Radiant Barrier Ventilation System

Abstract

This invention relates to a system of ventilating a residential or light commercial structure with lightweight, easy to install radiant barriers that reflect external sunlight heat away from the structure, reflect heat produced within the structure to maintain internal warmth, and contain internal air ventilation space to prevent condensation.

Claims

1. An improved insulation ventilation system for a roof structure comprising: a load bearing roof frame with a plurality of roof rafters; a plurality of radiant barriers, wherein each radiant barrier comprises a first surface, a second surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a plurality of fold lines, further wherein the fold lines produce a corrugated first and second surfaces for each radiant barrier with a plurality of adjacent oppositely pointing apexes on the first surface and the second surface; a plurality of air holes between each of the fold lines; a heat reflective material on the first surface and the second surface of each radiant barrier; wherein the plurality of radiant barriers is attached between each roof rafter with the first surface facing upwards and the second surface facing inwards to form at least one layer; wherein the first surfaces of the plurality of radiant barriers substantially reflects radiant heat, and the second surfaces of the plurality of radiant barriers substantially reflects radiant heat; and the corrugated surfaces and the air holes for the barriers produce convective air flow the plurality of radiant barriers that removes hot air and moisture from the radiant barriers.

2. The insulation ventilation system for a roof structure of claim 1, wherein the roof bearing frame is made out of at least one of a group of materials consisting of solid wood, timber materials, engineered wood products, wood composite materials, steel and aluminum.

3. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein angle of each oppositely pointing apexes comprises an angle of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.

4. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radiant barriers is attached to form two overlapping substantially parallel layers between the plurality of roof rafters.

5. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein the edges of the plurality of radiant barriers are attached to form overlapping substantially parallel edges.

6. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein each radiant barrier is expandable from 5 inches to 30 inches.

7. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein the heat reflective substantially flat material comprises substantially fireproof Mylar sheet.

8. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein the heat reflective substantially flat material comprises substantially fireproof aluminum sheet.

9. The insulation ventilation system for the roof structure of claim 1, wherein the radiant barriers comprise a foam board core.

10. An improved insulation ventilation system for a wall structure comprising: a load bearing wall frame with a plurality of vertical members; a plurality of substantially flat radiant barriers, wherein each radiant barrier comprises a substantially rectangular shape, a first surface, a second surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines, further wherein the fold lines produce an accordion cross-section shape for the barrier with a plurality of adjacent oppositely pointing apexes on the first surface and the second surface; a plurality of substantially parallel air holes between each of the fold lines; a heat reflective substantially flat material on the first surface and the second surface; wherein the plurality of radiant barriers is attached on one of the edges to the plurality of vertical members with the first surface facing outwards and the second surface facing inwards, further wherein the plurality of radiant barriers are attached to each other along the edges to form at least one layer between the plurality of vertical members; wherein the first surfaces of the attached plurality of radiant barriers substantially reflects radiant heat from external sunlight, and the second surfaces of the attached plurality of radiant barriers substantially reflects radiant heat from internal structure heat; and the accordion cross-section shape for the barriers produces air space on the first and second surfaces of the attached plurality of radiant barriers.

11. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein the wall frame is made out of at least one of a group of materials consisting of solid wood, timber materials, engineered wood products, wood composite materials, steel and aluminum.

12. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein angle of each oppositely pointing apexes comprises an angle of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.

13. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein the plurality of radiant barriers is attached to form two overlapping substantially parallel layers between the plurality of vertical members.

14. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein the edges of the plurality of radiant barriers are attached to form overlapping substantially parallel edges.

15. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein each radiant barrier is expandable from 5 inches to 30 inches.

16. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein the heat reflective substantially flat material comprises substantially fireproof Mylar sheet.

17. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein the heat reflective substantially flat material comprises substantially fireproof aluminum sheet.

18. The insulation ventilation system for the wall structure of claim 10, wherein the radiant barriers comprise a foam board core.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of an improved toddler gate, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a radiant ventilation barrier for a ventilation system.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the radiant ventilation barrier.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the radiant ventilation barrier.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a right side view of the radiant ventilation barrier.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the radiant ventilation barrier.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the radiant ventilation barrier.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric top view of multiple radiant ventilation barriers inserted between roof rafters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the subject invention discloses a system of lightweight, radiant barriers 1 for installation into roof rafters 2 and walls of a residential home or light commercial building.

[0047] Each radiant barrier 1 comprises a substantially flat rectangular or square base 3 with a first surface 4, a second surface 5, a top edge 6, a bottom edge 7, a side edge 8, a side edge 9, and multiple substantially parallel fold lines 10 to produce an accordion like cross-section 11 with a plurality of adjacent oppositely pointing apexes 12 on each surface 4 and 5, with a plurality of substantially flat parallel rectangular top surfaces 13, and a plurality of substantially flat parallel rectangular bottom surfaces 14. The base 3 is collapsible along the fold lines 10. The radiant barriers 1 have very little volume when collapsed and can be stored and transported in this condition.

[0048] The base 3 comprises a foam board core 15, which prevents deterioration. The core 11 may vary in thickness from 1/32 inch to 1 inch.

[0049] Each surface 4 and 5 is covered with a substantially fireproof thin and flexible metal leaves, such as Mylar sheet or aluminum metal sheets to reflect radiant heat. Surface 4 faces upward from the roof rafters, or outward in the walls, during installation to reflect radiant heat from external sunlight to prevent heat conduction from the roof. This prevents the building from overheating due to external radiant energy from sunlight. Surface 5 faces downward from the roof rafters, or inward in the walls, during installation to reflect radiant heat from into the house for winter heating. This maintains the internal warmth generated within the building.

[0050] The radiant barrier's 1 accordion like cross-section 11 creates air space on both surfaces 4 and 5 between all apexes 12. The air space between the roof and the surface 4 helps reflect radiant heat energy. During colder seasons, the air space between the roof and the surface 5 provides ventilation to prevent condensation. The base 3 further comprises a plurality of traversing air holes 16 on the plurality of substantially flat rectangular top surfaces 13, and a plurality of substantially flat rectangular bottom surfaces 14. These air holes 16 permit air flow between surfaces 4 and 5 to allow moisture to escape, preventing heat condensation on the base 3 and the roof rafters 2.

[0051] The radiant barrier 1 is easy to install by attaching it directly onto roof rafters 2, without the need to create air gaps during installation. The radiant barrier 1 can be installed on roof rafters 2 and attached in substantially parallel positions between side edges 8 and 9, or attached between top and bottom edges 6 and 7. During installation, the radiant barrier 1 surfaces 4 and 5 can overlap in substantially parallel, overlying positions along edges 6, 7, 8, or 9, and can be stacked in substantially parallel, overlying positions to permit a good fit between rafters 2. The width of the base 3 may vary to fit a standard 16 center roof rafter, or expanded to fit unique or uneven roof rafter widths. The angle of each apex 12 may vary from 0 degrees to 180 degrees depending on the expansion of the radiant barrier during installation. During installation, there is no need to prepare additional air gaps, as the radiant barrier 1 structure has the air gaps built-in.

[0052] The radiant barrier 1 may also be installed within wall structures without the need to create air gaps during installation. As with the roof rafters, the radiant barrier 1 can be installed within a wall frame in substantially parallel positions between side edges 8 and 9, or attached between top and bottom edges 6 and 7. During installation, the radiant barrier 1 surfaces 4 and 5 can overlap in substantially parallel, overlying positions along edges 6, 7, 8, or 9, and can be stacked in substantially parallel, overlying positions to permit a good fit between wall frames. The angle of each apex 12 may vary from 0 degrees to 180 degrees depending on the expansion of the radiant barrier during installation. During installation, there is no need to prepare additional air gaps, as the radiant barrier 1 structure has the air gaps built-in.

[0053] Surface 4 faces outward in the walls, during installation, to reflect radiant heat from external sunlight to prevent heat conduction from the wall siding. This prevents the building from overheating due to external radiant energy from sunlight. Surface 5 faces inward in the walls, during installation, to reflect radiant heat from into the house for winter heating. This will allow the house to breath, prevent wall insulation from overheating in the warner environments, and require less active cooling from air conditioner systems. In colder seasons, the radiant barrier 1 reflects the radiant heat from the house back into the building. This will help reduce active heating from furnaces.

[0054] The many aspects and benefits of the invention are apparent from the detailed description, and thus, it is intended for the following claims to cover such aspects and benefits of the invention, which fall within the scope, and spirit of the invention. In addition, because numerous modifications and variations will be obvious and readily occur to those skilled in the art, the claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents should be understood to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed herein.