Modular structural louver and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems that include structural supports and louvers, and may also include dampers, actuators and wiring in pre-assembled modules that may be transported to a building site, tilted up into place, and installed. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems which include integrated vertical and horizontal structural supports, allowing for the elimination of some vertical and horizontal wall structures in a building by relying on the structural support provided in the modular louvered systems, thereby making more space available in the building for louvers and airflow.

Claims

1. A pre-assembled modular structural louver system comprising: a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to support weight of a building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members configured to support a catwalk, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; a plurality of louvers attached to the frame, wherein outside vertical flanges of said louvers are sealed against edges of said vertical support members; a plurality of damper support members attached to said vertical support members; and a plurality of dampers, at least one of said plurality of dampers being attached to one of said plurality of damper support members, wherein the modular structural louver system is completely assembled at a location other than a construction site of the building, subsequently transported to the construction site of the building and installed in the building.

2. The modular structural louver system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electronic actuators, at least one of said plurality of actuators being attached to one of said plurality of dampers.

3. The modular structural louver system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of wires wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to one of said plurality of actuators.

4. A method for constructing a building comprising the steps of: (a) at a location other than a construction site of the building, assembling at least one structural louver system comprising the steps of: (i) erecting a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to support weight of the building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members configured to support a catwalk, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; (ii) attaching a plurality of louvers to the frame; (iii) attaching a plurality of damper support members to said vertical support members; (iv) sealing outside vertical flanges of said louvers against edges of said vertical support members; and (v) attaching a plurality of dampers to said structural louver system, wherein at least one of said plurality of dampers is attached to one of said plurality of damper support members; (b) transporting said at least one structural louver system in a completely assembled state to the construction site of the building; and (c) installing said at least one structural louver system in the building.

5. The method of claim 4 comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of electronic actuators to said structural louver system wherein at least one of said plurality of actuators is attached to one of said plurality of dampers before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building.

6. The method of claim 5 comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of wires to said structural louver system wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to one of said plurality of actuators before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building.

7. A method for increasing an amount of air available for circulation in a louvered building comprising the steps of: (a) creating a design for the louvered building to include at least one modular structural louver system with vertical and horizontal structural supports in order to reduce space taken up by walls of said building such that additional space is available for louvers; (b) at a location other than a construction site of the building, assembling said at least one modular structural louver system comprising the steps of: (i) erecting a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to support weight of the building, and a plurality of horizontal structural support members configured to support a catwalk, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; (ii) attaching a plurality of said louvers to the frame; (iii) attaching a plurality of damper support members to said vertical support members; (iv) sealing outside vertical flanges of said louvers against edges of said vertical support members; and (v) attaching a plurality of dampers to said structural louver system, wherein at least one of said plurality of dampers is attached to one of said plurality of damper support members; (c) transporting said at least one structural louver system in a completely assembled state to the construction site of the building; and (d) installing said at least one structural louver system in the building.

8. The method of claim 7 comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of electronic actuators to said structural louver system wherein at least one of said plurality of actuators is attached to one of said plurality of dampers before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of wires to said structural louver system wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to one of said plurality of actuators before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a pre-assembled modular unit prior to installation on a building.

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with no dampers shown.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with dampers.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing a pre-assembled modular unit prior to installation on a building.

(5) FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, with no dampers shown.

(6) FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, with dampers.

(7) FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of the invention prior to installation on a wall.

(8) FIG. 8 is a close-up perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 after installation on a wall.

(9) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention installed in a building.

(11) FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention installed in a building.

(12) FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the invention installed in a building.

(13) FIG. 13 is a close-up view of an embodiment of the present invention showing detail of a pre-assembled frame with louver, damper and actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, it is seen that in this illustrated embodiment, a pre-assembled support frame 11 is provided having two vertical secondary structural support members 13 and 15, and two horizontal structural support members 16 and 18. These support members are made of iron, steel, aluminum or other sturdy metal. Between horizontal members 16 and 18, one or more additional horizontal members may be provided, such as member 19, depending on the height of the frame 11. The pre-assembled unit includes a plurality of louvers 21 at the front (FIG. 1). FIG. 2 shows the back of the unit before installation of the dampers and actuators, and FIG. 2 shows the back of the unit with dampers and actuators installed. It is to be appreciated that the view of FIG. 3 is not representative of actual dampers and actuators; details of an actual damper 25 and actuator 26 is shown in FIG. 13.

(15) Referring to the illustrated example of FIG. 13, it is seen that the exemplary damper 25 is a vertical column that is attached to each of the pivotally mounted blades of the louver, such that moving the damper up and down opens or closes the louvers. This movement may be accomplished using a mechanical or electronic actuator 26.

(16) The illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 shows two vertical secondary structural support members 13 and 15, two horizontal structural support members 16 and 18 at the top and bottom, and additional horizontal structural support members 19, 20 at locations between 16 and 18. In this embodiment, members 19 and 20 are near each other at the center of the unit 11, leaving a gap which may be needed for some structure of the building.

(17) The illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 shows a close-up perspective view of an upper corner of a pre-assembled unit of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the unit installed in a building, and FIG. 9 shows a top view of the installed version of FIG. 8. A vertical secondary support member 13 is shown attached to a louver 21. In this embodiment, the louver has a side flange 36 so that the outside face may be flush with the wall panel 37, as shown in FIG. 8. The louver flange 36 is sealed to the secondary member 13 at 35 before shipment. This seal provides a barrier against moisture and the like. A damper support member 32 may also be provided, and is attached to vertical member 13. One or more dampers 25 may also be installed and attached to support member 32. One or more actuators 26 (not shown) may also be installed and attached to each damper. Wiring may also be installed leading from the actuators to a common location for easy hook-up once the pre-assembled unit is delivered to the building site for installation.

(18) FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of an embodiment of the invention installed in a wall of a building. In this embodiment, three louvers 21 are provided adjacent to each other between vertical supports 13 and 15. The vertical supports are attached to the walls 37 of the building. The positions of the damper supports 32, dampers 25, and actuators 26 are all shown.

(19) FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate two different embodiments of the invention installed in a building wall.

(20) It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. In particular, and without limitation, each of the various features and/or aspects of each embodiment disclosed herein may be used with other features and/or aspects of other embodiment disclosed herein in different combinations. Other combinations of features of the various embodiments disclosed herein are also included within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.