U.S. patent application number 12/206387 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for radon vent fan system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fantech, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lindsay Ambler, Gary Craw, Richard Goguen, Ola Wettergren.
Application Number | 20090197519 12/206387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40429747 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090197519 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Craw; Gary ; et al. |
August 6, 2009 |
RADON VENT FAN SYSTEM
Abstract
A radon vent fan system includes an enclosure having an air
inlet and an air outlet disposed in aligned relation to one
another, and an assembly having a motor and an impeller associated
therewith, the assembly retained in the enclosure. The enclosure
provides a first condensate path between the air inlet and the air
outlet to direct condensate substantially away from the assembly
and to the air inlet, with the first condensate path being formed
of a channel proximate an inner wall of the enclosure.
Inventors: |
Craw; Gary; (Bradenton,
FL) ; Wettergren; Ola; (Sarasota, FL) ;
Goguen; Richard; (Cocagne New Brunswick, CA) ;
Ambler; Lindsay; (Myakka City, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP
1330 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Fantech, Inc.
Sarasota
FL
|
Family ID: |
40429747 |
Appl. No.: |
12/206387 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60970909 |
Sep 7, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 8/70 20210101; F24F
7/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/251 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/007 20060101
F24F007/007 |
Claims
1. A radon vent fan system comprising: an enclosure having an air
inlet and an air outlet disposed in aligned relation to one
another; an assembly having a motor and an impeller associated
therewith, the assembly retained in the enclosure; wherein the
enclosure provides a first condensate path between the air inlet
and the air outlet to direct condensate substantially away from the
assembly and to the air inlet, the first condensate path formed of
a channel proximate an inner wall of the enclosure.
2. The radon vent fan system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure
comprises a front portion and a rear portion demountably coupled to
each other.
3. The radon vent fan system of claim 2, wherein the front portion
and rear portion are coupled to each other in a clamshell
fashion.
4. The radon vent fan system of claim 2, wherein the air inlet is
entirely formed in the rear portion.
5. The radon vent fan system of claim 2, wherein the air outlet is
formed by combining the front portion and rear portion.
6. The radon vent fan system of claim 2, wherein the front portion
has a cover demountably coupled thereto.
7. The radon vent fan system of claim 2, wherein the channel is
integrally formed with the front portion.
8. The radon vent fan system of claim 2, wherein the motor is
coupled to the front portion.
9. The radon vent fan system of claim 1, further comprising a
compartment adjacent the air inlet and in communication
therewith.
10. The radon vent fan system of claim 9, wherein the compartment
comprises an opening in communication with a region proximate the
impeller.
11. The radon vent fan system of claim 9, wherein the channel is in
communication with the compartment.
12. The radon vent fan system of claim 1, wherein the channel is
formed when the front portion and the rear portion are demountably
coupled to each other.
13. The radon vent fan system of claim 1, wherein the air inlet and
air outlet are in aligned relation with respect to a first axis,
and the channel substantially extends parallel to the first
axis.
14. The radon vent fan system of claim 13, wherein the enclosure
further includes a wall disposed transverse to the first axis for
permitting build-up of static pressure capability of the
impeller.
15. The radon vent fan system of claim 1, wherein the air inlet is
disposed transverse to the air outlet.
16. The radon vent fan system of claim 15, wherein the air inlet is
disposed substantially perpendicular to the air outlet.
17. The radon vent fan system of claim 1, wherein the channel is
integrally formed with the enclosure.
18. A radon vent fan system comprising: an enclosure comprising an
inlet and an outlet disposed in aligned relation to one another
with respect to a first axis, the enclosure formed of a first
portion and a second portion demountably coupled to each other; an
assembly having a motor and an impeller associated therewith, the
assembly retained in the enclosure; a first condensate path between
the inlet and the outlet to direct condensate substantially away
from the assembly and toward the inlet, the first condensate path
comprising a channel proximate an inner wall of the enclosure and
substantially extending parallel to the first axis, the channel in
communication with a compartment adjacent to the inlet and the
compartment in communication with the inlet; a second condensate
path between a region proximate the impeller and the
compartment.
19. The radon vent fan system of claim 18, wherein the enclosure
further comprises a wall disposed transverse to the first axis for
permitting build-up of static pressure.
20. The radon vent fan system of claim 18, wherein the inlet is
disposed substantially perpendicular to the outlet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/970,909
filed Sep. 7, 2007 and entitled "Radon Vent Fan System" are claimed
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), and the entire contents of this
application are expressly incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to ventilation. The invention further
relates to a radon vent fan system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas. According to
the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is
the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. Accumulation of
radon in enclosed spaces such as residential settings is
particularly dangerous because this gas is colorless, odorless, and
tasteless and thus may remain unnoticed while posing a health risk.
The EPA recommends intervention to provide radon reduction when a
radon level is found to be 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or
higher.
[0004] Ventilation equipment is known for use in radon
applications. In order to address the potential for buildup of
elevated or dangerous levels of radon, mitigation equipment such as
a radon fan may be installed to create a low pressure area under
the slab so that the radon gas is extracted and expelled outside
before it can migrate into the structure. Radon fans can be
installed inside or outside a structure, and operate 24 hours per
day and 7 days per week.
[0005] In prior art radon mitigation systems, as shown for example
in FIG. 1, inlet and outlet portions 10a, 10b, respectively, of a
fan unit 10 typically are connected to vent pipe portions 12a, 12b
using a variety of external fittings 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 while a
separate condensate bypass pipe 19 also extends intermediate vent
pipe portions 12a, 12b, as shown for example in FIG. 1. Such use of
external fittings and a separate condensate bypass pipe increases
installation complexity, time, and expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A radon vent fan system includes an enclosure having an air
inlet and an air outlet disposed in aligned relation to one
another, and an assembly having a motor and an impeller associated
therewith, the assembly retained in the enclosure. The enclosure
provides a first condensate path between the air inlet and the air
outlet to direct condensate substantially away from the assembly
and to the air inlet, the first condensate path formed of a channel
proximate an inner wall of the enclosure.
[0007] In some embodiments, the enclosure may have a front portion
and a rear portion demountably coupled to each other, and the front
portion and rear portion may be coupled to each other in a
clamshell fashion. The air inlet may be entirely formed in the rear
portion, and the air outlet may be formed by combining the front
portion and rear portion. The front portion may have a cover
demountably coupled thereto. The channel may be integrally formed
with the front portion, and the motor may be coupled to the front
portion.
[0008] A compartment may be provided adjacent the air inlet and in
communication therewith. The compartment may include an opening in
communication with a region proximate the impeller. The channel may
be in communication with the compartment.
[0009] The channel may be formed when the front portion and the
rear portion are demountably coupled to each other.
[0010] The air inlet and air outlet may be in aligned relation with
respect to a first axis, and the channel may substantially extend
parallel to the first axis. The enclosure may further include a
wall disposed transverse to the first axis for permitting build-up
of static pressure capability of the impeller.
[0011] The air inlet may be disposed transverse to the air outlet,
and in some embodiments the air inlet may be disposed substantially
perpendicular to the air outlet.
[0012] The channel may be integrally formed with the enclosure.
[0013] In addition, a radon vent fan system may include an
enclosure having an inlet and an outlet disposed in aligned
relation to one another with respect to a first axis, the enclosure
being formed of a first portion and a second portion demountably
coupled to each other. The system further may include an assembly
having a motor and an impeller associated therewith, the assembly
being retained in the enclosure. A first condensate path may be
provided between the inlet and the outlet to direct condensate
substantially away from the assembly and toward the inlet, the
first condensate path including a channel proximate an inner wall
of the enclosure and substantially extending parallel to the first
axis, the channel being in communication with a compartment
adjacent to the inlet and the compartment being in communication
with the inlet. A second condensate path may be provided between a
region proximate the impeller and the compartment.
[0014] In some embodiments, the enclosure further includes a wall
disposed transverse to the first axis for permitting build-up of
static pressure. Also, the inlet may be disposed substantially
perpendicular to the outlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Preferred features of the present invention are disclosed in
the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art radon mitigation
system;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an
enclosure of a radon vent fan system;
[0018] FIG. 3 is another rear perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is another rear perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 5 is another rear perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 6 is another rear perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a font perspective view of the enclosure of FIG.
2;
[0023] FIG. 8 is another font perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 9 is another font perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the enclosure of FIG.
2;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the front portion of the enclosure
of FIG. 2 (with the tabs of the rear portion of the enclosure also
visible);
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the rear portion of
the enclosure of FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the rear portion of
the enclosure of FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the front portion of
the enclosure of FIG. 2 with a fan disposed therein covered by a
scroll;
[0030] FIG. 15 is another side perspective view of the front
portion of the enclosure of FIG. 2 with a fan disposed therein
without the scroll being installed;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the scroll of FIG.
14;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the scroll of FIG.
14;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of the inlet of the rear
portion of the enclosure of FIG. 12;
[0034] FIG. 19 shows additional views of the rear portion of the
enclosure of FIG. 2 including an inside perspective view (19A), an
outside perspective view (19B), a side view (19C), a
cross-sectional side view through A-A (19D), an outside top view
(19E), and another side view (19F);
[0035] FIG. 20 shows additional views of the front portion of the
enclosure of FIG. 2 including an outside perspective view (20A), an
inside perspective view (20B), a cross-sectional side view through
B-B (20C), an outside top view (20D), a side view (20E), and
another side view (20F);
[0036] FIG. 21 shows additional views of the scroll of the radon
vent fan system including an top perspective view (21A), a bottom
perspective view (21B), a cross-sectional side view through C-C
(21C), a top view (21D), a side view (21E), and another side view
(21F);
[0037] FIG. 22 shows additional views of the electrical cover of
the radon vent fan system including an outside perspective view
(22A), an inside perspective view (22B), a cross-sectional side
view through D-D (22C), an inside top view (19D), a side view
(22E), and another side view (22F);
[0038] FIG. 23 shows a cross-section of the enclosure of FIG. 2
with a condensate drain therein;
[0039] FIG. 24 shows another front perspective view of the
enclosure of FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 25 shows a side perspective view of the enclosure of
FIG. 2; and
[0041] FIG. 26 shows a side perspective view of the front portion
of the enclosure of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Terms such as "top," "bottom," "front" and "rear" as used
herein are provided as a non-limiting examples of the orientation
of features.
[0043] In one exemplary application, a radon fan is installed on
the exterior of a house and connected to an exterior venting pipe.
For example, an exemplary radon mitigation system includes a radon
vent pipe such as a 3 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe extending from
sub-slab gravel up to a vent stack discharge point above the
highest eave of the roof (e.g., 12 inches above the roof surface),
and an electric vent fan connected to the vent pipe. The radon vent
fan is installed in a vertical run of the vent pipe, for example
near where the radon vent pipe protrudes from the basement level of
the house to the outside.
[0044] An exemplary embodiment of an inventive radon vent fan
system is shown in FIGS. 1-26.
[0045] As shown for example in FIGS. 2-10, a radon vent fan system
includes a housing or enclosure 20 formed with a rear portion 22
and a front portion 24 coupled together in a clamshell fashion.
Enclosure 20 includes an inlet 32 which is integrally formed with
rear portion 22 in the exemplary embodiment. Enclosure 20 also
includes an outlet 34 of which a first portion 34a of outlet 34 is
integrally formed with rear portion 22 and a second portion 34b of
outlet 34 is integrally formed with front portion 24.
[0046] As can be seen for example in FIG. 13, in the exemplary
embodiment, rear portion 22 includes an outer rim 22a while front
portion 24 includes a protruding rim 24a. Outer rim 22a mates
within protruding rim 24a of front portion 24, as shown for example
in FIG. 3. Portions 22, 24 may be coupled to one another for
example using protrusions such as posts, for example a post at
corner 24b extending through a hole at corner 22b. Moreover, as
shown for example in FIGS. 8 and 14, front portion 24 of housing 20
may include a removable cover 42 for an electric compartment 44b.
Cover 42 may be coupled to rear portion 22 for example with
fasteners extending through holes 42a, 42b and received in rear
portion 22. A hole 45 for example may be provided in rear portion
22 so that wires from electrical compartment 44b may extend
therethrough.
[0047] Rear portion 22 of enclosure 20 includes a three point
mounting system in the form of tabs 30. Each of tabs 30 includes a
hole therein to accommodate a fastener such as threaded fastener
31. The vent fan enclosure thus may be fastened to the side of a
structure such as a house. Two tabs 30 are disposed proximate the
inlet 32 (low pressure end), while one tab 30 is disposed proximate
the outlet 34 (high pressure end). Such a three point mounting
system assists in minimizing vibration and noise transferred
between the radon vent fan system and the house.
[0048] In addition, rear portion 22 includes a central wall
disposed transverse to line 38 which permits build-up of static
pressure capability of the fan.
[0049] Turning to FIG. 2, the positioning of the inlet 32, outlet
34, and motor/fan unit 36 with respect to one another is shown.
Inlet 32 and outlet 34 preferably are aligned about line 38, while
being offset from motor/fan unit 36. Inlet 32 and outlet 34 may
open in directions perpendicular to one another, such that if the
inventive radon fan system were installed in place of fan unit 10
in FIG. 1, inlet 32 would be coupled to pipe portion 12a, while
outlet 34 would be coupled to pipe portion 12b. Preferably, the
inventive radon fan system would not require external fittings or a
separate condensate bypass pipe as shown in FIG. 1.
[0050] The exemplary inventive radon vent fan system permits
condensate to migrate from outlet 34 to inlet 32 without
interacting with motor/fan unit 36. By placing the motor/fan unit
36 out of the direct path of the condensate, motor failures due to
moisture can be decreased. It is known that significant moisture
can accumulate in the vent pipe, for example in cold weather when
warm, moist air from underground is circulated through the vent
pipe which is exposed to colder temperatures. The exemplary
inventive radon vent fan system provides positive drainage to the
ground beneath the slab or soil-gas-retarder. Thus, condensate
drips into the high pressure scroll region (an open region although
covered by cover 44) such as in direction D, where it flows to
region E (as shown in FIG. 15) and then through a small opening
such as a notch 60 (shown in FIG. 20B) which may be provided so
that the condensate further passes back to chamber 24c and then
down through inlet 32.
[0051] Motorized impeller unit 36 includes a motor 36a and an
impeller 36b. The motor for example may be an external rotor motor,
typically with the rotor external, as known in the art. The
impeller for example may be a backward curved impeller as known in
the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the impeller may have a
diameter of 7.48 inches, while the motor may have a power of 88
watts.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 14, fan inlet 32 is located at the lowest
point of the fan housing, remote from the Venturi inlet 40, such
that condensate can exit the fan housing from the low pressure
section of the fan. Also shown in FIG. 14, the electrical
compartment 44b is disposed in a corner region and is covered by
electrical cover 42 shown in detail in FIG. 22. In addition, a
scroll 44 is shown in installed position in FIG. 14, and is
separately shown for example in FIG. 21.
[0053] The water path for condensate is shown for example in FIGS.
23-26. With reference initially to FIG. 14, condensate may
accumulate in chamber 24c, which is an enclosed space formed
between the wall 24d of front portion 24 and a wall 27 formed
proximate a portion of a fan covered by scroll 44, as well as rear
portion 22. The condensate flows on the inside wall of ducting
communicating with housing 20 above the air flow outlet 34. In the
exemplary embodiment, such condensate is directed through a channel
50 generally disposed along line 50a (shown in FIG. 24) proximate
the perimeter of housing 20 which extends from proximate inlet 32
to proximate outlet 34. Channel forms a condensate drain, and may
be in the form of a tube created by the coupling of opposing
portions of rear and front portions 22, 24, respectively. As shown
in the cross-section of FIG. 23, channel 50 need not be circular,
but in some exemplary embodiments may be circular. In particular,
as seen in FIG. 15, a coupling 43 (partially shown) is attached to
and extends around air flow outlet 34, being coupled thereto at the
circumference of the region of greater diameter 34c (which includes
the portions of outlet 34 on both rear and front portions 22, 24,
respectively). A space 35 thus is created between coupling 43 and
outlet 34 proximate the region thereof of lesser diameter 34d (with
space 35 preferably extending all the way around outlet 34, such
that condensate flowing on the inside wall of the ducting is
directed into channel 50, which in the exemplary embodiment is
disposed substantially vertical except a short dogleg region
50b.
[0054] Advantageously, in the exemplary embodiment, channel 50 is
disposed substantially parallel to the direction of condensate flow
(e.g., vertical). By orienting channel 50 substantially parallel to
the direction of condensate flow between inlet 32 and outlet 34,
rather than perpendicular to the direction of condensate flow, the
likelihood of freezing and clogging of channel 50 is lowered.
During very cold weather, it is important to facilitate draining of
condensate and the exemplary embodiment permits condensate to flow
with gravitational assistance.
[0055] Advantageously, the condensate drain of the exemplary
embodiment may be molded into the housing 20. Moreover, because
relatively warm air enters cavity 24c through inlet 32, the space
therein may be maintained at relatively warm temperature to resist
freezing of condensate during cold weather.
[0056] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, a gasket 52 may be disposed
around inlet 32 such that inlet 32 may be press fit to a pipe
portion 12a thereby eliminating the need to apply any sealant to
the interface as necessary with prior art devices. The gasket thus
reduces installation and service time as well as associated
costs.
[0057] In the exemplary embodiment, rear portion 22 has a length
d.sub.1 of about 44.7 cm, a width d.sub.2 of about 33.1 cm, and a
height d.sub.3 of about 11.5 cm. In the exemplary embodiment, front
portion 24 has a height d.sub.4 of about 7.3 cm, a length d.sub.5
of about 40.4 cm, a length d.sub.6 of about 45.1 cm, and a width
d.sub.7 of about 34.0 cm. In the exemplary embodiment, cover 44 has
a length d.sub.8 of about 31.4 cm and a length d.sub.9 of about
27.8 cm. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, cover 42 has a
height d.sub.10 of about 4.18 cm, a length d.sub.11 of about 15.0
cm, and a length d.sub.12 of about 9.6 cm.
[0058] Finally, the inventive system is provided in an
aesthetically pleasing outer shape suitable for use on the side of
a house.
[0059] While various descriptions of the present invention are
described above, it should be understood that the various features
can be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this
invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred
embodiments depicted herein.
[0060] Further, it should be understood that variations and
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may
occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one
versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are
within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be
included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope
of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the
appended claims.
* * * * *