Method and Apparatus to Provide Ventilation for a Building

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus allows fresh air to be introduced into a building through action of a special manifold or manifolds designed to direct fresh air into the interior atmosphere of the building, while air from the interior of the building is directed to the furnace combustion system and ultimately exhausted to the exterior of the building.

Claims

1) A method for providing exterior fresh air into an interior of a building, the method including a manifold comprising; an exterior air inlet port that allows the exterior air into the manifold, an interior air inlet port that allows air from the interior of the building into the manifold, a furnace combustion fan outlet port that allows air from the manifold to pass to a furnace combustion fan of a heating system of the building and thence to an exterior of the building, a movable gate that directs air within the manifold by being adjustable through a range of positions, and a control means for operating the moveable gate; adjusting a position of the moveable gate into one of two main positions, the two positions including a first position and a second position; and directing air through the manifold; wherein when the moveable gate is in the first position the exterior air enters the manifold through the exterior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port such that air passes through a combustion chamber of the furnace and subsequently passes to the exterior of the building; and wherein when the movable gate is in the second position, the air from the interior of the building enters the manifold through the interior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port and subsequently passes to the combustion chamber of the furnace, wherein air from the interior of the building is used to provide air for furnace combustion and which is exhausted to the exterior of the building through action of the furnace combustion fan.

2) The method of claim 1 wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system which is, in turn, adjustable by a user and includes selected operational settings.

3) The method of claim 1 wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system and is positioned based on the difference between interior and exterior barometric pressure.

4) The method of claim 1 wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system and is positioned based on humidity levels within the building.

5) The method of claim 1 wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system and is positionable to provide a variable mixture of the exterior air with the interior air prior to delivery to the combustion chamber of the furnace.

6) A method for providing exterior fresh air into an interior of a building, the method including 2 manifolds; a 1st manifold comprising; an exterior air inlet port that allows the exterior air into the manifold, an interior air inlet port that allows air from the interior of the building into the manifold, a furnace combustion fan outlet port that allows air from the manifold to pass to a furnace combustion fan of a heating system of the building and thence to an exterior of the building, a movable gate that directs air within the manifold by being adjustable through a range of positions, and a control means for operating the moveable gate; adjusting a position of the moveable gate into one of two main positions, the two positions including a first position and a second position; and directing air through the manifold; wherein when the moveable gate is in the first position the exterior air enters the manifold through the exterior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port such that air passes through a combustion chamber of the furnace and subsequently passes to the exterior of the building; and wherein when the movable gate is in the second position, the air from the interior of the building enters the manifold through the interior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port and subsequently passes to the combustion chamber of the furnace, wherein air from the interior of the building is used to provide air for furnace combustion and which is exhausted to the exterior of the building through action of the furnace combustion fan; and a 2nd manifold comprising; an exterior air inlet port an interior air outlet port a movable gate that controls air through the manifold a control means for operating the movable gate; adjusting a position of the moveable gate into one of two main positions; the two positions including a first position and a second position; and directing exterior air through the manifold; wherein when the movable gate is in the first position, the exterior air is prevented from entering the manifold and wherein when the control gate is in the second position, the exterior air enters the manifold through the exterior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the interior air outlet port and thereby into the interior of the building.

7) The method of claim 6 wherein the control means for operating the movable gates are actuated through direction of an electronic control system to position the movable gate within the 2nd manifold in a coordinated manner with an action of the movable gate within the 1st manifold.

8) The method of claim 6 wherein the control means for operating the movable gates are actuated through direction of an electronic control system to position the movable gate within the 2nd manifold in an independent manner from an action of the movable gate within the 1st manifold.

9) The method of claim 6 wherein the control means for operating the movable gates within the 1st manifold and the 2nd manifold positions the gates through direction of an electronic control system which is, in turn, adjustable by a user and includes selected operational settings.

11) The method of claim 6 wherein the control means for operating the movable gates located within the 1st manifold and the 2nd manifold are actuated through direction of an electronic control system and are adjusted based on the difference between interior and exterior barometric pressure.

12) The method of claim 6 wherein action of the control means for operating the movable gates located within the 1st manifold and the 2nd manifold are actuated through direction of an electronic control system and are adjusted based on humidity levels within the building.

13) The method of claim 6 wherein the control means for operating the movable gate of the 1st manifold is actuated through direction of an electronic control system to provide a variable mixture of the exterior air with the interior air prior to delivery to the combustion chamber of the furnace, while the control means for operating the movable gate located within the 2nd manifold is actuated

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0030] The accompanying drawings are meant to describe a non-limiting design for manifolds which could be used to facilitate the air transfers previously described. The views in the figures are included as partial views of the manifolds in that the upper cover for the manifolds and control elements for the movable air control gates are not fully described. As a visual aid, arrows shown on the drawings depict air flows into and out of the manifolds and the cold air return ductwork of the building. The drawings describe the method and system in plan view showing the manifolds, each with a plurality of ports, movable air control gates and a representation of the manual or electronic control mechanisms used to control the gates.

[0031] FIG. 1 describes a plan view of the invention wherein exterior fresh air is directed to the furnace combustion burner fan through a first manifold and wherein exterior fresh air is prevented from entering the building through a second manifold.

[0032] FIG. 2 describes a plan view of the invention wherein air from an interior location in the building is directed to the furnace combustion burner fan through the first manifold and wherein exterior fresh air is directed to the interior of the building through a second manifold, and in this embodiment, being blended into air returning to the furnace through the cold air return ductwork.

[0033] FIG. 3 describes a plan view of the invention wherein varying amounts of air from both the interior and exterior of the building are directed to the furnace combustion burner fan through the first manifold and wherein varying amounts of exterior fresh air is allowed into the building through the second manifold. The air control gates are depicted in a partially opened or blend position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] As shown in FIGS. (1-3), various air flows are directed through action of special manifolds (10 & 12) which are designed to facilitate the direction of the air flows through adjustment of movable air control gates (20 & 22).

[0035] In reference to FIGS. (1-3) , first manifold (10) comprises exterior air inlet port (40), furnace combustion air outlet port (30), and interior air inlet port (50) which directs air from inside of the building into the manifold (10). Within manifold (10), a movable air control gate (20) is located and designed in such manner as to direct the air from inside or outside the building to the combustion air outlet port (30) while also creating a substantial barrier to seal off the undesired air pathways and eliminate or control air leakage between the ports during use. In addition, second manifold (12) comprises exterior air inlet port (60) and outlet port (70) and movable air gate (22) which is designed to control the air traveling into the building preferably through the cold air return ductwork (80). In standard mode and as best shown in FIG. 1, air is directed from outside the building into the manifold (10) through exterior air inlet port (40) and then through furnace combustion air outlet port (30) ultimately traveling through the furnace combustion burner and exhausted to the outside of the building, while fresh exterior air is prevented from entering the building through action of the movable gate (22) located in second manifold (12). In fresh air introduction mode and as best shown in FIG. (2) furnace combustion air is drawn from inside the building through interior air inlet port (50) located in first manifold (10) and continues to furnace combustion air outlet port (30) wherein it is directed to the furnace combustion burner fan, while in coordination, outside air is directed through fresh air inlet port (60) located in second manifold (12) therein being directed to the inside of the building through air outlet port (70) preferably being blended into the air returning to the furnace through the cold air return ductwork of the building (80).

[0036] In operation, manifolds (10 & 12), including corresponding movable air control gates (20 & 22), will operate in 2 basic modes. In a first mode as shown in FIG. (1), outside air enters the manifold through fresh air inlet port (40) and continues through the manifold to furnace combustion burner outlet port (30). This mode allows the furnace combustion air to be supplied from outside the building in the same manner as existing high efficiency furnace designs. In a second mode, through repositioning of the movable air control gate (20) located in first manifold (10) and as shown in FIG. (2), air from the interior of the building will be directed to the furnace combustion burner outlet port (30). In a preferred embodiment, replacement air will be introduced into the building through action of the air control gate (22) located in second manifold (12), through inlet port (60) and outlet port (70) and preferably blended into air returning to the furnace through the cold air return ductwork (80). In this manner, air from outside the building is introduced into the building while air from inside the building is exhausted through the fan induced exhaust of the furnace combustion burner.

[0037] The non-limiting drawings of manifolds (10 & 12) shown in plan view in FIGS. (1-3) include a representation of control mechanisms (A & B) which will operate gates (20 & 22) either remotely and/or through automatic controls. In operation as shown in FIGS. (1-3), movable air control gates (20 & 22) located inside manifolds (10 & 12) would be operated by control mechanisms (A & B) and will, in a first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. (1) be positioned to allow outside air to be directed to the furnace combustion burner outlet port (30) wherein the air is further directed to the combustion fan of the furnace while air entering the second manifold (12) is prevented by air control gate (22) from introduction into the cold air return (80). In a second embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 2), when fresh air is desired to be introduced into the building, control mechanisms (A & B) will operate movable air control gates (20 & 22) located in manifolds (10 & 12) to a position wherein outside air is preferably directed into the cold air return ductwork (80) of the building, while combustion air for the furnace is provided through interior air inlet port (50) from a location inside the building near first manifold (10) or through special ductwork to draw the air from a location in the building, such as the kitchen, which will be most effective in removing undesired interior air. Introduction of exterior air through inlet port (60) in second manifold (12) and through outlet port (70) into the cold air return ductwork (80) allows the air to be filtered, heated (or cooled) by the furnace and treated before entering the living area. Air could also be siphoned off the cold air return ductwork (80) of the building from a point upwind from the position where the fresh air is introduced into the cold air return ductwork (80) of the building through fresh air outlet port (70). In the case of the cold air return being used for combustion air, the fresh air introduction point is positioned downwind from the point where air is being siphoned off the cold air return ductwork of the building to prevent the fresh air from being re-siphoned back into the combustion air pipe of the furnace.

[0038] In a third embodiment and as shown in FIG. (3), the adjustable air control gates (20 & 22) located in manifolds (10 & 12) could be moved by control mechanisms (A & B) to a position which would allow a variable amount of exterior air and interior air to be supplied to the furnace combustion burner outlet port (30) and then to the furnace combustion fan and ultimately to the exterior of the building while, in coordination and in a preferred embodiment, a variable amount of fresh air to enter through second manifold (12) via inlet port (60) to outlet port (70) and thereby blend with air present in the cold air return ductwork (80) of the building. The movable air control gates (20 & 22), through action of control mechanisms (A & B), could operate in an independent manner, allowing interior air to exit and, by positioning air control gate (22) in manifold (12), allow an optimum amount of exterior air to enter the building, or if necessary, to block air from entering.

[0039] In a fourth, non-preferred embodiment, furnace combustion air could be drawn from inside the building without inclusion of the second manifold (12), with replacement air being provided through cracks around windows and doors in addition to air entering the building during use of the windows and doors. In such embodiment, only first manifold (10) would be utilized and would operate in the same manner as shown in the FIGS. (1-3).

[0040] In a preferred but not limiting embodiment, movable air control gates (20 & 22) will be designed to be able to independently seal off the air channels to the exterior when the heating system is not in use. Separate dampers may also be included in the pipe or pipes connecting the manifold to the cold air return ductwork to allow adjustment of the amount of fresh air entering the building and thereby blending with the inside air returning to the furnace. In addition, supplemental air filters and cleaners could be included in the air inlet system prior to the air entering the cold air return ductwork (80).

[0041] In operation, movable air control gates (20 & 22) are positioned through mechanical means which are in turn controlled through manual, electromechanical, pneumatic, or other means and are represented by (A & B) in the drawings to position the gates (20 & 22) to allow either air from outside the building or air from inside the building to be directed to the furnace combustion burner, while in cooperation, air from outside the building can be blocked or allowed to enter the building through second manifold (12). It should be noted that control means (A & B) could operate air gates (20 & 22) independently or in coordination with each other to optimize air transfer while also being designed to prevent inclusion of exterior air into the building when the heating system is not in operation.

[0042] In a preferred but not limiting embodiment, a user may operate a physical or electronic switch, possibly incorporated into the thermostat located within the living quarters of the building, which will send a signal to the control mechanisms represented as (A & B) which operate the movable air control gates (20 & 22) located within the manifolds (10 & 12). The switch could have positions which represent fresh which would open the manifolds to allow all or a variable amount of exterior air into the building through the cold air return, or recirculate which would have the effect of recycling the interior air and wherein no exterior air is added to the interior of the building. The action of switching the direction of the air flows may be manually chosen or it could be automatically controlled, possibly based on humidity level, barometric pressure, or could be time sensitive to position the manifolds (20 & 22) to allow inclusion of fresh air at selected time intervals or could be determined by other parameters. Settings which would allow variable amounts of fresh air into the building through the second manifold (12) without the operation of the first manifold (10) could also be incorporated without deviating from the scope of the invention.