U.S. patent application number 13/194779 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for fresh air recovery system.
Invention is credited to Zivota Nikolic.
Application Number | 20120028560 13/194779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44630396 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120028560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nikolic; Zivota |
February 2, 2012 |
Fresh Air Recovery System
Abstract
The present invention, accordingly, provides a fresh air
recovery system preferably including at least one intake opening in
a first wall defining a portion of an enclosed space allowing air
on an exterior side of the first wall to pass through the first
wall into the enclosed space; and at least one exhaust opening in a
second wall defining a portion of the enclosed space allowing air
on an interior side of the second wall to pass through the second
wall into an ambient environment external to the enclosed
space.
Inventors: |
Nikolic; Zivota; (Fort
Worth, TX) |
Family ID: |
44630396 |
Appl. No.: |
13/194779 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61368866 |
Jul 29, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/239 ;
454/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/70 20180101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2110/20 20180101; F24F 2110/76 20180101;
F24F 2011/0004 20130101; F24F 2007/0025 20210101; F24F 7/013
20130101; F24F 11/0001 20130101; F24F 11/61 20180101; F24F 11/70
20180101; F24F 2110/50 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/239 ;
454/237 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Claims
1. A fresh air recovery system comprising: at least one intake
opening positioned in at least one first wall defining a portion of
an enclosed space allowing air on an exterior side of the at least
one first wall to pass through the at least one first wall into the
enclosed space; and at least one exhaust opening in at least one
second wall defining a portion of the enclosed space allowing air
on an interior side of the at least one second wall to pass through
the at least one second wall into an environment external of the
enclosed space.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one intake opening
further comprises at least one vent.
3. The system of claim 2 further comprising an HVAC system that
powers off when the at least one vent is activated.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one vent further
comprises an electronically controlled vent having varying states
of being open between completely open and completely closed.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the system further comprises an
electronic controller communicatively coupled to the at least one
vent and configured to variably open and close the at least one
vent.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the electronic controller is
configured to operate the at least one vent in response to a
timer.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the electronic controller is
configured to operate the at least one vent in response to the
oxygen level in the enclosed space.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein the electronic controller is
configured to operate the at least one vent in response to the
carbon dioxide level in the enclosed space.
9. The system of claim 5 wherein the electronic controller is
configured to operate the at least one vent in response to at least
one of the oxygen level in the enclosed space, the carbon dioxide
level in the enclosed space, and a timer
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one exhaust opening
further comprises at least one exhaust fan configured to draw air
out of the enclosed space into the environment external of the
enclosed space.
11. The system of claim 10 further comprising an HVAC system that
powers off when the at least one exhaust fan is activated.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one exhaust fan
further comprises at least one electronically controlled exhaust
fan having variable speed.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the system further comprises at
least one electronic controller communicatively coupled to the at
least one exhaust fan and configured to variably operate the at
least one exhaust fan.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one electronic
controller is configured to operate the at least one exhaust fan in
response to at least one timer.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one electronic
controller is configured to operate the at least one exhaust fan in
response to the oxygen level in the enclosed space.
16. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one electronic
controller is configured to operate the at least one exhaust fan in
response to the carbon dioxide level in the enclosed space.
17. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one electronic
controller is configured to operate the at least one exhaust fan in
response to at least one of the oxygen level in the enclosed space,
the carbon dioxide level in the enclosed space, and a timer.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosed space comprises one
or more interior walls having at least one air flow opening
allowing air flow from the at least one intake opening to the at
least one exhaust opening.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one exhaust opening
and the at least one intake opening are coupled to operate
synchronously.
20. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one exhaust opening
and the at least one intake opening are operable to maintain a
desired air pressure in said enclosed space.
21. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one intake opening
is positioned in an upper portion of the at least one first wall,
and the at least one exhaust opening is positioned in an lower
portion of the at least one second wall.
22. A fresh air recovery system consisting essentially of: at least
one intake opening positioned in at least one first wall defining a
portion of an enclosed space allowing air on an exterior side of
the at least one first wall to pass through the at least one first
wall into the enclosed space; and at least one exhaust opening in
at least one second wall defining a portion of the enclosed space
allowing air on an interior side of the at least one second wall to
pass through the at least one second wall into an environment
external of the enclosed space.
23. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one intake opening
further comprises at least one vent.
24. The system of claim 23 further comprising an HVAC system that
powers off when the at least one vent is activated.
25. The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one vent further
comprises an electronically controlled vent having varying states
of being open between completely open and completely closed.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein the system further comprises an
electronic controller communicatively coupled to the at least one
vent and configured to variably open and close the at least one
vent.
27. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one exhaust opening
further comprises at least one exhaust fan configured to draw air
out of the enclosed space into the environment external of the
enclosed space.
28. The system of claim 27 further comprising an HVAC system that
powers off when the at least one exhaust fan is activated.
29. The system of claim 27 wherein the at least one exhaust fan
further comprises at least one electronically controlled exhaust
fan having variable speed.
30. The system of claim 27 wherein the at least one electronic
controller is configured to operate the at least one exhaust fan in
response to at least one timer.
31. The system of claim 27 wherein the at least one electronic
controller is configured to operate the at least one exhaust fan in
response to a sensor of at least one of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and
humidity.
32. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one exhaust opening
and the at least one intake opening are operable to maintain a
desired air pressure in said enclosed space.
33. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one intake opening
is positioned in an upper portion of the at least one first wall,
and the at least one exhaust opening is positioned in an lower
portion of the at least one second wall.
34. A method for recovering fresh air, the method comprising:
allowing air in an environment on an exterior side of an at least
one first wall defining a portion of an enclosed space to pass
through at least one intake opening positioned in the at least one
first wall into the enclosed space; and allowing air on an interior
side of an at least one second wall defining a portion of an
enclosed space to pass through at least one exhaust opening
positioned in the at least one second wall into the environment
external of the enclosed space.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/368,866, filed Jul. 29, 2010, which application
is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to the air quality of an
enclosed space and, more particularly, to a system for introducing
fresh air into an enclosed space, particularly a building or
home.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Over the past forty years, the construction industry in the
United States focused its efforts on improving occupant comfort in
a finished building. A key way to increase occupant comfort
involved the introduction of heating, ventilating, and
air-conditioning (hereinafter "HVAC") equipment on a large scale.
This equipment allowed occupants to control the interior
environment of the building so that the occupant could keep the
interior building temperature in a range the occupant considered
comfortable.
[0004] Unfortunately, this HVAC equipment increased energy
consumption, which in turn increased the cost to own and operate
the building. As a result, the construction industry and the HVAC
industry began to research the causes behind the large energy
consumption of HVAC equipment. The industries discovered that
construction standards at the time allowed for air outside the
building to seep into the building and conditioned air inside the
building to seep out of the building. This seepage, or air
exchange, necessitated that the HVAC equipment operate more
frequently to keep the interior building temperature in the desired
range. Increased operation meant increased energy consumption and
increased costs to the building owner/occupant. To combat this, the
construction industry has developed methods and practices during
the last forty years to decrease the amount of air exchange, in
effect the construction industry has developed methods to better
seal buildings and decrease the amount of outside air seeping into
the interior space.
[0005] A second cause for increased energy consumption related to
the HVAC equipment itself. When first introduced, HVAC equipment
drew air exclusively from the area outside of the building. The
HVAC equipment would then cool or heat the air prior to exhausting
the treated air into the interior building environment. The HVAC
industry discovered that if the HVAC equipment instead drew air
from the interior space, it required less energy to heat or cool
the air to the desired temperature, thus reducing costs to building
owner/occupant. Presently, HVAC equipment draws air almost
exclusively from the interior building space, virtually eliminating
the amount of non-recycled air introduced into the building's
interior.
[0006] During the time period that buildings became better sealed
and HVAC equipment more efficient, the United States has seen a
significant increase in the incidence of obesity, diabetes,
Alzheimer's, asthma, and birth defects, such as autism, as well as
lower energy levels among the populace. This can be traced at least
in part to exposure to decreased oxygen levels. In a sealed
environment, occupants within the space are breathing air that has
already been processed through the occupant's body. Thus, with each
breath, the occupant in a sealed environment is reducing the amount
of available oxygen. A reduction in available oxygen can lead to a
decrease in body functions, causing the body to burn fewer calories
and store more fat. Similarly, the reduction in the amount of
available oxygen is known to exacerbate the symptoms of those
suffering from mental illness and increase the instances of asthma.
In addition, a reduction in available oxygen can cause mutations in
a child's in utero development leading to conditions like
autism.
[0007] Therefore, it would be desirable for a system to increase
the amount of available oxygen in a building environment, thus
helping to reduce obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, asthma and the
risk of potential birth defects, alleviate the symptoms of mental
illness, and increase energy levels of occupants of buildings,
without reducing the efficiency of an HVAC system.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention, accordingly, provides a Fresh Air
Recovery System comprising an intake opening in a first wall
defining a portion of an enclosed space allowing air on an exterior
side of the first wall to pass through the first wall into the
enclosed space; and an exhaust opening in a second wall defining a
portion of the enclosed space allowing air on an interior side of
the second wall to pass through the second wall into an ambient
environment.
[0009] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims
of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may
be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 exemplifies a perspective view of a building
embodying features of the fresh air recovery system of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the building of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of the building of FIG.
1; and
[0014] FIG. 4 exemplifies a perspective view of an alternative
building embodying features of the fresh air recovery system of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following discussion, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without such specific
details. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning basic
building construction and materials and the like have been omitted
inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a
complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered
to be within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the
relevant art.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a fresh air recovery
system 10 having an exemplified by a building 100 defining an
enclosed space 200. The building 100 comprises at least a first
wall 101, a second wall 102, a third wall 103, a fourth wall 104, a
floor 105, and a ceiling 106, each defining a portion of the outer
boundaries of the building 100. The enclosed space 200 comprises a
volume of air that is sealed from a volume of air existing outside
of the enclosed space 200. In the embodiment exemplified, air
cannot pass between the enclosed space 200 and a space outside of
the building 100. As used herein, the term "sealed" implies a
negligible (possibly zero) rate of air transfer across the outer
boundaries of the building 100 such that an entity placed within
the enclosed space 200 that relies upon oxygen respiration to
survive will deplete the available amount of oxygen in the air
contained within the volume of the enclosed space over time.
[0017] In accordance with principles of the present invention, the
building 100 preferably includes a first opening 301 and a second
opening 302 strategically positioned to facilitate maximum air flow
through the entire space 200. By way of example, and as exemplified
in FIG. 1, the first wall 101 further defines a first opening 301
preferably located proximate to the ceiling 106 and the third wall
103. The second wall 102 further defines a second opening 302
preferably located proximate to the floor 105 and the fourth wall
104. An electronically controlled vent 311, preferably having
varying states of being open between completely open and completely
closed, fits within the first wall opening 301 such that movement
of the vanes of the vent 311 may alternatively allow more or less
air to pass through the first wall opening 301 between the area
outside the building 100 and the enclosed space 200. Similarly, an
exhaust fan 312 fits within the second wall opening 302 such that
operation of the exhaust fan 312 alternatively increases and
decreases the volume of air passing from the enclosed space 200 to
the area outside of the building 100. The fan 312 is preferably
configured to be operable at a variable speed. A person of ordinary
skill in the art will understand that the locations of the first
wall opening 301 and the second wall opening 302 may vary in order
to maximize the air flow rate between the enclosed space 200 and
the area outside the building 100.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, an electronic controller 300 is
coupled to the vent 311 via electrical wires 304 and to the exhaust
fan 312 via electrical wires 304 for controlling operation of each.
The controller 300 is preferably configured for manual operation
and/or automated operation utilizing a timer (preferably integrated
into the controller), an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor,
humidity sensor, and/or an air pressure sensor. The oxygen sensor,
carbon dioxide sensor, humidity sensor, and/or air pressure sensor
are preferably positioned both the interior and exterior of the
building 100, preferably proximate to the vent 311 and/or wherever
people generally reside or sleep, and are coupled to the controller
300 via wires 308. The sensors positioned on the interior of the
building 100 are designated collectively by the reference numeral
320, and the sensors positioned on the exterior of the building 100
are designated collectively by the reference numeral 322. While it
is preferred that both interior and exterior sensors be used, the
system is operable with only interior sensors, or even no sensors,
and as discussed below, is operable manually.
[0019] In a first preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan 312 and the
vent 311 are manually controlled via the controller 300,
necessitating that the operation of each device occur at the
initiation of manual action. In a second preferred embodiment, the
exhaust fan 312 and the vent 311 are electronically controlled by
the timer coupled to the controller 300 that initiates the
operation of the exhaust fan 312 and the vent 311 at timed
intervals throughout a 24-hour period.
[0020] In a third preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan 312 and the
vent 311 are electronically controlled by the oxygen sensors 320
and 322 coupled to the controller 300 that initiates operation, to
the degree necessary, of the exhaust fan 312 and the vent 311 when
the interior oxygen sensor 320 reads less than a preset level of
oxygen within the volume of space where the oxygen sensor 320 is
placed, and the exterior oxygen sensor 322, if there is one, reads
a higher level of oxygen.
[0021] In a fourth preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan 312 and
the vent 311 are electronically controlled by the carbon dioxide
sensors 320 and 322 coupled to the controller 300 that initiates
operation, to the degree necessary, of the exhaust fan 312 and the
vent 311 when the interior carbon dioxide sensor 320 reads more
than a preset level of carbon dioxide within the volume of space
where the carbon dioxide sensor is placed, and the exterior carbon
dioxide sensor 322, if there is one, reads a lower level of carbon
dioxide.
[0022] In a fifth preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan 312 and the
vent 311 are electronically controlled by the humidity sensors 320
and 322 coupled to the controller 300 that initiates operation, to
the degree necessary, of the exhaust fan 312 and of the vent 311
when the interior humidity sensors sensor 320 reads more than a
preset level of humidity within the volume of space where the
carbon dioxide sensor is placed, and the exterior humidity sensor
322, if there is one, reads a lower level of humidity.
[0023] In a sixth preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan 312 and the
vent 311 are electronically controlled by the air pressure sensors
320 and 322 coupled to the controller 300 that initiates opening to
the degree necessary of the vent 311 (1) to decrease air pressure
when the interior air pressure is high and exterior air pressure is
low, or (2) to increase air pressure if interior air pressure is
low and exterior air pressure is high. Alternatively, if both
interior and exterior air pressure are high, then the exhaust fan
312 may be activated to pass air from the interior to the exterior.
If both interior and exterior air pressure are low, then the
exhaust fan 312 may be activated in reverse to pass air from the
exterior to the interior. The air pressure sensors 320 and 322 may
be used in conjunction with other methods described herein to, for
example, close a vent 311 before or after powering off a fan 312 as
needed to maintain air pressure. A person of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that the means for controlling the exhaust fan
312 and the vent 311 may alternatively use any of the above means
in combination with one another such that the overall system
operates as described below.
[0024] When operation is desired, e.g., a manual determination to
operate the fresh air recovery system 10 is reached, a preset
oxygen level is reached, a preset carbon dioxide level is reached,
a preset time occurs, and/or a preset air pressure is reached, as
discussed above, the vent 311 is activated so that outside air
(i.e., air outside the building 100) may freely flow into the
enclosed space 200. In addition, the exhaust fan 312 is operated,
preferably synchronously with the vent 311, to draw air within the
enclosed space 200 into the area exterior to the building 100.
Alternatively, operation of the exhaust fan 312 and the vent 311
may reverse the air flow, drawing outside air into the enclosed
space 200 through the exhaust fan 312 and exhausting air through
the vent 311. Operation of the exhaust fan 312 and the vent 311
continues until the air within the enclosed space 200 is
sufficiently exchanged with air outside the enclosed space 200,
e.g., a manual determination is made to cease operation, a preset
oxygen level is reached, a preset carbon dioxide level is reached,
and/or a preset time occurs. If the building 100 is equipped with
HVAC, then the HVAC is preferably powered off while the vent 311
and fan 312 are operating.
[0025] FIG. 4 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the
invention in which building 400 comprises multiple rooms,
exemplified as two rooms 410 and 412. As shown, the building 400 is
preferably provided with one fan 312, but each room 410 and 412 is
preferably provided with a respective vent 311 and 411. The vent
311 is preferably provided with an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide
sensor, humidity sensor, and/or an air pressure sensor,
collectively designated with the reference numeral 320 for interior
(of room 410) sensors, and collectively designated with the
reference numeral 322 for exterior (of room 410) sensors, as
described above. Similarly, the vent 411 is preferably provided
with an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, humidity sensor,
and/or an air pressure sensor, collectively designated with the
reference numeral 420 for interior (of room 410) sensors, and
collectively designated with the reference numeral 422 for exterior
(of room 410) sensors, as described above. The fan 312 and vents
311 and 411 are controlled by the controller 300 manually or
automatically from the respective sensors 320, 322 for vent 311,
and sensors 420 and 422 for vent 411. Similarly as described above
with respect to FIG. 1. A door 414 between the rooms allows for air
to flow between the rooms. The door 414 may optionally have a
raised lower edge to allow air flow even when the door is closed.
In operation, the controller 300 runs the fan 312 while each vent
311 and 411 is sequentially opened and then closed, so that only
one vent 311 or 411 is open at a time. In larger buildings,
multiple fans 312 may be employed.
[0026] In further alternative embodiments, additional walls may
exist within the enclosed space 200 defined by the outer boundaries
of the building 100. In these instances, additional openings may be
placed within the interior walls to allow for free passage of air
throughout the enclosed space 200. A person of ordinary skill in
the art will also understand that the first wall opening 301 and
the second wall opening 302 may include filters and other media to
inhibit the movement of undesired objects and allergens from
passing into the enclosed space 200. In addition, other embodiments
may include multiple exhaust fans 312 and/or multiple vents 311 as
needed to efficiently exchange air within the enclosed space for
air outside the enclosed space. Still further, the fresh air
recovery system of the present invention may be integrated into an
otherwise conventional system that has ventilation already
installed within the building 100. Still further, the one or
multiple exhaust fans 312 and one or multiple vents 311 may be
electronically coupled via the wires 304 and 306, or other means,
such as a wireless connection, low voltage connection, or the like,
so that, should other controls fail, operation of the one or
multiple exhaust fans 312 is always synchronized with operation of
the one or multiple exhaust fans 312, so that relatively constant
air pressure within the space 200 is maintained, the air pressure
preferably being sensed by an air pressure sensor coupled with the
controller 300.
[0027] It may be appreciated that by implementing the present
invention, many advantages over the conventional art is obtained.
For example, the amount of available oxygen in a building
environment is increased, thus helping to reduce obesity, diabetes,
asthma, the risk of potential birth defects, and Alzheimer's,
increase occupant energy levels, and alleviate the symptoms of
mental illness. Moving a relatively large quantity of air through a
building relatively quickly over a short period of time is much
more efficient than having air slowly leaking in continuously
through, e.g., cracks in window seals.
[0028] Having thus described the present invention by reference to
certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the
embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in
nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes,
and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and,
in some instances, some features of the present invention may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many
such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and
desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the
foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
* * * * *