GB2167177A

GB2167177A - Wall ventilator and cavity wall ventilation system

Info

Publication number: GB2167177A
Application number: GB08521188A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Frederick Gibson; David Bottomore
Original assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Priority date: 1984-08-25
Filing date: 1985-08-23
Publication date: 1986-05-21
Also published as: GB2176277B; GB2176277A; GB8521189D0; GB8521188D0; DE3530016A1; GB2167177B

Abstract

The wall ventilator comprises a hollow ventilating member through which air can flow, and a plurality of baffles 8 disposed within the ventilating member and adapted to alter the direction of air flow through the ventilating member. The baffles are arranged to divide the air flow within the ventilating member into a plurality of ventilation paths, so that air cannot flow through the ventilating member without flowing through one of the ventilating paths. A cavity wall ventilation system is also described and comprises outer and inner walls having a wall ventilator disposed in at least one of the walls. A ventilating duct, attached to the ventilator, provides an air flow from the outer wall to the inner wall. The baffles separate entrained dust and water from the air. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wall ventilator and cavity wall ventilation system This invention relates to a wall ventilator and to a cavity wall ventilation system.

Examples of existing wall ventilators can be found in United Kingdom Patent Application Nos. 554,635, 795,315, 921,700, 1,255,146, and 1,274,881.

In the design of wall ventilators there are conflicting objectives. The ventilator must provide maximum possible air flow, and at the same time must be resistant to the effects of the weather.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wall ventilator.

According the present invention there is provided a wall ventilator comprising a hollow ventilating member through which air can flow, and a plurality of baffles disposed within the ventilating member and adapted to alter the direction of air flow through the ventilating member, said baffles being arranged to divide the air flow within the ventilating member into a plurality of ventilation paths, so that air cannot flow through the ventilating member without flowing through one of the ventilation paths.

It will be appreciated that air can flow in either direction through said air flow channels.

Desirably the ventilating member is provided with first and second faces each having at least one aperture to permit the flow of air into and out of the ventilating member. The ventilating member may also be provided with upper and lower faces, and two side faces, and may be of generally cuboid shape.

In use, the ventilator can be arranged in a course of a wall structure in the place of a brick, so that each side face is adjacent to a brick on the same course as the ventilator: the upper face underlies the bricks of a higher course, and the lower face overlies the bricks of a lower course.

Advantageously, the baffles are juxtaposed between the first and second faces of the ventilator, so that each ventilation path is arranged between adjacent baffles.

Advantageously also each baffle is arranged at a level intermediate the level of the adjacent baffles on each side. This provides an increase in the level of the baffles from one face of the ventilator to the other. This arrangement provides superior ventilation properties than has previously been possible in wall ventilators. The arrangement provides an optimum balance between the conflicting requirements of maximising air flow and minimising the ingress of moisture. Desirably the level of the baffles increases with increasing distance from the second face.

Each baffle may be of generally elongate shape and is preferably disposed within the ventilating member so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the first, second, upper and lower faces. Each baffle may extend between and be secured to the side faces.

The baffles may be equispaced, and are preferably arranged in a row extending from the first to the second face.

Preferably the distance of each baffle from the upper face increases proportionally to the distance from the first face.

Preferably the or each aperture of the first face is provided with louvres, and more preferably with two louvres. Preferably the louvres are inclined at an angle between 45" and 70" to the first face. Most preferably the louvres are inclined at an angle of 60 to the first face.

Desirably the lower face is sloped so that water falling upon it can run out of the ventilator under the influence of gravity. The slope of the lower face may be such that, in use, the lower face is at an angle of 6" to the horizontal.

The baffles may be provided with strengthening ribs extending substantially transverse to said baffles, and connected to each baffle.

If desired a mesh can be connected across the air flow channels so that air cannot flow through the ventilating member without flowing through the mesh.

The ventilator may be adapted to permit a ventilating duct to be secured thereto. To this end the second face of the ventilator can be provided with a recess to receive the duct.

The duct may, for example, provide a ventilation path through a cavity of a cavity wall structure.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cavity wall ventilation system comprising an inner and outer wall having a cavity therebetween, a ventilator as described above disposed in at least one of said walls, and a ventilating duct rigid with the ventilator, said duct providing an air flow path from the outer wall to the inner wall.

Advantageously the length of the duct is adjustable.

Preferably the ventilating duct comprises first and second hollow members. One hollow member may be arranged to communicate with one of the wall ventilators, and the other hollow member may be arranged to communicate with another of said wall ventilators. Preferably both hollow members are substantially L-shaped.

Desirably the L-shaped members are dimensioned so that an arm of one L-shaped member can fit within an arm of the other Lshaped member. The arms are preferably movable relative to one another so that the length of the duct can be extended or shortened.

If desired, the first and/or second hollow member may be provided with a grille having a plurality of apertures which is dimensioned so that it can fit in the duct, in order to help to prevent the ingress of vermin and large insects.

The ventilation duct may include a removable hollow extension member. One end of the extension member may communicate with the first hollow member, and the other end of the extension member may communicate with the second hollow member. This enables the length by which the duct can be adjusted to be increased.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of part of a wall ventilator according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of part of a wall ventilator according to the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wall ventilator according to the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the ventilator illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, shown in a wall structure; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cavity wall ventilation system in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cavity wall ventilation system in accordance with the invention; Figures 7 to 9 are elevations of a ventilation duct for use in the cavity wall ventilation system; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of an extension member for use with the duct shown in Figures 7 to 9.

Figures 1 to 3 show a wall ventilator generally designated 1 comprising a hollow ventilating member la through which air can flow. In Figures 1 and 2 one end of the ventilator 1 has been cut away for increased clarity.

The ventilating member 1 a comprises an upper face 2, a lower face 3, a first or front face 4, a second or rear face 5, and side faces 6 and 7.

Baffle means in the form of a plurality of baffles 8 is arranged within the ventilating member 1 a, and a ventilation path 9 is defined between each baffle. The baffles 8 are juxtaposed between the first and second faces of the ventilator.

The front face is provided with three apertures 10 (see Figure 4) and each aperture 10 is divided into three sections by louvres 11.

The rear face 5 is provided with three apertures 12 (see Figure 5).

Each baffle 8 comprises an elongate strip connected between side faces 6 and 7.

The baffles 8 are arranged in equi-spaced intervals between the front face 4 and the rear face 5, and their longitudinal axes are parallel to the front face 4, the rear face 5, the upper face 2 and the lower face 3.

Each baffle 8 is arranged so that air passing through the ventilating member 1 a can flow both underneath or over the top of each baffle, as shown by arrows A in Figure 3.

Furthermore, the baffle members 8 are arranged at a different distance from the upper and lower faces 2 and 3. The distance from the upper face 2 increases proportionally with the distance from the front face 4. Each baffle 8 is arranged at a level intermediate the level of the adjacent baffles on each side.

The baffles 8 are provided with strengthening ribs 13 which are arranged substantially transverse to the baffles, and which are connected to each baffle.

In Figure 4 the ventilator 1 is shown arranged in a wall structure 14. The wall structure includes a course 15, and the ventilator 1 is arranged between two bricks 16 and 17 of the course 15 so that the side face 6 is adjacent the brick 16 and the side face 7 is adjacent the brick 17.

The wall structure 14 also includes a lower course 18 which underlies the lower face 3, and an upper course (not shown) which overlies the upper face 2.

In Figure 5 a cavity wall ventilation system is shown including a cavity wall structure having an outer wall 19 and an inner wall 20. A ventilating duct 21 is shown extending between the outer wall 19 and the inner wall 20.

The ventilating duct 21 comprises two hollow substantially L-shaped members 22 and 23. Each L-shaped member 22 and 23 comprises arms 22a and 22b, and 23a and 23b respectively. The arm 22a of the L-shaped member 22 communicates with the rear face 5 of one of said ventilators 1 arranged in the outer leaf 19.

The arms 22b and 23b of the L-shaped members 22 and 23 are dimensioned so that the arm 23b can fit inside the arm 22b. The dimensions are such that the arms 22b and 23b are a close enough fit to prevent moisture either escaping from or entering the duct between the arms 22b and 23b. The arms 22b and 23b can slide relative to one another so that the length of the ventilating duct 21 can be extended or shortened in order to cope with varying requirements.

The duct 21 is provided with a vermin grille 24 having a plurality of apertures 25 therein.

The grille 24 is fitted in the end of the arm 23a, which projects into the inner leaf 20.

The grille 24 helps to prevent the ingress of vermin and large insects.

In Figure 5 the ventilator 1 is shown provided with a formation 26 projecting outwardly from the upper surface 2 and the side surfaces 6 and 7 (this is not shown in Figures 1 to 3). The formation 26 acts as a locating member for the ventilating duct 21 and is adapted to abut against the arm 22a of the Lshaped member 22.

A typical air flow path through the ventilator 1 is designated by arrows B in Figures 1 and 2, and it will be appreciated that the direction of these arrows could be reversed.

Air flows through the apertures 10 in the front face 2, through the ventilation paths 9, and then out through the apertures 12 of the rear face 3. If a ventilating duct 21 is provided then the air would flow from the rear face 5 into the ventilating duct, through the Lshaped members 22 and 23 of the ventilating duct, and through the vermin grille 24.

The baffles 8 cause turbulance in the air flow which helps to separate entrained dust and water from the air flow. This dust and water falls to the lower face 2 and runs out of the ventilator 1 under the influence of gravity.

The provision of baffles arranged so that air can flow both over the top and underneath each baffle increases the turbulance still further, and hence increases the effectiveness of separation.

In Figure 6 a cavity wall structure comprises an outer wall 50 and an inner wall 51 defining a cavity 52 therebetween. One of said wall ventilators 1 is provided in the outer wall 50 and communicates with an L-shaped member 53 of a ventilating duct 54.

The ventilating duct 54 comprises the Lshaped member 53 and a further L-shaped member 55 which can slide within the Lshaped member 53 in order to alter the length of the duct 54. The L-shaped member 55 communicates with the inner wall 51 of the cavity wall structure.

The cavity wall structure forms part of a building, and outside the building is disposed a concrete floor 56. Within the building there is disposed floor board or chip board 57 on screed 58. The floor board or chip board 57 and the screed 58 engage the inner wall 51.

The screed is disposed upon a lightweight block 59, and beams 60 run transverse to the inner wall 51.

Damp proof courses 61 are provided in the inner and outer walls 50 and 51.

A cavity tray 62 is provided above the duct 54 and is dimensioned so that it extends over the top of the duct 54. The cavity tray 62 is preferably slightly larger than the width of the duct 54.

The L-shaped member 55 of the duct 54 is provided with a vermin grille (not shown) similar to the vermin grille 24 provided on the duct 21 shown in Figure 5.

The cavity wall ventilation system shown in Figure 6 provides ventilation from an external environment to a region underneath the floor of a building.

Figures 7 to 10 show schematically a ventilation duct 70 having a hollow extension member 71.

The duct 70 comprises two substantially Lshaped members 72 and 73. The L-shaped member 72 has portions 72a and 72b while the L-shaped member 73 has portions 73a and 73b. The portions 72a and 72b extend substantially transverse to one another, and the portions 73a and 73b extend substantially transverse to one another.

The extension member 71 comprises two coaxial portions 71 a and 71 b. As shown in Figures 7 to 9 the portion 71 a is a close fit within the portion 73b and the portion 72a.

The portion 71b is a close fit outside the portion 72b and the portion 73a. In addition, as shown in Figure 8 the portion 73b is a close fit outside the portion 72b.

This arrangement enables the length of the duct 70 to be varied in a number of ways.

As shown in Figure 7 the duct can be arranged between the portions 72 and 73 so that the height of the duct 70 can be varied.

As shown in Figure 8 the duct 70 can be slid over the portion 73a so that the length of the portion 73a can be varied. And as shown in Figure 9 the duct 70 can be slid within the portion 72a so that the length of the portion 72a can be varied.

The vermin grille may be removable from the duct. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9 the vermin grille may be removed from the portion 72a and inserted in the portion 71b of the extension member 71.

Claims

1. A wall ventilator comprising a hollow ventilating member through which air can flow, and a plurality of baffles disposed within the ventilating member and the adapted to alter the direction of air flow through the ventilating member, said baffles being arranged to divide the air flow within the ventilating member into a plurality of ventilation paths, so that air cannot flow through the ventilating member without flowing through one of the ventilating paths.

2. A wall ventilator according to Claim 1 in which the ventilating member is provided with first and second opposing faces each having at least one aperture to permit the flow of air into and out of the ventilating member.

3. A wall ventilator according to Claim 2 in which the baffles are juxtaposed between the first and second faces of the ventilator, so that each ventilating path is arranged between adjacent baffles.

4. A wall ventilator according to Claim 2 or 3 in which the baffles are arranged in a row extending from the first face to the second face.

5. A wall ventilator according to any preceding claim in which each baffle is arranged at a level intermediate the level of the adjacent baffle on each side.

6. A wall ventilator according to any preceding claim in which the baffles are equispaced.

7. A wall ventilator according to any preceding claim in which the distance of the baffle members from a lower face of the ventilating member increases proportionally to the distance of the baffle member from the first face.

8. A wall ventilator according to any preceding claim in which the baffles are provided with strengthening ribs extending substantially transverse thereto.

9. A wall ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein the ventilating member is adapted to permit a ventilating duct to be secured thereto.

10. A wall ventilator according to Claim 9 in which the ventilating member is provided with a recess to receive the ventilating duct.

11. A cavity wall ventilation system comprising inner and outer walls having a cavity therebetween, a wall ventilator according to any preceding claims disposed in at least one of said walls, and a ventilating duct rigid with the ventilator, said duct providing an air flow path from the outer wall to the inner wall.

12. A cavity wall ventilation system according to Claim 11 in which the length of the duct is adjustable.

13. A cavity wall ventilation system according to Claim 11 or 12 in which the ventilating duct comprises first and second hollow members, said first and second hollow members being adapted to slide relative to one another and being a close fit with one another to enable the length of the duct to be adjusted.

14. A cavity wall ventilation system according to Claim 11, 12 or 13 in which one of said first and second hollow members is provided with a grille to restrict the ingress of vermin and insects.

15. A cavity wall ventilation system according to any of Claims 11 to 14 in which the ventilation duct includes the removable hollow extension member.

16. A cavity wall ventilation system according to Claim 15 in which the hollow extension member may communicate with the first hollow member and/or the second hollow member in order to permit the length of the duct to be adjusted.

17. A wall ventilator substantially as herein decribed with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A cavity wall ventilation system sub stantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.