Abstract:
The present invention, accordingly, provides a fresh air recovery system preferably including at least one intake opening in a first wall defining a portion of an enclosed space allowing air on an exterior side of the first wall to pass through the first wall into the enclosed space; and at least one exhaust opening in a second wall defining a portion of the enclosed space allowing air on an interior side of the second wall to pass through the second wall into an ambient environment external to the enclosed space.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/368,866, filed Jul. 29, 2010, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the air quality of an enclosed space and, more particularly, to a system for introducing fresh air into an enclosed space, particularly a building or home. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Over the past forty years, the construction industry in the United States focused its efforts on improving occupant comfort in a finished building. A key way to increase occupant comfort involved the introduction of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (hereinafter “HVAC”) equipment on a large scale. This equipment allowed occupants to control the interior environment of the building so that the occupant could keep the interior building temperature in a range the occupant considered comfortable. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, this HVAC equipment increased energy consumption, which in turn increased the cost to own and operate the building. As a result, the construction industry and the HVAC industry began to research the causes behind the large energy consumption of HVAC equipment. The industries discovered that construction standards at the time allowed for air outside the building to seep into the building and conditioned air inside the building to seep out of the building. This seepage, or air exchange, necessitated that the HVAC equipment operate more frequently to keep the interior building temperature in the desired range. Increased operation meant increased energy consumption and increased costs to the building owner/occupant. To combat this, the construction industry has developed methods and practices during the last forty years to decrease the amount of air exchange, in effect the construction industry has developed methods to better seal buildings and decrease the amount of outside air seeping into the interior space. 
         [0005]    A second cause for increased energy consumption related to the HVAC equipment itself. When first introduced, HVAC equipment drew air exclusively from the area outside of the building. The HVAC equipment would then cool or heat the air prior to exhausting the treated air into the interior building environment. The HVAC industry discovered that if the HVAC equipment instead drew air from the interior space, it required less energy to heat or cool the air to the desired temperature, thus reducing costs to building owner/occupant. Presently, HVAC equipment draws air almost exclusively from the interior building space, virtually eliminating the amount of non-recycled air introduced into the building&#39;s interior. 
         [0006]    During the time period that buildings became better sealed and HVAC equipment more efficient, the United States has seen a significant increase in the incidence of obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer&#39;s, asthma, and birth defects, such as autism, as well as lower energy levels among the populace. This can be traced at least in part to exposure to decreased oxygen levels. In a sealed environment, occupants within the space are breathing air that has already been processed through the occupant&#39;s body. Thus, with each breath, the occupant in a sealed environment is reducing the amount of available oxygen. A reduction in available oxygen can lead to a decrease in body functions, causing the body to burn fewer calories and store more fat. Similarly, the reduction in the amount of available oxygen is known to exacerbate the symptoms of those suffering from mental illness and increase the instances of asthma. In addition, a reduction in available oxygen can cause mutations in a child&#39;s in utero development leading to conditions like autism. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be desirable for a system to increase the amount of available oxygen in a building environment, thus helping to reduce obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer&#39;s, asthma and the risk of potential birth defects, alleviate the symptoms of mental illness, and increase energy levels of occupants of buildings, without reducing the efficiency of an HVAC system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention, accordingly, provides a Fresh Air Recovery System comprising an intake opening in a first wall defining a portion of an enclosed space allowing air on an exterior side of the first wall to pass through the first wall into the enclosed space; and an exhaust opening in a second wall defining a portion of the enclosed space allowing air on an interior side of the second wall to pass through the second wall into an ambient environment. 
         [0009]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  exemplifies a perspective view of a building embodying features of the fresh air recovery system of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of the building of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an elevation view of the building of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  exemplifies a perspective view of an alternative building embodying features of the fresh air recovery system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning basic building construction and materials and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a fresh air recovery system  10  having an exemplified by a building  100  defining an enclosed space  200 . The building  100  comprises at least a first wall  101 , a second wall  102 , a third wall  103 , a fourth wall  104 , a floor  105 , and a ceiling  106 , each defining a portion of the outer boundaries of the building  100 . The enclosed space  200  comprises a volume of air that is sealed from a volume of air existing outside of the enclosed space  200 . In the embodiment exemplified, air cannot pass between the enclosed space  200  and a space outside of the building  100 . As used herein, the term “sealed” implies a negligible (possibly zero) rate of air transfer across the outer boundaries of the building  100  such that an entity placed within the enclosed space  200  that relies upon oxygen respiration to survive will deplete the available amount of oxygen in the air contained within the volume of the enclosed space over time. 
         [0017]    In accordance with principles of the present invention, the building  100  preferably includes a first opening  301  and a second opening  302  strategically positioned to facilitate maximum air flow through the entire space  200 . By way of example, and as exemplified in  FIG. 1 , the first wall  101  further defines a first opening  301  preferably located proximate to the ceiling  106  and the third wall  103 . The second wall  102  further defines a second opening  302  preferably located proximate to the floor  105  and the fourth wall  104 . An electronically controlled vent  311 , preferably having varying states of being open between completely open and completely closed, fits within the first wall opening  301  such that movement of the vanes of the vent  311  may alternatively allow more or less air to pass through the first wall opening  301  between the area outside the building  100  and the enclosed space  200 . Similarly, an exhaust fan  312  fits within the second wall opening  302  such that operation of the exhaust fan  312  alternatively increases and decreases the volume of air passing from the enclosed space  200  to the area outside of the building  100 . The fan  312  is preferably configured to be operable at a variable speed. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the locations of the first wall opening  301  and the second wall opening  302  may vary in order to maximize the air flow rate between the enclosed space  200  and the area outside the building  100 . 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, an electronic controller  300  is coupled to the vent  311  via electrical wires  304  and to the exhaust fan  312  via electrical wires  304  for controlling operation of each. The controller  300  is preferably configured for manual operation and/or automated operation utilizing a timer (preferably integrated into the controller), an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, humidity sensor, and/or an air pressure sensor. The oxygen sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, humidity sensor, and/or air pressure sensor are preferably positioned both the interior and exterior of the building  100 , preferably proximate to the vent  311  and/or wherever people generally reside or sleep, and are coupled to the controller  300  via wires  308 . The sensors positioned on the interior of the building  100  are designated collectively by the reference numeral  320 , and the sensors positioned on the exterior of the building  100  are designated collectively by the reference numeral  322 . While it is preferred that both interior and exterior sensors be used, the system is operable with only interior sensors, or even no sensors, and as discussed below, is operable manually. 
         [0019]    In a first preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  are manually controlled via the controller  300 , necessitating that the operation of each device occur at the initiation of manual action. In a second preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  are electronically controlled by the timer coupled to the controller  300  that initiates the operation of the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  at timed intervals throughout a 24-hour period. 
         [0020]    In a third preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  are electronically controlled by the oxygen sensors  320  and  322  coupled to the controller  300  that initiates operation, to the degree necessary, of the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  when the interior oxygen sensor  320  reads less than a preset level of oxygen within the volume of space where the oxygen sensor  320  is placed, and the exterior oxygen sensor  322 , if there is one, reads a higher level of oxygen. 
         [0021]    In a fourth preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  are electronically controlled by the carbon dioxide sensors  320  and  322  coupled to the controller  300  that initiates operation, to the degree necessary, of the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  when the interior carbon dioxide sensor  320  reads more than a preset level of carbon dioxide within the volume of space where the carbon dioxide sensor is placed, and the exterior carbon dioxide sensor  322 , if there is one, reads a lower level of carbon dioxide. 
         [0022]    In a fifth preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  are electronically controlled by the humidity sensors  320  and  322  coupled to the controller  300  that initiates operation, to the degree necessary, of the exhaust fan  312  and of the vent  311  when the interior humidity sensors sensor  320  reads more than a preset level of humidity within the volume of space where the carbon dioxide sensor is placed, and the exterior humidity sensor  322 , if there is one, reads a lower level of humidity. 
         [0023]    In a sixth preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  are electronically controlled by the air pressure sensors  320  and  322  coupled to the controller  300  that initiates opening to the degree necessary of the vent  311  ( 1 ) to decrease air pressure when the interior air pressure is high and exterior air pressure is low, or (2) to increase air pressure if interior air pressure is low and exterior air pressure is high. Alternatively, if both interior and exterior air pressure are high, then the exhaust fan  312  may be activated to pass air from the interior to the exterior. If both interior and exterior air pressure are low, then the exhaust fan  312  may be activated in reverse to pass air from the exterior to the interior. The air pressure sensors  320  and  322  may be used in conjunction with other methods described herein to, for example, close a vent  311  before or after powering off a fan  312  as needed to maintain air pressure. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the means for controlling the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  may alternatively use any of the above means in combination with one another such that the overall system operates as described below. 
         [0024]    When operation is desired, e.g., a manual determination to operate the fresh air recovery system  10  is reached, a preset oxygen level is reached, a preset carbon dioxide level is reached, a preset time occurs, and/or a preset air pressure is reached, as discussed above, the vent  311  is activated so that outside air (i.e., air outside the building  100 ) may freely flow into the enclosed space  200 . In addition, the exhaust fan  312  is operated, preferably synchronously with the vent  311 , to draw air within the enclosed space  200  into the area exterior to the building  100 . Alternatively, operation of the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  may reverse the air flow, drawing outside air into the enclosed space  200  through the exhaust fan  312  and exhausting air through the vent  311 . Operation of the exhaust fan  312  and the vent  311  continues until the air within the enclosed space  200  is sufficiently exchanged with air outside the enclosed space  200 , e.g., a manual determination is made to cease operation, a preset oxygen level is reached, a preset carbon dioxide level is reached, and/or a preset time occurs. If the building  100  is equipped with HVAC, then the HVAC is preferably powered off while the vent  311  and fan  312  are operating. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the invention in which building  400  comprises multiple rooms, exemplified as two rooms  410  and  412 . As shown, the building  400  is preferably provided with one fan  312 , but each room  410  and  412  is preferably provided with a respective vent  311  and  411 . The vent  311  is preferably provided with an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, humidity sensor, and/or an air pressure sensor, collectively designated with the reference numeral  320  for interior (of room  410 ) sensors, and collectively designated with the reference numeral  322  for exterior (of room  410 ) sensors, as described above. Similarly, the vent  411  is preferably provided with an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, humidity sensor, and/or an air pressure sensor, collectively designated with the reference numeral  420  for interior (of room  410 ) sensors, and collectively designated with the reference numeral  422  for exterior (of room  410 ) sensors, as described above. The fan  312  and vents  311  and  411  are controlled by the controller  300  manually or automatically from the respective sensors  320 ,  322  for vent  311 , and sensors  420  and  422  for vent  411 . Similarly as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . A door  414  between the rooms allows for air to flow between the rooms. The door  414  may optionally have a raised lower edge to allow air flow even when the door is closed. In operation, the controller  300  runs the fan  312  while each vent  311  and  411  is sequentially opened and then closed, so that only one vent  311  or  411  is open at a time. In larger buildings, multiple fans  312  may be employed. 
         [0026]    In further alternative embodiments, additional walls may exist within the enclosed space  200  defined by the outer boundaries of the building  100 . In these instances, additional openings may be placed within the interior walls to allow for free passage of air throughout the enclosed space  200 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that the first wall opening  301  and the second wall opening  302  may include filters and other media to inhibit the movement of undesired objects and allergens from passing into the enclosed space  200 . In addition, other embodiments may include multiple exhaust fans  312  and/or multiple vents  311  as needed to efficiently exchange air within the enclosed space for air outside the enclosed space. Still further, the fresh air recovery system of the present invention may be integrated into an otherwise conventional system that has ventilation already installed within the building  100 . Still further, the one or multiple exhaust fans  312  and one or multiple vents  311  may be electronically coupled via the wires  304  and  306 , or other means, such as a wireless connection, low voltage connection, or the like, so that, should other controls fail, operation of the one or multiple exhaust fans  312  is always synchronized with operation of the one or multiple exhaust fans  312 , so that relatively constant air pressure within the space  200  is maintained, the air pressure preferably being sensed by an air pressure sensor coupled with the controller  300 . 
         [0027]    It may be appreciated that by implementing the present invention, many advantages over the conventional art is obtained. For example, the amount of available oxygen in a building environment is increased, thus helping to reduce obesity, diabetes, asthma, the risk of potential birth defects, and Alzheimer&#39;s, increase occupant energy levels, and alleviate the symptoms of mental illness. Moving a relatively large quantity of air through a building relatively quickly over a short period of time is much more efficient than having air slowly leaking in continuously through, e.g., cracks in window seals. 
         [0028]    Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.