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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a housing having a pair of sidewalls, a pair of upright end walls, and a
cover,
a pair of upper, vertically disposed elongate openings and a pair of lower
horizontally disposed elongate openings formed in said sidewalls of said
housing for the intake of air, and
a set of elongate rain baffles having bottom lips and connected to said end
walls of said housing, said baffles disposed inwardly of said upper
openings and obliquely to said sidewalls, said bottom lips of said baffles
located above said lower openings so that said baffles collect wind driven
rain entering said upper openings and deflect the rain out of said
apparatus through said lower openings so that said cupola collects air
substantially free of rain for the interior of the building.
2. The cupola of claim 1, wherein said baffles include integrally mounted
elongate upper lips, said upper lips disposed inwardly of and above said
upper openings to catch wind driven rain entering said upper openings.
3. The cupola of claim 1, wherein said sidewalls include a pair of upper
inclined panels and a pair of lower upright panels, said upper openings
being formed between said cover and said upper inclined panels, said lower
openings being formed between said upper inclined panels and said lower
upright panels.
4. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a housing having a pair of sidewalls, a pair of upright end walls, and a
cover,
a pair of upper, vertically disposed elongate openings and a pair of lower
horizontally disposed elongate openings formed in said sidewalls of said
housing for the intake of air, and
a set of outwardly and downwardly protruding flanges integrally mounted on
said sidewalls of said housing and deflecting wind driven particulates
away from said lower openings so that said cupola collects air
substantially free of particulates for the interior of the building.
5. The cupola of claim 4, wherein said sidewalls include a pair of upper
inclined panels and a pair of lower upright panels having upper edges,
said upper openings being formed between said cover and said upper
inclined panels, said lower openings being formed between said upper
inclined panels and said lower upright panels, said flanges being mounted
on said upper edges of said upright panels.
6. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a housing having a pair of sidewalls, a pair of upright end walls, and a
cover,
a pair of upper, vertically disposed elongate openings and a pair of lower
horizontally disposed elongate openings formed in said sidewalls of said
housing for the intake of air,
a set of elongate rain baffles having bottom lips and connected to said end
walls of said housing, said baffles disposed inwardly of said upper
openings and obliquely to said sidewalls, said bottom lips of said baffles
located above said lower openings so that said baffles collect wind driven
rain entering said upper openings and deflect the rain out of said
apparatus through said lower openings so that said cupola collects air
substantially free of rain for the interior of the building, and
a set of outwardly and downwardly protruding flanges integrally mounted on
said sidewalls of said housing and deflecting wind driven particulates
away from said lower openings so that said cupola collects air
substantially free of particulates for the interior of the building.
7. The cupola of claim 6, wherein said baffles include integrally mounted
elongate upper lips, said upper lips disposed inwardly of and above said
upper openings to catch wind driven rain entering said upper openings.
8. The cupola of claim 6, wherein said sidewalls include a pair of upper
inclined panels and a pair of lower upright panels having upper edges,
said upper openings being formed between said cover and said upper
inclined panels, said lower openings being formed between said upper
inclined panels and said lower upright panels, said flanges being mounted
on said upper edges of said upright panels.
9. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a housing having a pair of sidewalls, a pair of upright end walls, and a
cover,
a pair of upper, vertically disposed elongate openings and a pair of lower
horizontally disposed elongate openings formed in said sidewalls of said
housing for the intake of air,
a set of elongate rain baffles having bottom lips and connected to said end
walls of said housing, said baffles disposed inwardly of said upper
openings and obliquely to said sidewalls, said bottom lips of said baffles
located above said lower openings to that said baffles collect wind driven
rain entering said upper openings and deflect the rain out of said
apparatus through said lower openings so that said cupola collects air
substantially free of rain from the interior of the building,
a set of outwardly and downwardly protruding flanges integrally mounted on
said sidewalls of said housing and deflecting wind driven particulates
away from said lower openings so that said cupola collects air
substantially free of particulates for the interior of the building, and
valve means for metering the amount of air introduced to the interior of
the building from said housing, said valve means connected to said housing
and having a passage in communication with said elongate openings.
10. The cupola of claim 9, wherein said valve means comprises
a casing forming inlet and outlet apertures, said inlet aperture
cooperating with a duct extending from said housing so that air collected
by said housing is introduced into said casing through said inlet
aperture, said outlet aperture allowing air to flow from said casing to
the interior of the building,
a flap pivotally connected in said casing for covering and controlling air
flow through said outlet aperture,
a rod having proximal and distal ends, said proximal end affixed to said
flap and said distal end extending from said casing, and
a counterweight affixed to said distal end of said rod, said counterweight
controlling said flap and metering the amount of air flowing through said
outlet aperture, said counterweight closing said flap when a sufficient
amount of air has been introduced to the interior of the building.
11. The cupola of claim 9, wherein said valve means comprises
an elongate, substantially planar modulating damper pivotally connected to
said end walls, said damper extending to said end and sidewalls, said
damper having a pair of side edges and a pair of ends,
a pair of side stops affixed to said sidewalls and an end stop affixed to
one of said end walls, said side edges being abuttable against said side
stops, one of said side edges abuttable against a top end of one of said
side stops, the other of said side edges abuttable against a bottom end of
the other of said side stops when said damper closes said passage, one of
said ends being abuttable against said end stop when said damper opens
said passage, and
a pair of ropes connected to said side edges, said ropes pivotally opening
and closing said damper so as to control the amount of air flowing from
said housing to the interior of the building.
12. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a pair of upright end walls, each of said end walls having a recessed
bottom edge for conforming to the apex, a pointed top end, a pair of upper
tapered extensions tapering outwardly, and a pair of lower tapered
extensions, each of said upper and lower extensions having upper and lower
edges,
a pair of upright sidewalls affixed to and between said end walls, said
sidewalls being elongate with respect to said end walls and having a pair
of top edges,
a pair of inclined panels mounted on said upper edges of said lower tapered
extensions, said panels being oblique with respect to said upright
sidewalls,
a cover mounted on said pointed top end and said upper edges of said upper
extensions, said cover, end walls, sidewalls, and panels forming a housing
for the collection of fresh air,
a pair of longitudinal lower elongate horizontally disposed openings for
the intake of fresh air, said horizontally disposed openings extending to
each of said end walls and being formed between said panels and said top
edges of said upright sidewalls,
a pair of longitudinal upper elongate vertically disposed openings for the
intake of fresh air, said vertically disposed openings extending to each
of said end walls and being formed between said cover and said panels, and
a pair of oblique longitudinal elongate baffles connected to said end
walls, said baffles being oblique in relation to said upright sidewalls,
each of said baffles having a pair of upper and lower integrally mounted
longitudinal elongate lips, said upper lips disposed inwardly of and above
said panels to catch wind driven rain, said lower lips disposed above said
lower openings to allow water flowing from said upper lips to flow off
said lower lips to be directed out of said lower openings.
13. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a pair of upright end walls, each of said end walls having a recessed
bottom edge for conforming to the apex, a pointed top end, a pair of upper
tapered extensions tapering outwardly, and a pair of lower tapered
extensions, each of said upper and lower extensions having upper and lower
edges,
a pair of upright sidewalls affixed to and between said end walls, said
sidewalls being elongate with respect to said end walls and having a pair
of top edges,
a pair of inclined panels mounted on said upper edges of said lower tapered
extensions, said panels being oblique with respect to said upright
sidewalls,
a cover mounted on said pointed top end and said upper edges of said upper
extensions, said cover, end walls, sidewalls, and panels forming a housing
for the collection of fresh air,
a pair of longitudinal lower elongate horizontally disposed openings for
the intake of fresh air, said horizontally disposed openings extending to
each of said end walls and being formed between said panels and said top
edges of said upright sidewalls,
a pair of longitudinal upper elongate vertically disposed openings for the
intake of fresh air, said vertically disposed openings extending to each
of said end walls and being formed between said cover and said panels, and
a pair of longitudinal elongate flanges integrally mounted on said top
edges of said upright sidewalls and protruding downwardly and outwardly
therefrom to direct wind driven snow and air away from said horizontally
disposed opening.
14. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a pair of upright end walls, each of said end walls having a recessed
bottom edge for conforming to the apex, a pointed top end, a pair of upper
tapered extensions tapering outwardly, and a pair of lower tapered
extensions, each of said upper and lower extensions having upper and lower
edges,
a pair of upright sidewalls affixed to and between said end walls, said
sidewalls being elongate with respect to said end walls and having a pair
of top edges,
a pair of inclined panels mounted on said upper edges of said lower tapered
extensions, said panels being oblique with respect to said upright
sidewalls,
a cover mounted on said pointed top end and said upper edges of said upper
extensions, said cover, end walls, sidewalls, and panels forming a housing
for the collection of fresh air,
a pair of longitudinal lower elongate horizontally disposed openings for
the intake of fresh air, said horizontally disposed openings extending to
each of said end walls and being formed between said panels and said top
edges of said upright sidewalls,
a pair of longitudinal upper elongate vertically disposed openings for the
intake of fresh air, said vertically disposed openings extending to each
of said end walls and being formed between said cover and said panels,
a pair of oblique longitudinal elongate baffles connected to said end
walls, said baffles being oblique in relation to said upright sidewalls,
each of said baffles having a pair of upper and lower integrally mounted
longitudinal elongate lips, said upper lips disposed inwardly of and above
said panels to catch wind driven rain, said lower lips disposed above said
lower openings to allow water flowing from said upper lips to flow off
said lower lips to be directed out of said lower openings, and
a pair of longitudinal elongate flanges integrally mounted on said top
edges of said upright sidewalls and protruding downwardly and outwardly
therefrom to direct wind driven snow and air away from said horizontally
disposed opening.
15. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a pair of upright end walls, each of said end walls having a recessed
bottom edge for conforming to the apex, a pointed top end, a pair of upper
tapered extensions tapering outwardly, and a pair of lower tapered
extensions, each of said upper and lower extensions having upper and lower
edges,
a pair of upright sidewalls affixed to and between said end walls, said
sidewalls being elongate with respect to said end walls and having a pair
of top edges,
a pair of inclined panels mounted on said upper edges of said lower tapered
extensions, said panels being oblique with respect to said upright
sidewalls,
a cover mounted on said pointed top end and said upper edges of said upper
extensions, said cover, end walls, sidewalls, and panels forming a housing
for the collection of fresh air,
a pair of longitudinal lower elongate horizontally disposed openings for
the intake of fresh air, said horizontally disposed openings extending to
each of said end walls and being formed between said panels and said top
edges of said upright sidewalls,
a pair of longitudinal upper elongate vertically disposed openings for the
intake of fresh air, said vertically disposed openings extending to each
of said end walls and being formed between said cover and said panels,
a pair of oblique longitudinal elongate baffles connected to said end
walls, said baffles being oblique in relation to said upright sidewalls,
each of said baffles having a pair of upper and lower integrally mounted
longitudinal elongate lips, said upper flanges disposed inwardly of and
above said panels to catch wind driven rain, said lower lips disposed
above said lower openings to allow water flowing from said upper lips to
flow off said lower lips to be directed out of said lower openings,
a pair of longitudinal elongate flanges integrally mounted on said top
edges of said upright sidewalls and protruding downwardly and outwardly
therefrom to direct wind driven snow and air away from said horizontally
disposed opening,
a duct having proximal and distal ends for conveying air from said housing
to the interior of the building, said proximal end of said duct affixed to
said housing, said duct extending therefrom to be affixed at said distal
end to the interior of the building,
a counterweight valve affixed to said distal end of said duct means at the
interior of the building and having a casing, a pair of rigid flaps
pivotally mounted in said casing, and a pair of rods affixed to said flaps
and having counterweights, said rods extending from said casing, said
flaps covering a pair of outlet passages formed in said casing, said
passages extending from said duct to the interior of the building for
conveying air from said duct to the interior of the building, said flaps
opening to allow the passage of air when a pressure differential is
created between the interior and exterior of the structure, said
counterweight controlling the distance said flaps open and the amount of
air allowed to pass therethrough, said counterweights being adjustable for
responding to greater or lesser pressure differentials.
16. A cupola mounted on an apex of a roof of a building and over an inlet
formed in the roof, comprising
a pair of upright end walls, each of said end walls having a recessed
bottom edge for conforming to the apex, a pointed top end, a pair of upper
tapered extensions tapering outwardly, and a pair of lower tapered
extensions, each of said upper and lower extensions having upper and lower
edges,
a pair of upright sidewalls affixed to and between said end walls, said
sidewalls being elongate with respect to said end walls and having a pair
of top edges,
a pair of inclined panels mounted on said upper edges of said lower tapered
extensions, said panels being oblique with respect to said upright
sidewalls,
a cover mounted on said pointed top end and said upper edges of said upper
extensions, said cover, end walls, sidewalls, and panels forming a housing
for the collection of fresh air,
a pair of longitudinal lower elongate horizontally disposed openings for
the intake of fresh air, said horizontally disposed openings extending to
each of said end walls and being formed between said panels and said top
edges of said upright sidewalls,
a pair of longitudinal upper elongate vertically disposed openings for the
intake of fresh air, said vertically disposed openings extending to each
of said end walls and being formed between said cover and said panels,
a pair of oblique longitudinal elongate baffles connected to said end
walls, said baffles being oblique in relation to said upright sidewalls,
each of said baffles having a pair of upper and lower integrally mounted
longitudinal elongate lips, said upper flanges disposed inwardly of and
above said panels to catch wind driven rain, said lower lips disposed
above said lower openings to allow water flowing from said upper lips to
flow off said lower lips to be directed out of said lower openings,
a pair of longitudinal elongate flanges integrally mounted on said top
edges of said upright sidewalls and protruding downwardly and outwardly
therefrom to direct wind driven snow and air away from said horizontally
disposed opening,
an elongate, substantially planar modulating damper pivotally connected to
said end walls, said damper extending to said end and sidewalls, said
damper having a pair of side edges and a pair of ends,
a pair of side stops affixed to said sidewalls and an end stop affixed to
said end walls, said side edges being abuttable against said side stops,
one of said side edges abuttable against a top end of one of said side
stops, the other of said side edges abuttable against a bottom end of the
other of said side stops when said damper closes said passage, one of said
ends being abuttable against said end stop when said damper opens said
passage, and
a pair of ropes connected to said side edges, said ropes pivotally opening
and closing said damper so as to control the amount of air flowing from
said housing to the interior of the building. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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cl BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to air intake apparatus and more particularly
to air intake apparatus surmounting a roof of a structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since the medieval times, cupolas have been utilized on the roofs of
buildings, such as on mosques, to admit air and provide for the escape of
smoke or polluted air. In more conventional times, spiral shaped spinning
louvers may have been attached to roofs for ventilation.
Instead of mechanical apparatus, powered devices such as power vents and
fans may be used to draw in fresh air and exhaust contaminated air.
Powered apparatus are typically utilized in agricultural buildings such as
barns and in industrial and commercial buildings such as warehouses.
A conventional ventilation system provides for both intake and exhaust. It
is typical for a powered ventilator to control both the intake of fresh
air and the exhaust of noxious air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A feature of the present invention is a cupola having a first set of upper
elongate openings for the intake of fresh air. The upper openings are
vertically disposed in opposing sidewalls of the cupola to capture frontal
air flow or wind blowing directly on the cupola.
A second pair of lower elongate openings for air intake is formed below the
upper pair of elongate openings. The lower openings are disposed
horizontally in the opposing sidewalls and have extended overhangs or
eaves so that air rising vertically off the roof of the building by heat
or turbulent wind may travel upwardly into the cupola.
A pair of oblique baffles are disposed inwardly of the upper openings to
catch wind driven moisture. A lower portion of the baffles is oriented
outwardly to be disposed above the lower openings. Water, typically rain,
flows off the lower portion of the baffles and out the lower openings.
A pair of deflecting flanges are located beneath the baffles and form edges
of the lower openings to deflect, for example, wind driven snow. The
flanges project downwardly and outwardly from the sidewalls of the cupola.
Screens are connected at the openings to prevent the intake of wind driven
articles such as leaves and paper. The screens for the lower openings
extend over and protect the snow deflecting flange from damage by wind
driven articles.
A pair of counterweight valves is connected downstream from a cupola to a
ceiling of a building such as a warehouse. The counterweight valves
cooperate with the cupola through a duct connecting the valve to the
cupola.
Each counterweight valve has a pair of rigid flaps. Each flap is controlled
by a counterweight connected thereto and extending therefrom to the
exterior of the valve. Each flap covers an opening formed in the valve
through which air flows to the interior of the building.
In operation, power ventilation apparatus may draw contaminated air from
the building to which a cupola and counterweight valve are affixed. As air
is drawn from the building a negative pressure is created therein relative
to the pressure on the exterior of the building. When the negative
pressure is created, the flaps open the distance prescribed by the
counterweight. Air then flows through the openings and duct to the
counterweight valve where the air is directed through the valve openings
and horizontally across the interior space.
The oblique baffles catch rain driven by the wind through the upper
openings. The oblique baffles then deflect the rain which flows off the
baffle and out of the cupola through the lower openings. The deflecting
flange disposed at the lower opening prevents rain or water adsorbed by
the surface of the cupola from being driven into the cupola by the wind.
The flange also prevents wind driven snow from collecting or being drawn
into the cupola.
A feature of an alternate embodiment of the valve includes a modulating
damper disposed in the cupola. The modulating damper may include a
pivoting panel controlled by ropes extending downwardly therefrom.
An advantage of the present invention are the relative orientations of the
openings. The upper openings are generally accessible to frontal air flow
or wind blowing directly on the cupola. The lower openings are accessible
to and capture air flow created by the building. Turbulent air flow
created by the roof and cupola may be directed upwards and into the lower
openings. Air flow created by the temperature difference between the roof
of the building and the outside air rises into the lower openings to be
captured by the cupola. Hence a diversified supply of air exists for
intake by the counterweight or modulating valve.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the oblique baffles
cooperate with both the upper and lower openings to dispense moisture. The
baffles catch rain driven through the upper openings and subsequently
direct the moisture out of the cupola through the lower openings.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the deflecting
flanges prevent wind driven particulates from entering the cupola.
Particulates such as snow or sand tend to track on the roofs of
structures. With the deflecting flanges of the lower opening, the
particulates are driven away from the openings in the cupola. Moreover,
the deflecting flanges lower the physical energy of the wind driven
particulates.
Still another advantage of the invention is that the openings are
elongated. For a given amount of area, the elongate openings allow a
greater diversification of air into the cupola than, for instance,
circular openings.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the overhangs are
multipurpose. The overhangs not only avert water away from the upper and
lower openings, but also capture air deflected by the roof and cupola and
divert it into the cupola through the lower openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air intake apparatus connected to the
exterior of a structure.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view at line 2--2 of the air
intake apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view at line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cut away view of a flap shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the counterweight valve shown in FIGS. 2
and 3.
FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view at line 6--6 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cupola 10 is mounted on an apex 11 of a roof
12 of a building 13. The cupola 10 is affixed over an inlet 12.1 formed in
the apex 11 of the roof 12.
The cupola 10 has a pair of upright end walls 14 and 15. End wall 14 has a
pair of upper tapered extensions 16 and 17 and a pair of lower tapered
extensions 18 and 19. Extensions 16, 17, 18 and 19 taper away from apex 11
of the roof 12. Upper extensions 16 and 17 have a pair of respective upper
inclined edges 20 and 21. Lower extensions 18 and 19 have a pair of
respective upper inclined edges 22 and 23. Extensions 16, 17, 18 and 19
also have a set of respective lower inclined edges 24, 25, 26 and 27. End
wall 14 has a bottom angled recess 28 for conforming to the apex 11 of the
roof 12 and a pointed top end 28.1. End wall 15 is formed similarly to end
wall 14.
A pair of upright panels or sidewalls 29 and 30 is affixed to and between
the end walls 14 and 15 and to the roof 12. A pair of integrally connected
oblique panels 31 and 32 of the end walls 14 and 15 may be affixed to the
roof 12 by a plurality of nails 33. The sidewalls 29 and 30 extend up the
end walls 14 and 15 to approximately a middle portion 34 of each lower
extension 18 and 19. The sidewalls 29 and 30 are elongate with respect to
the end walls 14 and 15 and have a pair of respective top edges 35 and 36.
A pair of inclined panels or sidewalls 37 and 38 is mounted on the upper
edges 22 and 23 of the lower extensions 18 and 19. The panels 37 and 38
are oblique in relation to the upright sidewalls 29 and 30. Each panel 37
and 38 has an upper end 39 and a lower end 40.
A peaked cover 41 is mounted on the pointed top end 28.1 and the upper
edges 20 and 21 of the upper extensions 16 and 17 of the end walls 14 and
15. The peaked cover 41 has a pair of eaves 42 and 43. The cover 41, the
end walls 14 and 15, the sidewalls 29 and 30, and the panels 37 and 38
form an exterior housing of the cupola 10 for the collection of fresh air.
A pair of lower, longitudinal, elongate, substantially horizontally
disposed openings 43 and 44 is formed by the lower ends 40 of the panels
37 and 38, the top edges 35 and 36 of the sidewalls 29 and 30, and the
tapered extensions 18 and 19 of the end walls 14 and 15. The openings 43
and 44 capture fresh air which, for instance, may be driven off of the
roof 12 of the building 13. A pair of screens 45 and 46 are affixed to the
lower edges 26 and 27 of the extensions 19 and 20, ends 40 of panels 37
and 38, and the sidewalls 29 and 30 to be disposed over the respective
openings 43 and 44 to prevent the intake of wind driven articles.
A pair of upper, longitudinal, elongate substantially horizontally disposed
openings 47 and 48 is formed by the eaves 42 and 43 of the cover 41, the
upper ends 39 of the panels 37 and 38, and the edges 24 and 25 of the
upper extensions 16 and 17 of the end walls 14 and 15. The openings 47 and
48 allow for the intake of fresh air. A pair of screens 49 and 50 are
affixed to the eaves 42 and 43, the upper ends 39, and the edges 24 and 25
to be disposed over the openings 47 and 48 to prevent the intake of wind
driven articles such as leaves and paper.
A pair of oblique, longitudinally elongate baffles 51 and 52 is affixed to
and between the end walls 14 and 15. The baffles 51 and 52 are disposed
obliquely in relation to the upright sidewalls 29 and 30. Each of the
baffles 51 and 52 has a respective upper, integrally connected,
longitudinal, elongate lip 53 and 54 extending outwardly and substantially
parallel to respective edges 24 and 25 of the upper extensions 16 and 17.
Each of the baffles 51 and 52 has a respective, lower, integrally
connected, longitudinal, elongate lip 55 and 56 extending outwardly and
substantially parallel to respective eaves 42 and 43. The upper lips 53
and 54 are disposed above the upper ends 39 of the panels 37 and 38 and
inwardly of the openings 47 and 48 and the sidewalls 29 and 30. The lower
lips 55 and 56 are disposed above the lower openings 43 and 44, below the
upper ends 39 of the panels 37 and 38, and outwardly of the upright
sidewalls 29 and 30. Water driven in the upper openings 47 and 48 is
captured by the lips 53 and 54 and the baffles 51 and 52 and flow off the
lower lips 55 and 56 and out the lower openings 43 and 44 to the roof 12.
A pair of inclined, longitudinal, elongate lips of flanges 57 and 58 is
integrally connected to respective top edges 35 and 36 of the sidewalls 29
and 30. The flanges 57 and 58 extend downwardly and outwardly and
substantially parallel to inclined panels 37 and 38. The flanges 57 and 58
direct wind driven snow away from the openings 43 and 44.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a counterweight valve housing 59 has a pair of
side panels 60 and 61. The panels 60 and 61 have respective bottom edges
62 and 63.
A bottom panel 64 is affixed centrally to and transversely between the
bottom edges 62 and 63 of panels 60 and 61. The bottom panel 64 has a
shorter length than the length of side panels 60 and 61.
A central, transversely extending bar 65 is affixed to and between panels
60 and 61 and is mounted centrally on bottom panel 64. The bar 65 has a
pair of opposing, vertically extending, planar faces 66 and 67.
A rectangular frame 68 is mounted on and between the side panels 60 and 61.
The frame 68 has a pair of opposing, main, longitudinal bars 69 and 70 and
a pair of opposing, main, transverse bars 71 and 72. Each bar 69, 70, 71
and 72 has a respective, upper, smaller bar 73, 74, 75 and 76 mounted
thereupon so that the inner edges of bars 69, 70, 71 and 72 are flush with
the inner edges of bars 73, 74, 75, and 76. Each bar 69, 70, 71, and 72
has a respective, lower, smaller bar 77, 78, 79 and 80 affixed thereto so
that the inner edges of bars 69, 70, 71 and 72 are flush with the inner
edges of bars 77, 78, 79 and 80. Bars 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80
are smaller in length and cross-section than the main bars 69, 70, 71 and
72.
Main bars 69 and 70 are mounted centrally on a pair of respective upper
edges 81 and 82 of the side panels 60 and 61. Longitudinal bars 77 and 78
are affixed to the inside of side panels 60 and 61. The ends of bars 71
and 72 are also mounted on edges 81 and 82, as well as the ends of bars 79
and 80.
A pair of top, transverse, outer panels 83 and 84 are mounted on edges 81
and 82 of the side panels 60 and 61 and is affixed to respective
transverse bars 71 and 72. The panels 83 and 84 may also be affixed to
smaller bars 79 and 80.
A central, main, transverse bar 85 is affixed to and between longitudinal
bars 69, 73 and 77 and longitudinal bars 70, 74, and 78. A pair of
smaller, transverse bars 86 and 87 is affixed to opposing faces 88 and 89
of bar 85 and is affixed to and between longitudinal bars 69 and 77 and
longitudinal bars 70 and 78. Bar 85 is affixed in a pair of recesses 90
and 91 formed in respective bars 69, 73, and 77, and bars 70, 74, and 78.
A pair of pivoting, angled, stainless steel rods 92 and 93 extends through
a set of apertures 94, 95, 96 and 97 formed in the side panels 60 and 61.
Rods 92 and 93 have a pair of respective transversely extending rod
sections 98 and 99 and a pair of respective, oblique, rod sections 100 and
101 extending outwardly and downwardly from transverse rod sections 98 and
99. Rod section 98 rotates in holes 94 and 95 formed in respective panels
60 and 61. Rod section 99 rotates in holes 96 and 97 formed in respective
panels 60 and 61.
A pair of planar rigid styrofoam flaps or valves 102 and 103 is affixed to
respective rod sections 98 and 99. The flaps 102, 103 have respective
distal ends 102.1, 103.1. Each of the valves 102 and 103 has a pair of
plates 104 and 105 affixed in a groove 106 running transversely in the
inner edge of each of the valves 102 and 103. One end of each plate 104
and 105 is affixed in the groove 106 and the other end of each plate 104
and 105 is affixed to rod sections 98 and 99.
A pair of lead counterweights 107 and 108 is slideably mounted on
respective oblique rod sections 100 and 101. The counterweights 107 and
108 taper inwardly toward transverse rod sections 98 and 99. A pair of
rubber stops 109 and 110 is frictionally mounted on respective, oblique
rod sections 100 and 101 to control the location of counterweights 107 and
108 which by the force of gravity bear against the rubber stops 108 and
109.
A pair of triggers 111 and 112 is connected to respective side panels 60
and 61 and cooperate with the oblique rod sections 100 and 101. Each of
the triggers 111 and 112 has a trigger bar 113 affixed to panels 60 and 61
by a pin 114. A protruding trigger pin 115 is affixed to and extends
outwardly from the bar 113 to act as an abutment for oblique rod sections
100 and 101.
A first inlet passage 116 is formed between bars 71 and 85. A second inlet
passage 117 is formed between bars 72 and 85. A first outlet passage 118
is formed between valve 102 and top panel 83. A second outlet passage 119
is formed between valve 103 and top panel 84.
A duct means 120 is affixed to the roof 12 at a proximal end 120.1 in the
inlet 14 and extends downwardly therefrom to be affixed to the frame 68 at
a distal end 120.2. Typically, a single cupola 10 will cooperate with a
pair of counterweight valve housings 59 wherein each said valve housing 59
has a pair of valve flaps 102 and 103.
In operation, the counterweights 107 and 108 are set to a prescribed
location on rod sections 100 and 101 by manually moving the rubber stops
109 and 110. The counterweights 107 and 108 act as counter balances for
the flaps 102 and 103. The location and mass of the counterweights 107 and
108 control the amount of movement of the flaps 102 and 103 and thereby
the size of the outlet passages 118 and 119. For a given amount of
negative static pressure in the building 13, the further the
counterweights 107 and 108 are set down and away from their respective
flaps 102 and 103, the smaller the size of the outlet passages 118 and
119. Conversely, the closer the counterweights 107 and 108 are set to
their respective flaps 102 and 103, the greater the size of the outlet
passages 118 and 119 for a given amount of negative static pressure in the
building 13.
When the static pressure of the interior of the building 13 is equal to the
outside of the building 13, the flaps 102 and 103 rest in a closed
position so that their upper faces abut the lower faces of respective top
panels 83 and 84. The oblique rod sections 100 and 101 rest in a position
downwardly and away from trigger pin 115.
When a negative pressure is created in the interior of the building 13 such
as when air is exhausted therefrom, air flowing in openings 43 and 44 and
47 and 48 flows through inlet 14 and duct 120 to the inlet passages 116
and 117 of the counterweight valve housings 59. The air movement, which is
determined by the amount of negative static pressure, then bears against
the rigid flaps 102 and 103. The flaps 102 and 103 subsequently open to
form outlet passages 118 and 119 and allow air to pass therethrough to the
interior of the building 13.
Air continues to flow through the passages 116, 117, 118 and 119 as long as
a negative static pressure exists in the building 13. If the negative
static pressure is increased such as when a greater amount of air is
exhausted from the building 13, the greater movement of air opens the
flaps 102 and 103 to increase the size of the outlet passages 118 and 119.
The oblique rod sections 100 and 101 and the counterweights 107 and 108
swing upwardly. When the negative pressure is sufficiently great, the rod
sections 100 abut the trigger pin 115 so as to preclude further opening of
the flaps 102 and 103.
If the negative static pressure is decreased, the force of gravity draws
the counterweights 107 and 108 downwardly, which in turn moves the flaps
102 and 103 so as to decrease the size of the outlet passages 118 and 119.
When a negative static pressure ceases to exist, the counterweights 107
and 108 are drawn downwardly by gravity to close the passages 118 and 119.
It should be noted that either great or minute quantities of air may be
introduced into the building 13. If power vents are drawing air rapidly
from the building 13, then the flaps 102 and 103 allow a corresponding
amount of air intake. If the power vents are drawing at a slow rate, such
as during the winter months, the flaps 102 and 103 may open as little as
five one-hundredths of an inch. Thus, minute, uniform quantities of air
may be introduced from a number of counterweight valves 59. It may be more
beneficial to introduce a cupful of fresh air at a large number of intake
points than to inject a bucketful of air at merely a few intake points.
It should also be noted that the flaps 102 and 103 direct air horizontally
across the interior of building 13 to which the cupola 10 is affixed. The
air travels horizontally until it expends its original physical energy.
Hence, when a large temperature differential exists between the interior
of the building 13 such as during the winter months, fresh air is
distributed over a maximum area with little decrease in the desired
temperature of the building's interior.
It should be further noted that the counterweight valves 59 may be affixed
to a wall, as well as the ceiling of building 13. If installed and
disposed vertically on a wall, the outside temperature may dictate the
impingement angle of the air introduced into the building. During the
winter months, one of the flaps 102 and 103 would be disposed above the
other. The lower flap would be closed and the upper flap is operational to
direct cold air upwards and away from the occupants of the building.
During the summer months, the lower flap is operational to convey air in
the proximity of the occupants.
It should further be noted that the cupola 10 may be fabricated from
fiberglass. Since the cupola 10 is exposed to the elements, a cupola
formed of fiberglass is more durable and less susceptible to rust than
cupolas formed from other materials such as metals.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an elongate
substantially planar damper 121 is pivotally affixed and extends to the
end walls 14 and 15. The damper 121 also extends to the sidewalls 29 and
30 where it abuts a pair of elongate, horizontal, closed damper stops 122
and 123 affixed to respective sidewalls 29 and 30. In its closed position,
the bottom face of the damper 121 abuts the upper end of the damper stop
122 and the upper face of damper 121 abuts the lower end of damper stop
123. A single, vertical, opened damper stop 124 is affixed to end wall 14
off center from a central pivot 125 of the modulating damper and closer to
stop 123 than stop 122. In an opened position, damper 121 abuts stop 124.
A pair of ropes 126 and 127 is connected to a pair of opposite ends 128
and 129 of the damper 121 to control the movement thereof. In operation,
when the damper 121 is to be opened, rope 127 is pulled. When the damper
121 is to be closed, rope 126 is pulled. Moreover, static pressure in the
building 13 may control opening and closing of the damper 121. If static
pressure opens damper 121, the damper 121 may pivot slightly.
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