U.S. patent number 3,886,851 [Application Number 05/339,774] was granted by the patent office on 1975-06-03 for air curtain device.
Invention is credited to Erling Berner.
United States Patent |
3,886,851 |
Berner |
June 3, 1975 |
Air curtain device
Abstract
Air curtain device and process in which laterally spaced-apart
parallel sliding sections of a closure formed of separable or
pivotally connected vertically mounted panels form a flexible air
duct between inner and outer sections connected to a nozzle
supported at a bottom outlet between the sections to provide an air
screen of homogeneity and resistance to lateral air currents in
various open, partially open and closed door positions, by air
passed into the top between the sections, from a plenum passing air
received from a fixed blower mounted above or near the top of the
door within a space enclosed by the walls of the opening.
Inventors: |
Berner; Erling (Allison Park,
PA) |
Family
ID: |
26934689 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/339,774 |
Filed: |
March 14, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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241925 |
Apr 7, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/192; 160/202;
432/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
3/921 (20130101); F24F 9/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E06B
3/00 (20060101); E06B 3/92 (20060101); F24F
9/00 (20060101); F24f 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;98/36 ;432/64 ;62/256
;160/41,202 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Perlin; Meyer
Assistant Examiner: Tapolcai, Jr.; W. E.
Parent Case Text
This invention is a continuation-in-part of my copending
application, Ser. No. 241,925, filed Apr. 7, 1972 now abandoned,
and relates to an air curtain device including a blower mounted
within or adjacent to a wall opening, and having a movable closure,
such as a sliding or movable double door having spaced-apart inner
and outer sections, the center space portion of said door forming a
duct for air passage communicating at one end through an
intermediate plenum with said blower and emitting the air through a
nozzle in an air screen from the other end of said door. More
particularly, the invention is directed to a sliding door including
several improved features such as insulation and end sealing means
and to a process of establishing and using an air curtain
cooperatively with said door for optimum protection of an open or
partially open door position and to improved use of such air
curtain device to provide lateral flow, and to several structural
and process improvements disclosed in my parent application.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination, an air screen device mountable near a wall
opening comprising closure elements movable from open through
intermediate to closed positions across said wall opening, means
for moving said closure elements between open and closed positions
in said wall opening, said closure elements comprising spaced-apart
inner and outer sections enclosing a central duct-like passageway
for air comprising a plenum chamber variably sized with the
position of said closure elements, said plenum chamber having a
fixed end disposed near an edge of said wall opening, a blower
having an air outlet, said plenum communicating at its fixed end
with the outlet of said blower for receiving an air screen supply
of air therefrom for passage through said duct-like passageway
between sections and an outlet nozzle member in an opposite movable
end of said plenum to intercept and distribute air passing between
said sections as an air screen across said wall opening when the
closure is in open to intermediate positions in said wall opening,
each spaced-apart section of said closure comprising an assembly of
a series of adjacent panels separably joined together at their
edges and guide means at the opposite ends of each section
supported on said wall opening, securing both sections for sliding
movement across said wall opening, whereby each section of said
closure may slide in said guide means in parallel spaced-apart
movement across said opening.
2. The combined air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein
said panels upon moving to open door position slide progressively
in a series, one offset to be within the next, whereby each section
in open door position forms a substantially parallel series of
nested panels, with said sections still maintaining spaced-apart
positions to leave the centrally disposed air passage for providing
free air flow from said plenum outward through said nozzle as an
air screen.
3. The combined air screen device as defined in claim 2 wherein the
opposite lowermost pair of panels are vertically parallel to each
other and define said outlet air screen nozzle therebetween.
4. The combined air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein the
intermediate panels have a U-bent flange at each upper and lower
horizontal edge engaging, securing and reenforcing a similarly
U-bent flange of the next adjacent upper and lower panels of the
series, gripping said adjacent panels for reenforcement and sealing
of the joint therebetween against air passage therethrough in
closed door position while allowing sliding movement of one panel
vertically against the next in opening and closing positions of the
panels of said closure.
5. The combined air screen device as defined in claim 2 wherein the
intermediate panels have a U-bent flange both at each upper and
lower horizontal edge engaging, securing and reenforcing similarly
U-bent flanges of the next adjacent upper and lower panels of the
series, and the uppermost panels have said flanges at their lower
edges and the lowermost panels have said flanges at their upper
edges, said flanges gripping said adjacent panels for reenforcement
and sealing of the joint therebetween against air passage
therethrough in closed door position while allowing sliding
movement of one panel vertically against the next in opening and
closing positions of the panels of said closure.
6. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means
mounted at opposite ends of each section are channel members having
side flanges with supporting elements therein, supporting each
panel in open door position, said flanges positioned to confine and
guide the vertical movement of said spaced-apart sections between
their flanges and seal said sections against substantial outward
passage of air through the section ends.
7. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means
mounted at opposite ends of each section are channel members
tapered from top to bottom to confine and guide the vertical
movement of said spaced-apart sections between their flanges and
seal said sections against substantial outward passage of air
through the section ends.
8. Air screen device as defined in claim 7 wherein said tapering
flanges of said channel means have a series of stop means extending
inwardly therefrom, each to engage and support the bottom flanged
edge of a panel disposed at the height of said stop means in closed
position of said closure.
9. Air screen device as defined in claim 6 wherein said supporting
elements are a step-like frame, each step positioned inward of said
flange to support the lower end of a panel.
10. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein strap means are
mounted horizontally across panel tops at the same height level,
said strap means being fastened to each opposite panel firmly
securing said panels together as a pair, each pair of panels being
disposed inwardly of the next vertical pair of panels, whereby on
raising and lowering of said closure each strapped-together pair of
panels nests slidingly within the upper adjacent strapped-together
pair of panels and all of said panels of both sections and their
straps nest together telescopically in open door position near the
top of said wall closure, with the open duct-like passageway
between the telescopically nested sections maintained by said strap
means for passage of air from said plenum downward through said
nozzle as an air screen.
11. The combined air screen device as defined in claim 10 wherein
each of said panels have a U-bent flange both at each upper and
lower horizontal edge engaging, securing and reenforcing similarly
U-bent flange of the next adjacent upper and lower panels of the
series, gripping said adjacent panels for reenforcement and sealing
of the joint therebetween against air passage therethrough in
closed door position while allowing sliding movement of one panel
vertically against the next in opening position of the panels of
said closure.
12. Air curtain device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for
raising and lowering said air curtain comprises at least one rope
having the lower end fastened to the lower end of said sections and
the other end entrained about a drum mounted above said panel
members and means for rotating said drums for raising and lowering
said nozzle and vertical paneled sections fastened thereto.
13. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein strap means are
mounted horizontally between panels at the same height level of
both sections, said strap means being fastened to each opposite
panel, firmly securing said panels together as a pair, whereby on
raising and lowering of said door each strapped-together pair of
panels nests slidingly within the upper adjacent strapped-together
pair of panels and all of said panels of both sections and their
straps nest together telescopically in open door position at the
top of said wall closure, with the open duct-like passageway
between the telescopically nested sections being maintained by said
strap means for passage of air from said plenum downward through
said nozzle as an air screen, said panels having U-bent flanges at
each upper and lower horizontal edge engaging, securing and
reenforcing a similarly U-bent flange of the next adjacent upper
and lower panels of the series, gripping said adjacent panels for
reenforcement and sealing of the joint therebetween against air
passage therethrough while allowing sliding movement of a
strapped-together pair of panels vertically against the next
adjacent in closing and opening position of said closure, said
means for raising and lowering said panels comprising a pair of
ropes each fastened near each lower end to the nozzle and at their
opposite ends each entrained around a drum mounted in said plenum,
and means for rotating said drums to raise and lower the said
closure.
14. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper
portion of said plenum is fixedly mounted within said wall opening
to the top of said closure to pass air therein into the central
space between said closure sections, and said air blower is fixedly
mounted beside said wall opening to pass its outlet air flow into
said plenum.
15. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper end
of said extendable plenum is fixedly mounted upon said wall beside
said wall opening and an air blower is mounted near one end of the
upper plenum to pass air therein axially of the upper plenum.
16. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein the blower is
mounted near the top of said wall opening near the fixed end of
said plenum, said fixed plenum being mounted within said wall
opening and the blower passes air laterally into said fixed plenum
end.
17. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein the blower is a
tangential blower mounted near the top of said wall opening within
the space enclosed by said wall to draw air therefrom and pass the
same through said closure as an air screen whereby said air screen
has a temperature corresponding to the inside of said enclosed
space.
18. Air screen device as defined in claim 17 wherein the tangential
blower is mounted beside said fixed plenum end and passes air
laterally into said plenum end.
19. Air screen device as defined in claim 17 wherein the tangential
blower is mounted above said fixed plenum end and passes the air
downward therein.
20. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of
the panels of the inner closure section has openings allowing
lateral passage of air passing between sections to the wall
enclosed space in closed closure position.
21. Air screen device as defined in claim 20 wherein the lowermost
panel of the inner closure section has openings allowing air
passing between sections to pass laterally from the lower end of
said closure into the space enclosed by said wall.
22. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of
said panels of the inner closure sections has louvre openings
movable between closed and intermediate to full open positions to
divert air from said central air passageway laterally into the
space enclosed by said wall.
23. Air screen device as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle at
the bottom of the movable closure includes means to deflect the
downwardly passing air screen laterally from a vertical to an
oblique plane.
24. Air screen device as defined in claim 23 wherein said means for
diverting the air screen position comprises a deflector vane
mounted at a controlled angle below said nozzle.
25. Air screen device as defined in claim 23 wherein said means for
diverting said air screen comprises an outlet mountable about said
nozzle for rotating said nozzle angularly with respect to the
central plane of the said movable closure.
26. Air screen device as defined in claim 14 wherein said plenum
has louvre openings on the inner closure side, said louvre openings
being movable from closed to intermediate and to full open
positions to divert air laterally into the space enclosed by said
wall.
27. Air screen device as defined in claim 4 wherein the upper edge
of each panel below the uppermost is U-bent to form a flange
carrying rollers in its outer leg, said rollers being positioned to
bear outwardly against the inner surface of the panel next
vertically adjacent in said section.
28. Air screen device as defined in claim 4 wherein the lower edge
of each panel above the lowermost is U-bent to form a flange
carrying rollers in its outer leg, said rollers being positioned to
bear inward against the outer surface of the panel next vertically
adjacent in said section.
29. Air screen device as defined in claim 4 wherein the U-bent
flanges carry in their troughs a resilient sealing material to
dampen sound and fill the joint against air passage
therethrough.
30. In an air curtain and wall opening closure device, a series of
telescopically combined plenum chambers having opposite sides
communicating with each other for passage of air from one to the
next through the series, a blower having its outlet connected to
pass impelled air to the first member of said series, the last
member of the series having one side open to emit the air flowing
through the series of plenums as an air curtain, said plenum
chambers being separably joined one to the next to form a closure
for a wall opening and means for emplacing and removing each of
said plenums each plenum expanding and contracting as a series of
interconnected units telescopically one within the next to form
their positions as a closure element across said wall opening.
31. The air screen device as defined in claim 30 wherein the said
series of plenum chambers are mounted across said wall opening as a
closure and include means for raising and lowering each chamber of
the series serially to emplace and remove said chambers as a
closure as they are serially raised and lowered in said wall
opening to a selected adjustable height ranging from complete
closure of said wall opening through raised intermediate closure
height to full raised open position near the top of said wall
opening whereby said air screen formed by air emitted downward from
the lowermost plenum chamber is provided in said wall opening at
each intermediate height adjusted position of said plenum
chambers.
32. The air screen device as defined in claim 31 wherein said
plenum chambers are telescopically nestable one within the next
from the lowermost to the uppermost while maintaining an open
passageway from end to end for flow of air from said upper blower
air supply source to the opposite air emission end as an air screen
across said opening when the closure is at an intermediate closure
to full open position across said wall opening.
33. The air curtain device as defined in claim 30 wherein the
plenum is formed of parallel walls at opposite sides constructed of
slidable panels, one against the next adjacent, whereby to expand
and contract the total cross sectional area of said plenum.
34. A closure for a wall opening comprising a series of U-shaped
sections, each section comprising an upper horizontal wall having
downturned legs with seals at each side extending from side to side
of said wall opening, said sections nesting telescopically and
sealing one within the other from the bottom to the top in opening
movement and closed position of said closure, a plenum having a
fixed portion mounted at the top of said closure, means in said
fixed plenum portion for raising and lowering the lower and
intermediate sections to nest the same telescopically within the
uppermost, the lowermost section terminating in an air screen
nozzle, a blower mounted near said wall opening to supply air to
said fixed plenum portion, each of said U-shaped sections having at
least one annular cut-away portion in which is fitted tubular ducts
extending vertically through each section from said horizontal wall
and downward to intercept and slidingly fit within an aligned next
lower tubular section telescopically, the uppermost of said tubular
sections communicating with said plenum to pass air downward
therefrom through said telescopically interfitting tubular sections
to the lowermost section, and nozzle means communicating with the
lowermost section for distributing the air passing downward from
the closure as an air screen nozzle to provide an air screen in
said wall opening below said closure in various open positions of
said closure.
35. An air screen device for a wall opening comprising a sationary
blower fixedly mountable on the wall near said wall opening, a
moveable closure extending from side to side thereof variably
expanding across said wall opening from open through intermediate
to full closure positions, said closure comprising elements
telescopically interfitted one within the other contracting and
expanding to cover said wall opening mounted for raising and
lowering in said wall opening, an air nozzle mounted across the
bottom of said closure for providing a protective air screen in
said wall opening in various open raised positions of said closure,
and telescopically extendable duct means carried within the
telescopically expandable elements of said closure extending the
length thereof interconnecting said moveable nozzle with the outlet
of said stationary blower to pass air from said blower to said
nozzle.
36. Method of protecting a wall opening against lateral wind
pressures comprising mounting a plenum telescopically variable in
size as a closure completely across said wall opening and emitting
an air screen through an outlet edge of said plenum as a nozzle
directing said air screen protectively across said opening as a
homogeneous air screen, and selectively reducing or increasing the
size of said plenum in a range from substantially complete
obstruction to unobstruction of said wall opening, while
simultaneously and correspondingly decreasing and increasing the
size of said air screen across said opening, whereby to selectively
protect said wall opening at any selected closure position from
full open through partially open to closed position of the closure,
all or a portion of the protection supplied across said opening
being afforded by said air screen and the remaining portion of the
protection being afforded by varying the size of said plenum to
selected closure position.
Description
The inner and outer sections of the door hereof, in a primary
aspect of this invention, are an assembly of numerous panels
separably or pivotally joined at their edges to be relatively
movable, one panel with respect to the next contiguous panel. The
assembled panels of both inner and outer sections may be moved,
usually vertically, and slide one upon the next between guides at
each end, sealing both inner and outer sections to the wall opening
at opposite ends of the panels. The panels thus form a double door,
either or both sections of which may be raised and lowered from an
upper, preferably nested, position of the panels in open or
partially open door position to an extended edge to edge sealed
position of the panels when the door is closed. The spaced-apart
inner and outer sections of the double door maintain between them a
continuously sealed air passage for flow of air from a variably
sized plenum communicating with a blower mounted as desired near
the upper wall opening, so that the air passes downward through the
double door walls to the opposite lower edge of said door where the
air is emitted, usually through a nozzle, forming an air screen
flowing from the lower end of the partially or fully opened
door.
The door is formed of two vertical tiers of separate sliding panels
forming both inner and outer sections, the panels being raised and
lowered, preferably vertically. The panels at each panel height
level are each progressively offset inwardly in the direction of
the door closing so that each panel slides upwardly beside the next
vertical panel and both inner and outer panels nest in an upper
plenum section telescopically as the door is opened.
The inner and outer panels at the same section height may be
fastened together, preferably by straps, so that both move
vertically in opening and closing of the door as a pair; and a
lower pair of panels will nest within the next vertical pair of
panels telescopically as the door is opened.
Each panel has bent over flanges sealing an upper panel to a lower
one for firm gripping and sealing engagement of a lower panel with
an upper, both for sealing the panels against substantial escape of
air laterally in sealed position as well as reenforcement of the
pair of upper and lower panels, one by the other, against vibration
or movement under lateral pressure of wind or weather
conditions.
The bottom, the lowermost pair of panels, form or are fitted with a
nozzle and which forms an outlet which may be vertically or
pivotally mounted between the inner and outer sections of the door
to direct an air curtain either vertically downward or at a
selected angular position therefrom. The upper part of the door
includes means for raising and lowering both inner and outer
sections; and preferably includes means for raising them in aligned
telescopic or nesting position of the panels while allowing a
central opening between the inner and outer sections of the door
for continuous passage of air from the blower to the nozzle without
obstruction or lateral leakage when the panels are vertically
sealed in any fully or partially opened position of the door.
Other aspects of the invention includes the mounting of insulation
against each panel. Thus each panel board may include an insulated
sheet, providing both heat as well as sound insulation. For
instance, such insulation will prevent moisture condensation by
heat exchange with a colder outer wall as well as sound deadening,
thus greatly improving the practical use of the telescopically
constructed door.
In other aspects the air is provided by a tangential fan which
supplies an even flow of air through the center of the door
sections.
In a further aspect the panels are each formed of the same
dimension, so that a door may be constructed of a standard strip,
cutting the same into panels of the desired length to provide the
door, thus allowing ready replacement of a damaged panel with a new
panel cut from the stock strip to the desired dimension. It is
useful in folding the edges, to form the upper edge of the panel of
a slightly larger size and the corresponding oppositely bent edge
of the lower edge of the panel thus to more securely engage the
panels into a series for forming the door.
Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that as the door
is opened an open pair of panels appearing progressively in a
series from top to bottom as the door is progressively closed form
a plenum which becomes continuously elongated as the door
approaches the closed position. The pressure of the air blowing
into the plenum is substantially constant despite the variation in
length of the plenum as the door opens telescopically whereby, as
the door is opened or closed, a constant pressure is emitted from a
lower nozzle imparting a constant quality and integrity to the air
screen formed by such nozzle. Thus, this door will operate to
produce an air screen of constant air flow and pressure in any
position of the door fully opened or partially open to any select
degree. Moreover, louvre type openings may be provided at the
bottom or at various levels to supply a lateral flow from the
interior of the door into a space enclosed by said door.
Moreover, the plenum is preferably designed to have a cross section
at least three times that of the nozzle. This gives the air curtain
a homogeneity and strength resistance to turbulence or disruption
from a side pressure.
The invention is further described with reference to the drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 shows an elevational section of a portion of the edge
fastened panels of the door in closed position;
FIG. 2 is an end view in section showing the end sealing of the
closure in closed position;
FIG. 3 is a detail of a similar end view in section of the closure
in closed position, showing an alternate end sealing means;
FIG. 4 is an end view of the closure in open panel nested position
in section to illustrate nesting and the details of the raising and
lowering means;
FIG. 5 is a section through the plenum chamber taken on the line 5
-- 5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a similar sectional end view of the closure in partially
open position and using a side blower;
FIG. 7 is another detailed end view of the closure in open door
position and in section using a top mounted tangential fan;
FIG. 8 is a section taken in plan along the lines 8 -- 8 of FIG. 2
showing corresponding panels of inner and outer sections of the
closure fastened together with straps;
FIG. 9 is a detail showing edge sealing of one panel of the closure
to both upper and lower panels;
FIG. 10 is an edge seal detail in which the lower end of a panel
carries a roller to bear against the outer surface of a lower
panel;
FIG. 11 is a modified panel edge seal in which an upper edge of a
panel carries a roller to bear against the inner surface of an
upper panel;
FIG. 12 is another form of modified panel edge seal showing the
resilient sealing material mounted within cooperating edge
flanges;
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through the
tangential fan;
FIG. 14 is a section through the tangential fan modified for side
entry of air;
FIG. 15 is an end view showing a modification of a panel closure of
U-shaped telescopically interfitted sections in which the
downturned legs form the panels having internal telescoping annular
ducts; and
FIG. 16 is an end view of a closure similar to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 to
show inclusion of insulation against the panels.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a vertical tier of panels 10, 12, 14 and
16 are arranged with their ends in opposite vertically disposed end
guide and sealing members 18 in both sides of a wall opening 20 to
slide vertically in both opening and closed direction to form an
outer section A of a closure.
As shown in FIG. 2, there is an assembly of corresponding series of
panels 11, 13, 15 and 17 which form the inner side section B of the
closure. There may be a variable number, more or less, panels than
shown for present purposes of illustration to form the closure,
depending upon its size as well as the size of each panel.
The panels may be wider or narrower at the top or bottom of the
closure to provide economy in the construction or extra strength to
the closure in using them wide or narrow at these points as
desired. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the panels are preferably
each of the same dimensional size so that they may be cut from
standard larger sized strips for variously sized doors. In that
manner each of the U-bent strips 11-17 are interchangeable and are
easily replaced if one or more were damaged or destroyed.
Both sections A and B are spaced apart from each other and may be
raised and lowered separately or together in spaced-apart
relationship, but preferably are handled together as a single
closure, as will appear. Beside and near the top of the opening 20,
as shown in FIG. 6, is fixedly mounted a blower 21, preferably a
tangential blower such as shown in my prior U.S. Pat. No.
3,362,469. As shown in several figures, a plenum chamber 19 is
mounted in the top portion of the wall opening into which the
outlet air flow 23 from the blower 21 is discharged. The top of the
plenum 19 has fixed sides 24 and 25 whose lower ends 26 and 27 are
fastened at opposite upper sides 28 and 29 in any position of the
upper, outer and inner closure sections A and B to discharge its
air flow as received from the air blower into a space C between the
sections.
The several panels in the vertical series comprising each closure
section from the bottom to the top, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6, are disposed progressively outward one to the next in the
opening direction and may slide, one panel against the next, in
raising and lowering, so that the uppermost panels 28 and 29 encase
or house each of the lower panels of each section telescopically.
Moreover, as the nested sections expand in closing of the door, the
plenum 19 continuously expands in the closing direction and is
thereby of varied size as the door opening varies from closed
through partially open to completely open positions of the
door.
As shown in FIG. 9, the top and bottom edges of each intermediate
panel are bent to extend laterally, herein termed a U-bend,
downward for reenforcement of the top edge and upward for the
bottom edges of the panels. The lowermost panels 10 and 11 have
U-bent flanges at their top edges only and the uppermost sides 24
and 25 of the plenum 19 have such U-bent flanges only at their
lower edges 26 and 27. The upper edges of the upper sliding panels
28 and 29 are flanged to fasten to the bottom edges 26 and 27 of
the uppermost panels 24 and 25 of plenum 19.
For instance, as shown in detail in FIGS. 9 and 12, a panel 14 is
bent horizontally at the top 30 with a downturned flange leg 31 to
form an inverted U-bent shaped channel in which may be received an
upturned U-bent mating bottom channel of the next higher panel
member 16, having an inwardly bent flange 32 and an upwardly bent
leg at 33. As shown, the inwardly and upwardly turned lower edge 32
of the U-bent flange of the upper panel 16 mates with but is
preferably smaller than the upper edge 30 of downturned channel 30
and 31 but, nevertheless, the smaller channel 32 fits into the
U-bent flange 30 of the lower panel 14. These flanges are shown as
being U-bent, but may be of different shapes as shown in FIGS. 10
and 11. However, they are intended to interfit sufficiently close
as upper and lower separable joints to form a reenforcing channel
for each panel. The flanged joints thus impart strength and
rigidity to the panels, each receiving and gripping the next
adjacent panel in a seal which is relatively gas tight to avoid
lateral loss of air through the seal. The combined flanges forming
the joint provide reenforcement for one panel section against the
next, whereby the door panels do not rattle or shake or vibrate in
the wind by lateral pressures of variable weather conditions.
Again, these U-bends allow easy vertical removal and realignment of
these flange bends by simple vertical movement of the panels. In
the sense that the U-bend channels may be thus modified in shape,
the term "U-bent" is used herein in a generic sense.
While the wall opening hereof is closed such as by a sliding door,
usually for a garage, warehouse or factory, such opening being
protected by the air screen when open, thus preventing heat
exchange between the inner and outer spaces, the structures herein
may be used for protecting any wall opening such as a window and
the term `closure` is intended to be used in its generic sense to
refer to either.
As shown in FIG. 12, a flexible gasket 34 may be emplaced in the
joint to impart a further air sealing effect. The upturned flange
edge 33 of the panel 16 bears against the inner face of panel 14 in
upward sliding movement. Correspondingly, the downturned flange 31
of the lower panel 14 can bear against the inner side of panel 16
as a guide so that the panel 14 in vertical movement will slide
against the panel 16 with the flanged edges bearing against the
surfaces for guiding movements as the door opens and closes.
Correspondingly, a lower mating joint 35 and still lower joint 36
will each grip and separate to slide a lower panel against the
upper one to nest telescopically as the door closes and opens, as
shown in FIGS. 2 through 6. A corresponding set of flanges 37 and
38 between adjacent edges of panels in the inner door section B
operate similar to those of section A to grip or guide the inner
series of panels for simultaneous closure of the inner door.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, a winding drum or pulley 40 is
rotatably mounted near each end of the door on a shaft 39 and is
driven by a motor 41. Wire cables 42 are entrained about drums 40.
The opposite ends of cables 42 pass downward through the central
duct section C of the door and are fastened to each of the brackets
43 between the lowermost panels. There are usually two cables 42
near opposite ends of the door, whereby upon rotation of the
winding drums 40 the series of panels, starting with the lowermost
10 and 11 of both sections are raised vertically. There may be
disposed inwardly projecting stop members on each section 84 (FIG.
7) after each telescopically rises to fit adjacent to or within the
next vertical section, the stop member engaging the next vertical
section to raise it from its telescoped position into the
succeeding vertically disposed section until all are nested in the
open or partially open door position as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and
7.
It is preferred herein as shown to fasten strap members 46 across
the tops of pairs of panel members disposed at the same vertical
height to fasten them together. For instance, the lowermost strap
members 46a is welded or bolted at 50 through a flange top 36 at
each side of the strap as it extends across the tops of panel
members 10 and 11, fastening them together as a pair. Similarly, an
upper strap 46b fastens a second vertical pair of panels 12 and 13
together and a next higher strap member 46c fastens the pair 14 and
15 panels together and a highest strap member 46 fastens the
uppermost panels together. In this manner the entire series of
panels of the outer and inner door sections A and B, each pair of
the same corresponding height, are strapped together to rise
together as a unit as the ropes or cables 42 are drawn upwardly
upon the winding drums 40, lifting and lowering the lowermost
sections 10 and 11 fastened at their bottoms to both sides thereof
and the next succeeding section in the series as it is raised.
The lowermost section consisting of strapped-together panels 10 and
11 and usually also a nozzle 44, telescopically nests within the
next higher strapped-together pair of panels 12 and 13. The panels
10 and 11 and their upper straps 46a bear against the corresponding
straps 46b with the next upper section consisting of the panels 12
and 13, so that if the cable 42 is further lifted, both sets of
panels, telescopically nested, move upward into the next higher
pair of panels to nest within panels 14 and 15 and thence within 16
and 17, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, including as well many other
panels as may comprise the closure, strapped together.
The ends of the closure are sealed within a channel member 18 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, one at each end of the closure. The channel
18 has flanges 54, each tapering at least at one side from top to
bottom; whereby, in the closed position, the taper may correspond
to the exact inner to outer dimensions of the telescopically
combined sections of the closure so that the flanges 54 bear
against the lowermost edges of each pair of panels to frictionally
support the total series of panels wedged thereagainst by their
weights at each higher level. However, it is preferred in a
modification to bend a portion of the flange as at 56 inward at the
level of the bottom of each panel to form a ledge or support for a
panel in closed-door position. With this structure the ledge 56 and
inturned portion of the flange 54 rise under and support a panel
member from each side.
In another modification as shown in FIG. 3, each channel 18 may
have an inner support 57 supported by the flange 54 and formed as a
series of steps 58 upon which each panel may rest for support in
open door position.
It will be useful to line or coat the faces or webs 18 of each
channel member with a sealing material such as plastic or sponge
rubber or preferably polyfluoroethylene to prevent loss of air
through the ends of the door and to provide sealing thereof and
reduced friction upon the ends of the closure for movement while
supplying efficient end sealing.
The lowermost panels 10 and 11 as shown in FIG. 4 are parallel to
each other and are open at the lower end to emit the air as a sheet
or curtain having parallel sides. As shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the
lower panels 10 and 11 are fastened to opposite sides of a nozzle
member 44 which comprises a grill formed of horizontal cross
louvres 58 whereby the louvres may be adjusted laterally for
modifying the downward direction of the air screen from side to
side. Moreover, for further modifying the direction of flow in the
doorway directions i.e. to the sides A or B, as shown in FIGS. 6
and 12, an adjustably mounted deflecting shield or arm 60 may be
mounted at one side of the nozzle 44 to deflect the air current
inward of the closure in the direction B, as desired. Again, the
arm 60 may be mounted in the opposite direction on the opposite
side of the nozzle depending from the panel 11 side whereby to
deflect the air current outward of the closure in the direction
A.
In a still further modification, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, the
lower part of the nozzle may terminate in a slotted shield in the
form of a ball socket joint 62 allowing deflection through a
rotatable but downwardly directed slot 64 through which passes the
entire nozzle stream inward as shown by arrows 66 or outward as
shown by arrows 69, rotatably.
The blower or tangential fan 21 fastened rigidly to the inner wall
69 near the wall opening 20 draws air from inside of the space 13
confined by the wall into its upper plenum 19. The blower is
preferably of the tangential type as described in my patent, and
produces an even air flow constant temperature across the entire
plenum width in a homogeneous, non-turbulent flow downward through
its outlet nozzle 23 and thence into the upper plenum 19 which
evenly distributes the air across the entire upper plenum opening
19. The plenum directs the air to pass downward between the two
sections A and B separated by the closure, and from which the air
is emitted as a curtain through the lower outlet nozzle 44.
The closure is partially opened or raised together with the nozzle
to full open to any selected intermediate position as shown in
FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7 and 15 by rotation of the drums 40 driven by a
motor 41 disposed in the upper plenum 19. Thus the blower 21 passes
a blast of air through its outlet 23 and down through the central
passageway C of variable length, depending upon the open or
partially open positions of the closure; and then downward through
the outlet nozzle 44 forming an air curtain over the open portion
of the door, the length of the curtain to fill the wall opening
depending upon the position of the closure. In that manner a source
of air at a fixed position above the door may be taken from within
the building and passed downward through the door to produce an air
curtain of constant air temperature and quality. The closure, per
se, itself becomes easily opened by collapsing vertically, such as
by telescoping into the uppermost panel level of the closure,
without interferring or obstructing the central air flow channel
through which the air is passed.
As shown in FIG. 6, the blower 21, preferably a tangential blower,
is mounted beside the upper plenum chamber 19 so that a stream of
air 23 enters under the steady pressure of the blower or fan 21.
While that fan could be a conventional centrifugal blower, the use
of the tangential fan has important advantages, primarily in that
it provides a steady homogeneous stream of air 23 passing into the
plenum 19 with a minimum of turbulence. The fan of FIG. 6 is shown
as mounted beside the upper plenum 19 to flow air therein
laterally. This allows the entire air curtain device to be mounted
within the wall opening 20. Moreover, with that kind of fan
mounting adjacent to one end of the closure, it could be made to
operate horizontally with the several plenums 19 moved laterally by
a servo means (not shown); and the air curtain then would be blown
laterally or horizontally across the opening 20.
In a modification shown in FIGS. 7 and 14, the blower can be
mounted on top of the closure, and the entire closure is displaced
inward or outward of the opening 20; that is, with the outer or
inner sections A or B disposed adjacent to the wall sides 69 or 71,
thus affording both the convenience of mounting of the blower on
top of the plenum 19 as well as to allow mounting of a door
parallel to the inner or outer walls 71 or 69 of the building.
It is possible, of course, to mount a fan or blower beside one
axial end of the plenum chamber 19 to pass the air into the plenum
axially thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. For this purpose a fan 74
mounted in an end 73 of the top plenum 19 is driven by a motor 75
to pass air axially therein. It is preferred either to mount the
fan as shown in FIG. 7 above the plenum or when the closure is
inside or outside of the opening 20, inward or outward thereof at a
point near the top to pass the air stream 23 laterally into the
plenum 19 as shown in FIG. 6.
It will be noted as shown in FIG. 6 that as the door closes from
open position, the plenum 19 operates in the closing direction of
the door and continues to increase in length as the nested panels
descend and additional panels become a sectional wall portion of
the partially closed door. Thus, when the closure is partially
open, as shown in FIG. 6, the plenum as a series of chambers is
greatly increased in length, in contrast to where the several
plenum chambers comprising the panels are fully nested within the
upper chamber, as shown in FIG. 7. The air within the plenum is at
the constant pressure supplied by the fan 21 whereby the air
emitted through the nozzle 44 or through the low straight parallel
panels 10 and 11 is emitted at a constant angular or downward
pressure. Thus, an air screen of relatively constant pressure in
smooth laminar flow is produced being emitted from the lower nozzle
at the same pressure existing within the plenum 19, despite the
variation in the height of the door between open and closed
position; that is, despite variation in the height or size of the
expandable plenum per se.
Experience has proved that if the relationship between the
cross-section of the plenum A [which may vary as the door opens, as
stated,] and the total outlet area of the nozzle .SIGMA.a can be
kept greater than or equal to the ratio of 3 : 1, or [A/ .SIGMA.a
.gtoreq. 3/1], then the variation in air velocity at the outlet
nozzle can be kept to less than 10 percent. These can be computed
by the formula for the relationship between nozzle velocity Uo and
wind velocity W; X = air screen distance from nozzle in feet, as
follows:
2bo = nozzle width in feet
Uo = .sqroot. X/2bo .times. 1.68 .times. W
That relationship can be shown in the following example:
Given a nozzle velocity of 6,000 fpm and a nozzle width of 3 inches
and a closure height of 14 feet, an air screen can stop a lateral
wind velocity according to the equation:
W = 6,000 .sqroot. 0.25 .times. 1.68/14 = 6,000 .times. 0.5
.sqroot. 12/100 = 300 .sqroot. 12 = 600 .sqroot. 3 = 1,040 fpm = 12
mph
OPENING HEIGHT NOZZLE MAXIMUM WIND WHICH CAN BE OVER FLOOR VELOCITY
STOPPED IN FEET FPM (1 MPH = 87.5 FPM)
______________________________________ feet FPM MPH 14 6000 1040
11.9 13 6000 1080 12.4 12 6000 1120 12.8 11 6000 1175 13.4 10 6000
1230 14.3 9 6000 1300 14.9 8 60000 1380 15.8 7 6000 1475 16.9
______________________________________
Thus, as this table shows, by closing the telescopic door from a
height of 14 feet to an intermediate height of 7 feet, the lateral
draft of wind pressure is kept stopped by the air screen,
increasing from 11.9 mph to 16.9 mph or [11.9 .times. .sqroot. 14/7
= 16.9].
It will be seen that the air curtain protection or resistance
against true draft from a lateral wind increases approximately by
the square root of the distance by which the air curtain is
enlarged; or, conversely, the cross section of the plenum is
enlarged. Again, the enlargement of the plenum by placing the door
in partial open position increases the lateral wind resistance by
the square root of the velocity through the nozzle.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 9, each pair of panels slides
vertically in the end channels 18, each panel sliding relative to
each other to nest, the lower within the next higher,
telescopically in a series, as the closure is opened. The panels
12, 14 and 16 as shown in FIG. 10 may each have roller members 68
mounted on the inner flange 33 to bear against the outer surface of
the next lower panel 14 so that rolling movement of the inner
flange 33 against the surface 14 is provided with little friction,
scratching or scoring of a polished surface of the panel. For that
purpose the roller 68 may be a series of longitudinally disposed
rollers extending from several positions along the flange; or it
may be a single roller.
As shown in FIG. 11, it may be preferable to mount the roller on
the upper flange member 31 whereby the roller 68 will bear against
the inner surface of the upper panel 16 as the panels 14 and 16
slide vertically relative to each other. In this manner, any
possible scratching or scoring of a panel surface is held to the
interior surface of the panel. Obviously rollers 68 may be supplied
to both upper and lower flanges.
As shown in FIG. 12, it may be desirable between cooperating flange
elements to mount a cushioning, sealing or insulating gasket 34
within the U-bend of the flange to engage the edge 33 of a flange
to provide a desired cushioning or sealing effect of one flange
element against the next. Similar sealing gaskets 34 can be
supplied in the same manner to the inner bend of the opposite
engaging flange 32.
In a modification shown in FIG. 15, the combined side panels may be
formed as a U-shaped section comprising a flat top portion 66
having downturned sides 78 such as shown in United States Pat. to
Sims, No. 2,057,850. Each of these U-shaped sections are sized to
telescopically interfit, the lower into the higher, so that the
group of sections form a closure of telescopically interfitting
sections. The upper surface top portions 66 of a section may have
similar mating and sealing flanges laterally extending whereby a
low edge flange 80 may extend laterally inwardly to engage and seal
with an upper flange 82 welded to extend laterally from the top 66
of each U-shaped section. The upper surfaces 66 may have an annular
portion 84 cut out and into which are fitted the tubular members
86. These tubular members are fitted to slide nestingly into each
other from one U-shaped panel section into the next, vertically,
thus to allow the interior of the section to form a series of
several ducts telescopingly interfitted to conduct the air from the
upper plenum 88 to a lower plenum 90 having a similar nozzle outlet
44. The telescopically fitting series of U-shaped sections as well
as their internal annular ducts telescopically nest in opening and
closing which continuously provide the telescopic ducts. The ducts
terminate in a lower plenum 90 beneath which is fitted a nozzle
outlet 44 to provide an air curtain downward, while the series of
slidable tubular ducts 86 conduct the air between plenums 88 and 90
in any telescoped vertically raised position of the sections. While
the tubular ducts are preferred, they may also be rectangular or
otherwise shaped.
In other modifications it is possible to constrict the outer A and
inner B sections to operate independently of each other, the cross
strap members 46 being omitted while raising each side panel by
extensions of the flanges inwardly at 84 which act as inwardly
extending stops, the lowermost panel engaging the upper one by
engaging the stop 85 extending inward of each panel as shown in
FIG. 7. For this construction an independent cable 42 will fasten
to an independent drum 40, each supported on a separate winding
shaft 39 (not shown).
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, instead of merely flanging a top
strap, according to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the flange may extend the
entire length of the panel with or without sealing elements therein
and in addition to the presence of reenforcing straps 46.
In a modified form as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, some or all of
the panels of the inner closure side B facing the wall enclosed
space may have openings such as a grill or a manually adjustable
louvre comprising adjustable slats 92 which may be set and turned
by manual movement to open or closed position, the louvres
extending from end to end in the surface of an inner section panel
member. Thus the louvres 92 may be constantly open or manually set
from closed to open positions, as desired, as in setting the slats
of venetian blinds, whereby to allow a portion of the air passing
down through the central section C of the closure to be diverted
laterally at the height of the panel section having lateral
openings. Preferably the louvres are mounted at the lowermost
panel, but they may be mounted at any selected height so that side
openings in any panel may be manually set to open or closed
positions of the louvres as desired, at a selected intermediate
height.
The louvre openings 92 may also be mounted vertically stationary in
a side 81 of the uppermost plenum chamber 19 to provide a fixed
upper position for lateral flow of air outward of the plenum, with
the louvres opened or closed, as desired. In this manner when the
door is partially open, air may flow as an air screen downward
through the nozzle 44, protecting the wall opening in a vertical
sheet comprising the air screen, and some air may be diverted to
the lateral flow from the upper plenum by way of the open louvres,
as desired.
Alternately, when the door is closed, the louvres, particularly in
the lowermost level, may be desirably opened for lateral bottom
panel air flow, since the air screen will be interrupted by the
floor or bottom of the wall opening in the closed closure position.
Nevertheless, lateral flow through the side louvres may be made
available selectively at the desired height.
In another modification, as shown in FIG. 16, the panels may be
insulated by a sheet of insulating fiber or board 96 such as foamed
plastic or matted fiber to insulate the panels, 15, 17, etc.,
against the transfer of heat through the usually heat-conductive
metal panel. Particularly, the insulation prevents condensation of
moisture carried by the central plenum air stream passing downward
through the section C of the closure from depositing moisture in
contact with the cold panel sections forming the closure wall.
While it is common to symmetrically insulate both walls A and B,
inner and outer, it may suffice in some instances to insulate only
one wall whose temperature is in greatest contrast to the
temperature of the air curtain air flowing downward through the
central duct C.
As thus described, a pair of closure walls formed of separable
panels are assembled into inner and outer sections of a wall
closure, either of which may be raised independently and variously
folded, as a folding garage or warehouse door is described.
Preferably these closure walls are operated together as an assembly
of opposite pairs of panels at the same level strapped together and
inwardly spaced in the closing direction of the door as a series of
telescopically nestable panels. While the separable closure
sections are usually and preferably horizontally mounted between
end seals such as channel irons for vertical raising and lowering,
they also may be mounted from a side of a wall opening as pairs of
vertically disposed panels of the closure in a wall opening, and
sliding in a series between upper and lower guiding end pieces (not
shown) to operate according to the same principle as the horizontal
panels to fill a wall opening by sliding to and from an open to
closed position as a closure from the side of the wall opening.
Preferably the nestable pairs of panels strapped together, are
maintained vertically parallel to each other, depending as legs
from the cross straps which confine them, the pairs of panels, into
a single closure unit comprising the cross strap as a base having
downturned legs. The contiguous panels carry U-bent flanges at
upper and lower ends, and they further carry rollers to avoid
scratching of one panel against the next in vertical sliding
movement.
The open section between the panels forms a passageway for
unobstructed flow of air from an upper entrance point, into which
air from a blower is passed, to an opposite outlet end of the
passageway between sections, which operate either by the lower two
parallel panel walls as a nozzle, or into which a nozzle may be
fitted for direction or deflection of the evolved air as an air
stream.
Thus the construction hereof may operate merely as a door for
certain periods composed of strong, preferably telescopically
nestable units which serve as a strong, readily raised and lowered
closure of substantial rigidity and rugged usefulness, each panel
section reenforcing, sealing against and within the next for
compact storage of one section with the next; but, nevertheless,
forming a variable length sealed duct between sections for
conducting air interiorally either in collapsed, telescoped or
extended position at any vertical height of the closure in a wall
opening. Such structure allows simple and permanent mounting of the
blower in a wall enclosed space upon the wall near the closure with
a constant and controlled supply of interior warm or cold air
evenly distributed to a plenum in the wall opening above the
closure. The closure allows variable distribution from a central
and readily positioned nozzle at the lower end of the closure to
provide an air screen at any desired height. A lateral flow of air
inward of the closure may be provided at any selected height by
openings in the inner section.
Accordingly, it is intended that the above description be regarded
as exemplary and not limiting except as defined in the claims
appended hereto .
* * * * *