 20 to minimize a pressure differential between the
shaft 40 and the useable or occupied space on each level.
[0027] In one example, the temperatures in any stairwell are
controlled to correspond to the temperature control in an elevator
shaft. This example coordinates temperature management in ail
shafts 40 within a building to avoid having pressure increases on
stairwell doors, which might otherwise occur if only elevator shaft
temperatures were controlled.
[0028] Considering the example of FIG. 2, a controller 60 controls
the air pressure on an example level YY of the building 20 for even
further enhanced airflow control, in this example, the controller
60 controls an air mover 62, such as one associated with a known
HVAC system, to increase or decrease the amount of airflow onto the
level YY to thereby increase or decrease the air pressure on that
level of the building. In the illustrated example, the controller
60 receives information from the temperature sensor 50 regarding
the temperature within the shaft 40 to make appropriate air
pressure adjustments on the building level. The temperature within
the shaft 40 is related to the pressure within the shaft in a
generally known .manner. The controller 60 uses such information
for maintaining an air pressure in the useable or occupied space of
the building level YY to achieve the desired pressure differential
between the building level and the shaft 40.
[0029] In the example of FIG. 2, a pressure sensor 64 is provided
at an appropriate location within the useable or occupied space of
the building level YY so that the controller 60 may make
appropriate air pressure adjustments to achieve the desired
pressure differential between the useable or occupied space and the
shaft 40. In one example, some pressure difference will be
accommodated. In another example, the controller 60 is programmed
to maintain air pressure on the building level such thai there is
effectively no pressure difference between the useable or occupied
space on that level and the corresponding portion of the shaft
40.
[0030] Controlling the air pressure at the building levels to
control the pressure differential between the interior of the shaft
40 and the useable or occupied space on each level allows for
minimizing the occurrence of the so-called stack effect because
there is not a pressure differential that tends to instigate
significant airflow into the space within the shaft 40. This allows
for not requiring the type of sealing at building entrances that is
typically accomplished using revolving doors, for example. By
effectively managing the pressure within the building and
controlling the temperature and therefore, the pressure, within the
shaft 40, the so-called stack effect can be minimized or
avoided.
[0031] In one example, a controller 60 is assigned to controlling
the air pressure on each level within the building on an individual
level basis. In another example, groups of building levels are
controlled as a single zone. Having each level individually
controlled or groups of levels controlled in zones allows for
managing different pressure levels at different relative heights
within the building to accommodate variations thai occur along the
length or height of the shaft 40 and the air pressure differences
that occur outside of the building at elevations corresponding to
different building levels. Given this description, those skilled in
the art will be able to select whether individual level control or
zone control Will best meet the needs of their particular
situation.
[0032] Known relationships between outside air temperature and air
pressure and known air pressure control techniques can be employed
to achieve air pressures at various levels within a building to
achieve a desired pressure differential between a useable or
occupied space of a building and a vertically extending shaft.
Those skilled in tire art will be able to select from among such
known techniques to meet the needs of their particular
situation.
[0033] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting
in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples
may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not
necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of
legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by
studying the following claims.
* * * * *