U.S. patent application number 11/986641 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for sound attenuating air vent.
Invention is credited to Robert Lee Owens.
Application Number | 20090133957 11/986641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40668769 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Owens; Robert Lee |
May 28, 2009 |
Sound attenuating air vent
Abstract
An device that allows air flow while attenuating sound for the
purposes of allowing air to flow between rooms in a structure such
as a house or building. The device consists of an air passageway
that attenuates sound and covers at each end of the passageway. The
covers allow air flow while providing an aesthetically pleasing
appearance. Multiple embodiments support pre and post construction
scenarios as well access to the interior of the device for cleaning
purposes.
Inventors: |
Owens; Robert Lee;
(Franklin, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert Lee Owens
470 Royal Crossing
Franklin
TN
37064
US
|
Family ID: |
40668769 |
Appl. No.: |
11/986641 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/224 ;
454/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/24 20130101;
E04F 17/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/224 ;
454/237 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/04 20060101
F24F007/04; E04F 17/04 20060101 E04F017/04 |
Claims
1) A ventilation device that facilitates the flow of air between
rooms within a house or building comprising a. an enclosure sized
to fit in interior walls typical of houses and buildings b. the
said enclosure having a chamber and a first side, the said first
side defining a first aperture and the said enclosure defining a
second aperture, the said first aperture and said second aperture
positioned so that air enters said first aperture, normal or
approximately normal relative to the said first side, through said
first aperture and is redirected parallel or near parallel relative
to said first side to exit said second aperture. c. sound
attenuating material placed in such a manner as to contact air
flowing through said device wherein the said device allows air flow
while attenuating sound.
2) the device of claim 1 with a cover over said aperture that
allows air flow
3) the device of claim 2 where said cover is removable
4) the device of claim 2 where said cover has an access door
5) the device of claim 1 where said chamber has baffles
6) the device of claim 1 where said chamber consists of a plurality
of smaller chambers
7) the device of claim 1 having at least one louver that rotates to
open or close air entry way to said aperture
8) the device of claim 1 having a sliding panel that opens or
closes air entry way to said aperture
9) the device of claim 1 having a pliable material placed around
said aperture forming a seal between said aperture and said
interior wall.
10) the device of claim 1 where the side defining the said second
aperture is opposite to said first side wherein the air enters the
said first aperture on one side of said interior wall and exits the
said second aperture on the opposite side of said interior wall
11) the device of claim 1 where the side defining the said second
aperture is orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to said first
side wherein an application of this configuration would include two
said devices where air would flow through one said device, through
the interior of said interior wall, and through the other said
device exiting on the opposite side of said interior wall.
12) a ventilation device that facilitates the flow of air between
rooms within a house or building comprising a. an enclosure sized
to fit in interior walls typical of houses and buildings b. the
said enclosure having a chamber and a first side, the said first
side defining a first aperture and the said enclosure defining a
second aperture, the said first aperture and said second aperture
positioned so that air enters said first aperture, normal or
approximately normal relative to the said first side, through said
first aperture and is redirected parallel or near parallel relative
to said first side to exit said second aperture. c. the said
chamber constructed of sound attenuating material wherein the said
device allows air flow while attenuating sound.
13) the device of claim 12 with a cover over said aperture that
allows air flow
14) the device of claim 13 where said cover is removable
15) the device of claim 13 where said cover has an access door
16) the device of claim 12 where said chamber has baffles
17) the device of claim 12 where said chamber consists of a
plurality of smaller chambers
18) the device of claim 12 having at least one louver that rotates
to open or close air entry way to said aperture
19) the device of claim 12 having a sliding panel that opens or
closes air entry way to said aperture
20) the device of claim 12 having a pliable material placed around
said aperture forming a seal between said aperture and said
interior wall.
21) the device of claim 12 where the side defining the said second
aperture is opposite to said first side wherein the air enters the
said first aperture on one side of said interior wall and exits the
said second aperture on the opposite side of said interior wall
22) the device of claim 12 where the side defining the said second
aperture is orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to said first
side wherein an application of this configuration would include two
said devices where air would flow through one said device, through
the interior of said interior wall, and through the other said
device exiting on the opposite side of said interior wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Disclosure Document #608522, Quiet Vent
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] This invention relates to air vents; specifically, air vents
that allow air flow while attenuating sound.
[0006] 2. Background of the Invention
[0007] A very common form of an air conditioning system for
enclosed structures (i.e. houses/buildings) relies on the
circulation of air. Air is pulled from the interior of the
structure and passed through a heating/cooling air handler and then
is returned to the interior of the structure. The air intake/return
is usually a centrally located large vent attached to a large duct
that feeds air to the air handler. The air handler forces air out
smaller exhaust ducts that terminate in each room of the structure.
In some cases, the rooms have multiple exhaust vents. The problem
with this approach is that when doors are closed, the airflow is
restricted. Specifically, the air exiting exhaust vents in a room
must return to the large centrally located intake vent. If doors
are closed, the return path is usually restricted to the crack
between the bottom of the door and the floor. This restricted
airflow results in greater air pressure in the rooms, more load on
the air-conditioning system, and more leakage of air through the
windows and air ducts due to the higher pressure.
[0008] The restricted air flow problem is further exacerbated for
the case when one door leads to multiple rooms. For example, a
master suite could consist of a bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in
closets, each of which could have one or more exhaust vents. If
there is not an air return vent in the master bedroom, then all of
the return air must pass through the entry doorway to the master
suite and then back to the main return vent. If this entry door is
closed, it is unreasonable to expect that the crack between the
bottom of the door and the floor would be sufficient to pass the
necessary air.
[0009] A possible solution to the restricted air flow problem would
be to have both exhaust and return vents in each room. However,
return vents in each room would be much more expensive than one
centrally located return vent. This is because there would have to
be many small return ducts instead of the one large centrally
located return vent. Furthermore, the additional return ducts would
not be feasible for limited space conditions, such as when the
ducts must be located in the space between floors.
[0010] Another approach to solving the restricted air flow problem
would be to place vents in the walls separating rooms. The vents
would allow air to flow between rooms. The problem with this
approach is that the currently available vents allow sound to
easily travel between rooms. Sound easily traveling between rooms
is unacceptable in many cases because it defeats the privacy reason
for closing the doors between rooms.
[0011] 3. Objects and Advantages
[0012] This invention remedies the previously mentioned problems by
providing a vent that allows air flow while attenuating sound.
[0013] This sound attenuating vent has the following advantages:
[0014] a) Provides air flow between rooms while attenuating sound.
The air flow is provided even when doors are closed. The attenuated
sound ensures privacy. [0015] b) Provides a low cost way of
ensuring unrestricted air flow within a structure. The cost is much
lower than running return ducts from each room back to the air
handler. [0016] c) Increases the efficiency of air conditioning
systems by ensuring the free flow air. [0017] d) Reduces the load
on air conditioning fans by allowing free flow of air between
rooms. [0018] e) Reduces the leakage of air through windows and
ducts by reducing back pressures caused by restricted air flows.
[0019] f) Provides more consistent across room temperatures by
allowing the free flow of air.
SUMMARY
[0020] In accordance with the present invention, a vent that allows
the flow of air while attenuating sound.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the front view of the version of the vent with
horizontal vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the right view of the version of the vent with
horizontal vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the top view of the version of the vent with
horizontal vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a section view of the version of the vent with
horizontal vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows the front view of the version of the vent with
vertical vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows the right view of the version of the vent with
vertical vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the version of the vent with
vertical vent covers and that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the version of the vent that
would require two pieces to complete the installation and that
would typically be installed during construction.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a right view of the version of the vent that
would require two pieces to complete the installation and that
would typically be installed during construction.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows a top view of the version of the vent that
would require two pieces to complete the installation and that
would typically be installed during construction.
[0031] FIG. 11 shows a section view of the version of the vent that
would require two pieces to complete the installation and that
would typically be installed during construction.
[0032] FIG. 12 shows the front view of the vent that would
typically be installed post construction.
[0033] FIG. 13 shows the top view of the vent that would typically
be installed post construction.
[0034] FIG. 14 shows the section view of the vent that would
typically be installed post construction.
[0035] FIG. 15 shows the front view of the vent with closable
louvers that would typically be installed post construction.
[0036] FIG. 16 shows the top view of the vent with closable louvers
that would typically be installed post construction.
[0037] FIG. 17 shows the section view of the vent with closable
louvers that would typically be installed post construction.
[0038] FIG. 18 shows the front view of the vent with a hinged door
that would typically be installed post construction.
[0039] FIG. 19 shows the top view of the vent with a hinged door
that would typically be installed post construction.
[0040] FIG. 20 shows a section view of the vent with a hinged door
that would typically be installed post construction.
[0041] FIG. 21 shows the front view of the vent with tubular air
passageways that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0042] FIG. 22 shows the right view of the vent with tubular air
passageways that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0043] FIG. 23 shows the top view of the vent with tubular air
passageways that would typically be installed during
construction.
[0044] FIG. 24 shows an installed front view of the FIG. 1
vent.
[0045] FIG. 25 shows an installed section view of the FIG. 1
vent.
[0046] FIG. 26 shows an installed front view of the FIG. 12
vent.
[0047] FIG. 27 shows an installed section view of the FIG. 12
vent.
DRAWINGS--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0048] 10 vent embodiment that would be installed during
construction and that has horizontal vents
[0049] 20 removable cover, horizontal version
[0050] 30 louvers
[0051] 35 air chamber
[0052] 40 mounting holes
[0053] 50 cover attachment mechanism
[0054] 55 pliable material
[0055] 60 sound attenuating material
[0056] 65 vent aperture
[0057] 70 vent embodiment that would be installed during
construction and that has vertical vents
[0058] 75 baffle
[0059] 80 removable cover, vertical version
[0060] 90 vent embodiment that would be installed during
construction and that would require two pieces per
installation.
[0061] 100 vent embodiment with removable cover that would be
installed post construction
[0062] 110 vent cover, post construction version
[0063] 120 attachment screw
[0064] 130 front vent frame
[0065] 140 back vent frame
[0066] 150 attachment mechanism
[0067] 160 vent embodiment with fixed cover with closable louvers
and that would be installed post construction
[0068] 170 front frame with integrated cover
[0069] 180 back frame with integrated cover
[0070] 190 mechanism for opening/closing louvers
[0071] 200 vent embodiment with hinged door that would be installed
post construction
[0072] 210 hinge
[0073] 220 door
[0074] 230 front frame for hinged door
[0075] 240 back frame for hinged door
[0076] 250 latching mechanism
[0077] 260 vent embodiment with tubular air passageway
[0078] 270 air passage tubes
[0079] 280 wall covering material
[0080] 290 wall stud
DETAILED DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1-4--PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0081] A preferred embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 1 (front view), FIG. 2 (right view), FIG. 3
(top view), and FIG. 4 (section view). This vent 10 is intended to
be installed during construction. After construction, the only
visible parts would be the vent covers 20. Air would flow through
the front vent cover 20, through the chamber 35 (i.e. interior of
the vent), which would typically be covered with sound attenuating
material 60, and finally out the back vent cover 20. In some cases,
due to the convoluted pathway and the acoustical characteristics of
the construction materials, the sound attenuating material 60 may
not be necessary. The vent cover 20 has louvers 30 which allow air
flow through the vent cover 20. The vent cover 20 is removable
providing access for cleaning, and is held in place by attaching
mechanisms 50. There are many forms of attaching mechanisms 50 that
are typically used to hold vent covers 20 in place. Any attaching
mechanisms 50 would be suitable for the application of this
invention. The pliable material 55 surrounding the vent apertures
65 serves the purposes of providing a seal between the apertures 65
and the interior wall 280 of a house or building. Even though the
pliable material 55 is applicable to all embodiments, it is only
shown in the preferred embodiment. The vent 10 would be attached to
wall studs via putting nails or screws through the mounting holes
40.
FIGS. 5-7--Alternate Embodiment
[0082] An alternate embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 5 (front view), FIG. 6 (right view), and
FIG. 7 (top view). This vent 70 is intended to be installed during
construction. Its function is the same as the vent 10 in FIG. 1,
except the vent covers 80 shown in FIG. 5 are oriented vertically
instead of horizontally. The vertical arrangement provides for
further installation flexibility. Additionally, there is a baffle
75 that further convolutes the air passageway.
FIGS. 8-11--Alternate Embodiment
[0083] An alternate embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 8 (front view), FIG. 9 (right view). FIG. 10
(top view), and FIG. 11 (section view). This vent 90 is intended to
be installed during construction and would require two pieces per
installation. One vent 90 would be installed with the vent cover 20
facing the interior of the room and the other vent 90 would be
installed with the vent cover 20 facing the exterior of the room.
Air would flow from the interior facing vent 90 through the space
within the wall to the exterior facing vent 90. This would
accommodate greater flexibility in positioning the vents 90. For
example, one vent 90 could be placed near the floor on the interior
side of the room and the other vent 90 could be placed near the
ceiling on the exterior side of the room.
FIGS. 12-14--Alternate Embodiment
[0084] An alternate embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 12 (front view), FIG. 13 (top view), and
FIG. 14 (section view). This vent 100 is intended to be installed
post construction. This vent 100 consists of a front frame 130,
back frame 140, front cover 110, and back cover 110. The front
frame 130 is attached to the back frame 140 via screws 120. Air
would flow through the louvers 30 on the front cover 110, through
the interior of the vent, which is covered with sound attenuating
material 60, and through the louvers 30 on the back cover 110. The
front frame 130 is attached to the back frame 140 via screws 120.
The covers 110 are attached to the frame via the attaching
mechanisms 150. There are many forms of attaching mechanisms 150
that are typically used to hold vent covers 110 in place. Any
attaching mechanisms 150 would be suitable for the application of
this invention.
FIGS. 15-17--Alternate Embodiment
[0085] An alternate embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 15 (front view), FIG. 16 (top view), and
FIG. 17 (section view). This vent 160 is intended to be installed
post construction. This is similar to the vent 100 illustrated in
FIG. 12, except the frame 170, 180 incorporates the louvers 30 and
the vent 160 adds a mechanism 190 for opening/closing the louvers.
There are many forms of mechanisms 190 that are typically used for
opening/closing louvers 30. Any opening/closing mechanism 190 would
be suitable for the application of this invention.
FIGS. 18-20--Alternate Embodiment
[0086] An alternate embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 18 (front view), FIG. 19 (top view), and
FIG. 20 (section view). This vent 200 is intended to be installed
post construction. This vent 200 is similar to the vent 160
illustrated in FIG. 15, except a hinged door 220 has been added.
The hinged door 220 provides for easier access for cleaning
purposes.
FIGS. 21-23--Alternate Embodiment
[0087] An alternate embodiment of the vent of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 21 (front view), FIG. 22 (right view), and
FIG. 23 (top view). This vent 260 provides tubular air passageways.
Tubular air passageways are applicable to any of the other
embodiments. Although the vent covers 20 shown in FIGS. 1-4 are not
shown in FIGS. 21-23, they are applicable to the embodiment
depicted in FIGS. 21-23.
[0088] Operation--FIGS. 24-27
[0089] The operation of the vent entails installing the vent and
the subsequent cleaning of the vent interior. FIGS. 24 (front view)
and 25 (section view) illustrate the installation of the vent 10
(see FIGS. 1-4) embodiment. The vent 10 would be installed between
wall studs 290 and would be covered by the wall covering 280. The
final step would be to attach the vent covers 20.
[0090] FIGS. 26 (front view) and 27 (section view) illustrate the
installation of the vent 100 (see FIGS. 12-14) embodiment. This
vent 100 typically would be installed post construction. To
install, a rectangular cutout would be made in the wall covering
280. This cutout would be positioned between wall studs 290. The
front frame 130 would be positioned through one side of the cutout
area and the back frame 140 would be positioned through the other
side of the cutout. The two frames 130, 140 would be attached via
screws 120. Finally, the covers 110 would be attached.
[0091] The various embodiments of the vents would require cleaning.
This is necessary because as the air flows past the sound
attenuating material 60 dust would collect. All of the embodiments
provided access to the vent interior, which would accommodate
cleaning. For the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-11, removal of
the vent covers 20 would provide access to the interior. For the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12-14, removal of the vent covers 100
would provide access to the interior. For the embodiment depicted
in FIGS. 15-17, access to the interior would be provide by removing
the attachment screws 120 and disassembling the frames 170, 180.
For the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 18-29, access to the interior
would be provide via the hinged doors 220. The vent covers are not
shown for the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 21-23; however, vent
covers are applicable to this embodiment in a similar fashion as
the vent covers 20 depicted in FIGS. 1-4. Access to the interior of
the FIGS. 21-23 embodiment would be via the same method as used for
the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4.
[0092] Advantages
[0093] Based on the description above, the advantages of the sound
attenuating vent follow: [0094] a) This invention provides an
inexpensive method of allowing air to easily circulate through all
rooms of a house or building while attenuating sound; and
therefore, maintaining the intended privacy of rooms. This approach
is much cheaper that having a return vent in each room. In general,
a return event in each room is both cost and space prohibitive.
Usually, there is not sufficient space in crawl spaces, between
floors or in attics to accommodate the additional duct work. [0095]
b) This invention increases the efficiency of air conditioning
systems by allowing the free flow of air. [0096] c) This invention
reduces the load and ultimately increases the service life of air
conditioning components by allowing the free flow of air. [0097] d)
This invention decreases the backpressure which is normally caused
by a closed door limiting air flow to the air conditioning return
vent. The reduced back pressure results in less air leakage through
windows. Also, the reduced back pressure decreases the leakage of
air from the air-conditioning ducts. [0098] e) This invention
provides a solution for both pre-construction and post-construction
installations. [0099] f) This invention provides an easy way to
clean the interiors of the sound attenuating vents.
Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope
[0100] This invention provides a device that allows the free flow
of air between rooms in a house or building while maintaining
privacy between rooms and not requiring additional ductwork. This
invention is applicable to pre and post construction applications
and for both cases is a very cost effective solution.
[0101] Although the description above contains many specifics,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the
vent covers and internal air passage ways could be a variety of
shapes such as but not limited to square, rectangular, triangular,
round, and oval. Also, there are unlimited variations on the air
passageway configurations and sound attenuating approaches. For
example, additionally, the air passage could be a convoluted tube
of various shapes or multiple smaller convoluted tubes of various
shapes. For this approach, additional sound attenuating material
may not be necessary. Another case where sound attenuating material
may not be necessary would be if the passageway structure was made
of sound absorbing material such as Styrofoam or one of many other
materials that absorb sound. There are numerous mechanisms for
closing the airflow path through vents. Some examples include
louvers, sliding panels, and rotating panels. Any available
mechanism for closing the airflow path through a vent would be
applicable.
* * * * *