U.S. patent application number 13/527434 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-19 for vent cover with paddle wheel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yvonne Roberts, Bryan Sanderson. Invention is credited to Yvonne Roberts, Bryan Sanderson.
Application Number | 20130337738 13/527434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49756330 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130337738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanderson; Bryan ; et
al. |
December 19, 2013 |
VENT COVER WITH PADDLE WHEEL
Abstract
A duct vent cover attaches to an exterior wall at a duct exhaust
point. The duct vent cover comprises a hood, mounting bracket, and
a paddle wheel. The duct vent cover shields the duct vent from
weather effects. The paddle wheel deters the ingress of wildlife,
such as, for example, birds, squirrels and other animals which nest
in vents, while allowing the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other
debris.
Inventors: |
Sanderson; Bryan;
(Williamsburg, VA) ; Roberts; Yvonne;
(Williamsburg, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sanderson; Bryan
Roberts; Yvonne |
Williamsburg
Williamsburg |
VA
VA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49756330 |
Appl. No.: |
13/527434 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/367 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/20 20130101;
F24F 13/08 20130101; F24F 2221/52 20130101; F24F 2007/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/367 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/20 20060101
F24F013/20 |
Claims
1. A duct cover with a paddle wheel comprising: a hood comprising
an inner cavity, the inner cavity defined by a top wall, an inner
wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall; a paddle wheel
disposed at least partially within the inner cavity, the paddle
wheel comprising a plurality of paddles, the paddle wheel rotating
freely around an axle, the axle terminating at a first end at the
first side wall and terminating at a second end at the second side
wall; and the top wall having a bottom edge, a first side edge from
which extends the first side wall, a second side edge from which
extends the second side wall, and a top edge from which extends the
inner wall.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a bottom wall
extending from the bottom edge of the top wall, the bottom wall
comprising an exhaust aperture, the center of the exhaust aperture
is approximately vertically aligned with the axle of the paddle
wheel.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein: the top wall comprises an inner
surface that curves from the top edge to the bottom edge; the hood
directs exhaust air from the duct exhaust point past the paddle
wheel; and the paddle wheel rotates responsive to the flow of the
exhaust air.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein: the paddle wheel is visible
through the exhaust aperture to provide a visual indication of the
relative rate of flow of the exhaust air past the paddle wheel.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of paddles are
spaced with such proximity on the paddle wheel as to hinder ingress
of small animals into the duct exhaust point.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a mounting bracket
having an aperture, the aperture receiving and positioning a duct
vent at the duct exhaust point; the mounting bracket attaching to
the hood at the inner wall.
7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: a plurality of
backflow flappers, each of the plurality of backflow flappers
hingedly attached to the mounting bracket; and each of the
plurality of backflow flappers opening responsive to exhaust air
from the duct exhaust point.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of
backflow flappers, each of the plurality of backflow flappers
hingedly attached to the inner wall; and each of the plurality of
backflow flappers opening responsive to exhaust air from the duct
exhaust point.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein: each paddle of the plurality of
paddles comprises a brush seal.
10. A device for regulating flow through a vent hood comprising: a
paddle wheel comprising a plurality of paddles, the paddle wheel
rotating freely around an axle, wherein the paddle wheel rotates
with the passage of air and is dimensioned to prevent the ingress
of wildlife and dimensioned to permit the egress of air and debris.
Description
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but
otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0002] I. Field
[0003] This invention relates to covers for vents.
[0004] II. Description of Related Art
[0005] Dryers and other household appliances typically generate
waste air which needs to be exhausted. This waste air is typically
exhausted through tubing leading from the appliance to an outdoor
space. Successful venting to the outdoors requires an aperture at
the termination of the tubing through which the waste air can flow.
This aperture is the vent opening.
[0006] An effective vent opening allows the flow of air from the
vent tubing and thus the appliance. Thus, it is advantageous to
facilitate exhaust through the vent opening. An occlusion prevents
the flow of air from the vent tubing or duct work, thereby
preventing the flow of appliance's exhaust air and increasing the
risk of appliance failure, such as by overheating the appliance's
motor, increasing drying times, or unsafe levels of heat buildup
elsewhere.
[0007] A vent opening which is too occluded constitutes several
risks. It may effectively block the air flow from the appliance by
completely obstructing the vent opening. It may also increase the
risk of fire by preventing the free flow of lint or other debris
along with the exhaust air, thereby causing a clog in the vent
tubing which decreases appliance performance, increases the risk of
appliance failure, and increases the risk of a fire.
[0008] Conversely, a vent opening which is insufficiently occluded
constitutes several different risks. Wildlife, perhaps attracted by
the warmth of the exhaust air or the convenience of a nesting
location, may ingress into the vent tubing. For example, birds will
often nest in vent openings. Further, rain and other weather
effects can be detrimental to exposed vent tubing.
[0009] Hoods to shield the vent opening against weather effects,
particularly precipitation, are known in the art. Flaps, grilles,
and grating to guard against wildlife ingress are known in the art.
Specifically, the building code of some jurisdictions requires the
use of backflow flappers. Though these flappers are designed to
allow air flow to pass in only one direction, small animals such as
birds are known to lift one of the backflow flappers and ingress
into the duct cover. Thus, it is desirable to provide a device
which allows air to exhaust from a duct vent and prevents air from
entering it, but also prevents the ingress of wildlife.
[0010] Grills and grating are unmoving parts and so provide no
visual feedback to a viewer regarding the rate or volume of air
flow. Flaps can become stuck open, which not only defeats their
ability to prevent a backdraft, but also prevents any visual
feedback to the viewer. Thus, it is desirable to provide a device
which provides visual feedback to a view regarding the amount of
air flow. Flaps can be opened or circumvented by birds, which
gather twigs and other debris to form a nest. In turn, the nest
forms a substantial occlusion. Thus, even a vent opening with
backflow flaps is still susceptible to blockage by a nesting
bird.
[0011] Notwithstanding these known advances, the problem of vents
openings becoming clogged over time remains. Dryer vents, in
particular, tend to become clogged over time with dryer lint.
Exhaust air from the dryer contains some amount of dryer lint.
Dryer vent covers with flaps, grilles, or grating increase the rate
of lint accumulation by catching some of this lint. The lint caught
exacerbates the problem further by, in turn, catching more lint.
Thus begins a cycle culminating in a clogged dryer vent.
[0012] The above problems, and others, are reduced by the invention
as herein described and shown.
SUMMARY
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a cover for
an exhaust point of an appliance duct. For example, the invention
may attach to the exterior surface of a home where an appliance
duct terminates.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to prevent
contamination or infestation in the duct by helping to prevent the
ingress of weather effects and wildlife.
[0015] An object of the present invention is to facilitate the
egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris.
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a paddle
wheel that rotates by force of the exhaust air flowing from the
exhaust point to the outdoors.
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide visual
feedback of the rate and volume of air flowing from the exhaust
point by use of color, texture, and movement.
[0018] Household appliances or other machines vent in to a duct
system to vent exhaust air into outside of a building. The point at
which a duct vent breaches an exterior wall of the building and
exhausts air to the outdoors is duct exhaust point. An object of
the present invention is to provide a cover that attaches to an
exterior wall at a duct exhaust point to shield the duct vent from
weather effects and prevent the ingress of animals, particularly
those animals which nest in vents, while allowing the egress of
exhaust air, lint, and other debris.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The exemplary embodiments, objects, uses, advantages, and
novel features are more clearly understood by reference to the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying
figures wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The duct cover 101 has an open bottom 103, an inner wall
105, and a top wall 107. The duct cover 101 also has side walls
123. The open bottom 103, inner wall 105, top wall 107, and side
walls 123 define an inner cavity 121. Disposed within this inner
cavity 121 is a paddle wheel 113. The paddle wheel 113 rotates
freely around an axle 115. The axle 115 is connected at each of its
two ends at each of one of the two side walls 123, spanning the
distance between them. The paddle wheel 113 has a plurality of
paddles 109. In this embodiment, there are eight paddles 109.
[0027] Each of the paddles 109 may be substantially identical.
Conversely, one or more of the paddles 109 may differ from the
others in material aspects. For example, one of the paddles 109 may
be weighted more than the others, thereby disposing the paddle
wheel 113 toward a certain orientation.
[0028] The top wall 107 is curved to help direct air flow from the
duct vent (not shown) down toward the open bottom 103. The top wall
107 may comprise a plurality of separate pieces or a single, curved
piece. Rather than being curved, the top wall 107 may be strait but
run at an angle between the inner wall 105 and the open bottom wall
103, thereby forming a triangle shape between them. The top wall
107 may comprise a series of angled surfaces approximating a
curve.
[0029] The duct cover 101 attaches to the exterior surface or wall
of a house or building at attachment points 111. The attachment
points 11 may be secured by a screw, nail, stud, peg, brad, bolt,
or similar device.
[0030] Eight evenly spaced, straight paddles 109 are shown in this
embodiment. The paddles 109 may be unevenly spaced around the
paddle wheel 113. The paddles 109 may be curved rather than
straight. The paddles 109 may spiral around the paddle wheel
113.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The duct cover 201 has a duct cover body 203.
The paddle wheel 207 is positioned within duct cover body 203 at an
open bottom 205. The paddle wheel 207 rotates about the axle 209.
The axle 209 terminates at each end at axle ends 221. The axle ends
221 attach to the duct cover body 203 by mating with divot or
depression, traversing an aperture, or similar method. The
attachment of axle ends 221 of axle 209 to duct cover body 203 may
be rotatable or may be fixed. That is, the paddle wheel 215 rotates
about axle 209, which, in turn, may or may not rotate within the
duct cover body. In the current embodiment, the paddle wheel 207
spans less than the full width of the open bottom 205, and thus has
a shorter length than that of the axle 209. Axle end caps 215
protect the exposed portions of the axle 209, position the paddle
wheel 207 relative to the open bottom 205, and discourage lint
buildup at the axle 209. A pin 213 at one end of the axle 209
prevents the axle from being removed from the duct cover body 203.
However, for servicing, replacement of the paddle wheel 207, or
other required access to the interior of the vent cover body 203,
the pin 213 may be removed, thereby allowing the axle 209 to be
extracted from the vent cover body 203 and freeing the paddle wheel
207. A weep hole 219 allows any water in the interior of the duct
cover body 203 to seep out of the duct cover body 203.
[0032] The open bottom 205 may present an opening narrower than the
widest part of the duct cover body 203. The vent duct 223 will
exhaust a certain volume of air flow, which volume may vary of time
based on the type, number, and activity of the machine or machines
venting into the duct system. Substantially all of the air flow
from the vent duct 221 enters the duct cover body 203 and passes by
and interacts with the paddle wheel 207 as it leaves the duct cover
body 203 by way of the opening of the open bottom 205. The paddle
wheel 207 may be configured to minimize the amount of air
resistance it poses such as, for example, by minimizing the
resistance of the paddle wheel 207 rotating about its axle 209. The
opening of the open body 205 may be configured to accommodate the
volume of air flow from the vent duct 221, accounting for the air
resistance posed by the paddle wheel 207. Thus, the size of the
opening in the open bottom 205 may bear some relationship to the
size of the vent duct 221 and the air resistance of the paddle
wheel 207.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an aspect of the
present invention. The duct cover 301 has an open bottom 303, an
inner wall 327, and a top wall 307. The duct cover 301 also has
side walls (not shown). The open bottom 303, inner wall 327, top
wall 307, and side walls (not shown) define an inner cavity 321.
Disposed at least partially within this inner cavity 321 is a
paddle wheel 313. The paddle wheel 313 rotates freely around an
axle 315. The axle 315 is connected at each of its two ends at each
of one of the two side walls (not shown), spanning the distance
between them. The paddle wheel 313 has a plurality of paddles 309
extending therefrom. Eight evenly spaced, straight paddles 309 are
shown in this embodiment. The paddles 309 may be unevenly spaced
around the paddle wheel 313. The paddles 309 may be curved rather
than straight. The paddles 309 may spiral around the paddle wheel
313. The paddles 309 may run the full length of the paddle wheel
313 or only part of the length. The paddles 309 may be of equal or
unequal lengths with respect to one another.
[0034] The mounting bracket 305 positions as a collar around the
vent duct 319. Where the vent duct 319 penetrates an outer wall of
the building, a portion of the vent duct 319 is exposed. This
exposed portion of the vent duct 319 passes through an
appropriately-sized aperture on the mounting bracket 305 and
secured thereto. For example, the aperture may have a diameter
approximately equal to the diameter of the vent duct where it
terminates. The mounting bracket 305 may be attached directly to
the exterior wall of the building from which the vent duct 319
exits. The inner wall 327 is attached to the mounting bracket 305.
The mounting bracket 305 attaches to the wall via attachment points
325. The attachment points 325 may be secured by a screw, nail,
stud, peg, brad, bolt, or similar device.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a front view of an aspect of the present
invention. A paddle wheel 401 comprises a plurality of paddles 405.
Each of the plurality of paddles 405 extends from a body 407. The
paddle wheel 401 rotates around an axis 403. The axis 403 runs
through the center of the body 407. The axis 403 partially emerges
from the body 407 at end tips 409a and 409b. The end tips 409a and
409b are each configured to engage with an aperture or divot in a
side wall of a dryer vent cover.
[0036] Each of the plurality of paddles 405 has a width less than
that of the body 407. The plurality of paddles 405 extend from the
body 407 at staggered attachment points in a stepped spiral
fashion. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, each of the plurality of
paddles 405 is one fifth the width of the body 407.
Correspondingly, a completed stepped spiral sequence requires five
paddles in the plurality of paddles 405. However, alternate
configurations are possible. For example, the attachment points of
the plurality of paddles 405 could be distributed evenly or
unevenly along the width of the body 407; the plurality of paddles
405 could collectively span the entire width of the body 407 or
could collectively span less than the entire width of the body 407;
and/or the plurality of paddles 405 could each be sized to create
overlap such that the sum of the widths of each of the plurality of
paddles 405 exceeds the width of the body 407. Various other
configurations are possible, as will be appreciated.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present
invention. A paddle wheel 501 comprises a plurality of paddles 503.
Each of the paddles 503 is, in this embodiment, identical to each
of the other paddles 503. Each of the paddles 503 comprises a
substantially strait section 505 and a curved section 507. The
paddle wheel 501 rotates about axis 509. In this embodiment, the
curved section 507 comprises a contour or curve. The apex of the
contour or curve may be at any point along the length of the paddle
503. The contour or curve of the curved section 507 may be
symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the apex. In the
embodiment shown, the contour or curve is asymmetrical.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present
invention. A paddle wheel 601 comprises a plurality of paddles 603.
Each of the paddles 603 is, in this embodiment, identical to each
of the other 603. Each of the paddles 603 comprises a curved
section 605. The paddle wheel 601 rotates about axis 607. In this
embodiment, the curved section 605 comprises a contour or curve. In
this embodiment, the apex of the contour or curve lies halfway
along the length of the paddles 603 and the contour or curve of the
curved section 605 is symmetrical with respect to the apex.
[0039] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an aspect of the present
invention. A paddle wheel 701 comprises a plurality of paddles 703.
In this embodiment, all but one of the paddles 703 are identical.
The paddle wheel 705 rotates about axis 709. One paddle of the
plurality of paddles 703 is a weighted paddle 713 and features a
weight 711. Weight 711 may be integrated or embedded in the
material of the weighted paddle 713 or may be mounted upon the
surface of the weighted paddle 713. The weight 711 acts upon the
paddle wheel 705. Each of the plurality of paddles 703 comprises a
brush seal 707. The brush seal 707 may comprise a plurality of
bristles or may comprise a single ridge. The brush seal 707 may be
comprised of a material such as, for example, felt, rubber, or
plastic. Each of the plurality of paddles 703 has an outer edge
from which extends a brush seal 707. The brush seal 707 may extend
strait from the paddle or may extend from the paddle at an angle,
thereby causing the paddle wheel 705 to resist rotation in one
direction while continuing to allow rotation in the opposite
direction. The brush seal 707 helps form a seal between the hood
and the paddle, which facilitates the rotation of the paddle wheel
705. The brush seal 707 may also help remove debris from the hood
by sweeping the debris out of the hood as the paddle wheel 705
rotates.
[0040] The paddle wheel of the various embodiments disclosed herein
may have one or more of several variations. For example, the paddle
wheel may be configured to rotate about its axle in both directions
or its rotation may be fixed such that the paddle wheel cannot
rotate in one direction, such as with a ratchet. The paddle wheel
may have one or more paddles, but more common embodiments have
three or more paddles. The paddles may be strait, curved, or
angled. The edge at which the paddle meets the paddle wheel may run
parallel to the axle, or the paddle may spiral around the paddle
wheel, in which case the edge spirals around the axis of the axle.
A paddle may run the full length of the paddle wheel, or it may run
only part of the length of the paddle wheel.
[0041] The paddle wheel may deter the ingress of wildlife by
providing spaces between paddles too small for the wildlife to
traverse. Generally, the more paddles an embodiment employs, the
smaller these spaces are. Thus, to a limited extent, the size of
the wildlife being blocked is inversely proportional to the number
of paddles that are used. Very small animals, such as, for example,
insects, may not be deterred by the paddle wheel regardless of the
number of paddles used. The paddle wheel may deter the ingress of
weather effects such as rain. As will be understood, the paddle
wheel may be of various designs.
[0042] The paddle wheel may allow the egress of exhaust air, lint,
and other debris by rotating. The force of the exhaust air, lint,
and other debris exiting the vent duct acts upon the paddles of the
paddle wheels, thereby causing the paddle wheel to rotate about its
axle. As the paddle wheel rotates, it also provides visual feedback
of the rate and volume of air flowing from the vent duct by use of
variations in color, visual texture, and movement.
[0043] Other systems, methods, and/or products according to the
above embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art upon review of the above description, the
following drawings, and any further description. It is intended
that all such additional systems, methods, and/or products be
included within this description, be within the scope of the
present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *