Patent Publication Number: US-7584777-B2

Title: Panel assemblies for variable shading and ventilation

Description:
This application claims priority of Ser. No. 60/789,248, filed Apr. 5, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The façade plays a central role in determining a building&#39;s environmental performance, influencing how light, heat and air are exchanged with its surroundings. The environmental impact of a façade is based on two major factors; the first being basic material construction, and second the incorporation of operable elements such as windows, blinds, shades and shutters. 
   As part of a growing movement to develop sustainable buildings, a promising strategy is for buildings to actively adapt and respond to changing climatic conditions. In the context of the façade, this strategy may be implemented by motorizing operable façade elements, so that, for example, shades can extend and retract automatically. Sensors can take environmental data (i.e., temperature, light intensity and wind flow), and, utilizing computational intelligence, the building can optimize its environmental profile in a responsive manner. 
   This concept of a responsive façade has been termed “intelligent skin”, indicating the analogy with natural systems. 
   The promise of this concept has, however, been limited by the particular openable devices that are currently available. The basic designs for windows, blinds, shades and shutters were set many years ago. While well-suited for manual control, these devices have significant limitations regarding their capacity for smooth, continuous and efficient motorized control. 
   In order to justify the investment in developing truly responsive façades, operable elements need to be considered as part of an integrated package with structural, glazing and mechanical systems. To successfully implement this strategy, such devices need to be adapted according to a building&#39;s specific design. Presently available shading and ventilation systems have significant limitations in their ability to be customized. 
   For example, it is a significant challenge to design blinds that fit non-orthogonal openings. A second challenge is when a shading system must adapt to a non-vertical orientation. Other limits are encountered when designing operable ventilation systems which are often based on rotating louvers. 
   The aim of the invention disclosed herein is to overcome these limitations in an economic and elegant way. It offers a new method to make operable façade devices which provide a surface of controlled permeability, smoothly varying between a covered state and a largely opened state. 
   Like blinds or shades, these devices are capable of controlling solar gain. Additionally, the present invention may be fabricated with sufficient strength to act in a structural capacity, thus providing the capability to control air flow in a similar manner as operable louvers. 
   Unlike louvers whose elements rotate to a position that is orthogonal to the surface of the façade, the elements in the disclosed invention move laterally. The invention may be thus termed “laminar cladding”, indicating the organized layers of smooth laminar flow. 
   The benefits of this lateral control are two-fold: a) laminar devices are visually integrated with façade surface, rather than appearing as an appliqué, and b) it is possible to achieve greater transparency in the retracted position relative to a covered area compared to louvers. 
   Further advantages to the disclosed invention are the ability to cover any shape opening, to be installed in any orientation, and the ability to define unique design patterns for shading panels. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A variable panel assembly is herein disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of panels and a plurality of links, wherein by rotating one or more links, the assembly shifts between a largely uncovered configuration to a covered configuration, where, in the first configuration, the panel profiles are essentially aligned, and in the second configuration, the panel profiles are offset relative to one another. Further disclosed herein are methods to control the movement of the assembly, both manual and motorized. 
   The assembly is comprised of a plurality of panels, each panel having at least two pivot connections which are further comprised of at least two links, each link having a plurality of pivot connections that are arranged in stepwise fashion such that each pivot connection on each link is pivotally attached to a pivot connection on each panel. When rotating one or more links, the assembly shifts between a first position and said second position. For said first position, the profiles of the panels are all aligned such that a significant area of the assembly is uncovered. For the second position, the profiles of the panels are offset relative to each other such that a significant area of the assembly is covered relative to the first position. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved panel assembly for both shading and ventilation. 
   Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a link  10  with five pivots; 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show elevation and perspective view respectively of link  10 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows a panel  30  with four openings and four pivot holes; 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of assembly  60  which is comprised of four links and five panels; 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of assembly  60  in an uncovered configuration; 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show perspective views of assembly  60  in partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11  show plan views of assembly  60  in covered, partially covered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  show sectional views of assembly  60 ; 
       FIG. 14  shows a plan view of assembly  60  with shapes  175 ,  176  and  177  shown revealing underlying geometric properties; 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show plan views of assembly  60  in partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations along with shapes that reveal underlying geometry; 
       FIG. 17  shows a panel  62  that has a parallelogram shape profile; 
       FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of assembly  240  which is parallelogram shaped, in an uncovered configuration; 
       FIGS. 19 ,  20  and  21  show sectional views of assembly  240 ; 
       FIGS. 22 ,  23  and  24  show plan views of assembly  240 ; 
       FIG. 25  shows a plan view of assembly  80  with planes  51  and  52  which indicate the profile of base panel  85 ; 
       FIG. 26  shows a plan view of assembly  90  which is based on assembly  80 , but where all of the panels have been trimmed along planes  51  and  52 ; 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  show plan views of assembly  90  in partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIG. 29  shows a perspective view of assembly  90  with cutting planes  51  and  52 ; 
       FIGS. 30 ,  31  and  32  show perspective views of assembly  90  in covered, partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIG. 33  shows an exploded view of assembly  100  with enclosing elements  97  and  98  as well as drive handle  99 ; 
       FIGS. 34 ,  35  and  36  show perspective views of assembly  100  in uncovered, partially covered and fully covered configurations respectively; 
       FIG. 37  shows an alternate configuration of assembly  100  with a motor; 
       FIG. 38  shows an exploded view of assembly  110  with “L-shaped” panels; 
       FIGS. 39 ,  40  and  41  show perspective views of assembly  110  in covered, partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIG. 42  is an exploded view of assembly  500 ; 
       FIGS. 43 ,  44  and  45  show perspective views of assembly  500 ; 
       FIGS. 46 ,  47  and  48  show plan views of triangular shaped assembly  200  in covered, partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIGS. 49 ,  50  and  51  show perspective views of triangular shaped assembly  200  in covered, partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIG. 52  shows an exploded view of assembly  300  with enclosing glass pieces; 
       FIGS. 53 ,  54  and  55  show perspective views of assembly  30 , which is enclosed between glass pieces, in covered, partially uncovered and fully uncovered configurations respectively; 
       FIG. 56  shows a plan view of panel  410  which has a perforation pattern based on traditional Islamic geometry; and 
       FIGS. 57 ,  58  and  59  show perspective views of assembly  400 , based on a traditional Islamic design, in uncovered, partially covered and fully covered configurations respectively. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a link  10  that is comprised of a base piece  11  and five pivots  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16 .  FIG. 2  shows an elevation view of link  10  where it may be observed that pivots  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  are arranged in stepwise fashion, each successive pivot lying on a level that is offset relative to its neighboring pivot.  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of link  10 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a plan view of a panel  30  having four openings or perforations  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34 . Additionally, panel  30  has four pivot holes  35 ,  36 ,  37  and  38 . 
     FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of panel assembly  60 , which is comprised of four links  10 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  and five panels  3 ,  40 ,  45 ,  50  and  55 , each of which has four openings and four pivots. Pivot  16  belonging to link  10  is aligned such that it may be connected to hole  38  belonging to panel  30 . Likewise, pivots  15 ,  14 ,  13  and  12  are aligned relative to holes  41 ,  46 ,  51 ,  56  respectively. 
   Links  20 ,  22  and  24  each have five pivots and are positioned relative to panels  30 ,  40 ,  45 ,  50  and  55 , each of which has four holes, such that pivots and holes are aligned in similar fashion to link  10 . 
     FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of panel assembly  60  wherein pivots  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  have been connected to holes  56 ,  51 ,  46 ,  41  and  38  respectively. Likewise the five pivots each of links  20 ,  22  and  24  have been connected to their aligned holes in panels  30 ,  40 ,  45 ,  50  and  55 . It may be seen that the five panels arranged in a stack such that their profiles are aligned, and openings  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34  are unobstructed. 
     FIG. 7  shows panel assembly  60  where links  10 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  have been rotated relative to the panels thereby creating offsets between them. This displacement causes openings  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34  to be partially covered. 
     FIG. 8  shows assembly  60  where links  10 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  have been further rotated such that openings  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34  are fully covered. 
     FIG. 9  shows a plan view of assembly  60  in a configuration where openings  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34  are unobstructed.  FIG. 10  shows a plan view of assembly  60  where links  10 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  have been rotated, thus partially covering openings  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34 .  FIG. 11  shows assembly  60  where links  10 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  have been fully rotated, thereby fully covering openings  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34 . 
     FIG. 12  shows a sectional view of assembly  60 , the particular section being indicated by line  170  shown in  FIG. 14 . Links  10  and  20  are shown as well as panels  30 ,  40 ,  45 ,  50  and  55 . Pivot  16  belonging to link  10  lies on the same level as pivot  156  belonging to link  20 . Similarly, pivot  14  lies on the same level as pivot  154 ; pivot  12  lies on the same level as pivot  152 . 
     FIG. 13  shows a sectional view of assembly  60  where the section is indicated by line  171  shown in  FIG. 14 . Pivot  166  belonging to link  22  lies on the same level as pivot  176  belonging to link  24 . Similarly, pivot  164  lies on the same level as pivot  174 ; pivot  162  lies on the same level as pivot  172 . 
   Further, pivots  16 ,  156 ,  166  and  176  all share a common level. Similarly, pivots  14 ,  154 ,  164  and  174  all share a common level. Similarly, pivots  12 ,  152 ,  162  and  172  all share a common level. 
     FIG. 14  shows a plan view of panel assembly  60 . Shape  175 , formed by connecting pivots  154 ,  164 ,  162  and  152 , is a parallelogram. Similarly shape  176 , formed by connecting pivots  16 ,  176 ,  172  and  12 , is a parallelogram. Similarly shape  177 , formed by connecting pivots  16 ,  166 ,  164  and  14 , is a parallelogram. Note that the sides of shapes  175 ,  176  and  177  that connect pivots belonging to different links, those connections are between pivots that share a common level. 
     FIG. 15  shows a plan view of assembly  60  in a second position. Shape  185  is formed similarly to shape  175 , that is by connecting pivots  154 ,  164 ,  162  and  152 . Shape  185  is a parallelogram. Shape  186  is formed similarly to shape  176  and is also a parallelogram. Shape  187  is formed similarly to shape  177  and is also a parallelogram. 
     FIG. 16  shows a plan view of assembly  60  in a third position. Shape  195  is formed similarly to shapes  175  and  185  and is a parallelogram. Shape  196  is formed similarly to shapes  176  and  186  and is also a parallelogram. Shape  197  is formed similarly to shapes  177  and  187  and is also a parallelogram. 
     FIG. 17  shows a plan view of panel  62  whose perimeter is parallelogram-shaped. Panel  62  has four openings  51 ,  52 ,  53  and  54  and also has six pivots  61 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69  and  71 . 
     FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of assembly  240  which is comprised of six panels  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  and six links  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77  and  78 . It may be seen that the six parallelogram-shaped panels are all aligned with one another so that the openings are unobstructed. 
     FIGS. 19 ,  20  and  21  show sectional views of assembly  240 . The section shown in  FIG. 19  is indicated by line  230  shown in  FIG. 22 . The section shown in  FIG. 20  is indicated by line  231  shown in  FIG. 22 . The section shown in  FIG. 21  is indicated by line  232  shown in  FIG. 22 . 
   Pivots  233 ,  236 ,  234 ,  237 ,  235  and  238  all share a common level. Similarly, pivots  243 ,  246 ,  244 ,  247 ,  245  and  248  all share a common level. 
     FIG. 22  shows a plan view of panel assembly  240 . Shape  261 , formed by connecting pivots  234 ,  235 ,  245  and  243 , is a parallelogram. Similarly shape  262 , formed by connecting pivots  236 ,  235 ,  245  and  246 , is a parallelogram. Similarly shape  263 , formed by connecting pivots  234 ,  238 ,  248  and  244 , is a parallelogram. Note that the sides of shapes  261 ,  262  and  263  that connect pivots belonging to different links, those connections are between pivots that share a common level. 
     FIG. 23  shows a plan view of assembly  240  in a second position. Shape  271  is formed similarly to shape  261 , that is by connecting pivots  234 ,  235 ,  245  and  243 . Shape  261  is a parallelogram. Shape  272  is formed similarly to shape  262  and is also a parallelogram. Shape  273  is formed similarly to shape  263  and is also a parallelogram. 
     FIG. 24  shows a plan view of assembly  240  in a third position. Shape  281  is formed similarly to shapes  271  and  261  and is a parallelogram. Shape  282  is formed similarly to shapes  272  and  262  and is also a parallelogram. Shape  283  is formed similarly to shapes  273  and  263  and is also a parallelogram. 
     FIG. 25  shows a plan view of assembly  80  which is comprised of five panels  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84  and  85  as well as four links  86 ,  87 ,  88  and  89 . Also shown in  FIG. 25  are two planes  51  and  52  which lie along the edges of panel  85 . 
     FIG. 26  shows an assembly  90  which is similar to assembly  80  except that the panels  81 ,  82 ,  83  and  84  have been trimmed along lines  51  and  52  to provide four reconfigured panels  91 ,  92 ,  93  and  94 . In this way, the entire assembly lies within the profiles defined by panel  85 . 
     FIGS. 27 and 28  show assembly  90  where links  86 ,  87   88  and  89  have been successively rotated such that a partially opened configuration, then fully opened configuration are provided. In each position, the entire assembly lies within the profile defined by panel  85 . 
     FIG. 29  shows a perspective view of assembly  80  which is comprised of five panels  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84  and  85  as well as four links  86 ,  87 ,  88  and  89 . Also shown in  FIG. 29  are two planes  51  and  52  which lie along the edges of panel  85 . 
     FIG. 30  shows a perspective view assembly  90  which is identical to assembly  80  except that the panels  81 ,  82 ,  83  and  84  have been trimmed along planes  51  and  52  to provide four reconfigured panels  91 ,  92 ,  93  and  94 . In this way, the entire assembly lies within the profile defined by panel  85 . 
     FIGS. 31 and 32  show assembly  90  where links  86 ,  87   88  and  89  have been successively rotated such that a partially opened configuration, then fully opened configuration are provided. In each position the entire assembly lies within the profile defined by panel  85 . 
     FIG. 33  shows an exploded view of assembly  100  which is comprised of four moving panels  91 ,  92 ,  93  and  94  which were previously shown as part of assembly  90 , as well as a stationary panel  97 , and a covering piece  98 . Also shown is a drive handle  99 . 
     FIG. 34  shows assembly  100  wherein panels  91 ,  92 ,  93  and  94  have are housed within an enclosure formed by stationary panel  97  and piece  98 . The four openings of assembly  100  are unobstructed. 
     FIGS. 35 and 36  show assembly  100  in a partially opened configuration, then fully opened configuration respectively. By rotating handle  99  the assembly is driven to each successive configuration. In each position panels  91 ,  92 ,  93  and  94  have are housed within the enclosure formed by panel  97  and piece  98 . 
     FIG. 37  shows a perspective view of assembly  100  where drive handle  99  has been replaced by motor  290 . This indicates a preferred configuration of the invention when it is part of an automated system. 
     FIG. 38  shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the invention, assembly  110  which is comprised of a stationary panel  121 , and covering piece  131  as well as two links  140  and  141 . Assembly  110  is further comprised of nine moving panels  122 ,  123   124 ,  125 ,  126   127 ,  128   129  and  130  each of which has an “L-shaped” profile. 
     FIG. 39  shows assembly  110  wherein each moving panel is attached to link  140  by one pivot connection. In addition each moving panel is attached link to  141  by a second pivot connection. Further, link  140  is attached to stationary panel  121  by a pivot connection. Likewise link  141  is attached to stationary panel  121  by a pivot connection. 
     FIG. 40  shows assembly  110  wherein links  140  and  141  have been rotated to a second position thereby partially clearing the opening in link  110 .  FIG. 41  shows assembly  110  wherein links  140  and  141  have been rotated to a third position thereby fully clearing the opening in assembly  110 . 
     FIG. 42  shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the invention, assembly  500  which is comprised of a stationary panel  501 , and covering piece  530  as well as three links  520 ,  522  and  524 . Assembly  500  is further comprised of sixteen moving panels  502 ,  503 ,  504 ,  505 ,  506 ,  507 ,  508 ,  509 ,  512 ,  513 ,  514 ,  515 ,  516 ,  517 ,  518  and  519  each of which has an elongated profiles. 
     FIG. 43  shows assembly  500  wherein each moving panel is attached to link  520  by one pivot connection. In addition, moving panels  503 ,  503 ,  504 ,  505 ,  506 ,  507 ,  508  and  509  are each attached link to  522  by a second pivot connection. Further, moving panels  512 ,  513 ,  514 ,  515 ,  516 ,  517 ,  518  and  519  are each attached link to  524  by a second pivot connection. Links  520 ,  522  and  524  are each attached to stationary panel  501  by pivot connections. 
     FIG. 44  shows assembly  500  wherein links  520 ,  522  and  524  have been rotated to a second position thereby partially clearing openings in link  501 .  FIG. 45  shows assembly  500  wherein links  520 ,  522  and  524  have been rotated to a third position thereby fully clearing the opening in assembly  500 . 
     FIG. 46  shows a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention, panel assembly  200  which has a triangular profile and is shown in a fully covered configuration. Assembly  200  is comprised of 9 panels  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226 , as well as three links  202 ,  204  and  206 . Panel  210  is attached to link  204  by pivot  211 . Panels  212  through  226  are each pivotally attached to link  201  by pivots  213  through  227  respectively. Similarly, panels  212  through  226  are pivotally attached to links  202  and  206  in successive fashion. 
     FIG. 47  shows assembly  200  in a partially opened configuration wherein links  202 ,  204  and  206  have been partially rotated.  FIG. 48  shows assembly  200  in an opened configuration wherein links  202 ,  204  and  206  have been completely rotated. 
     FIG. 49  shows a perspective view of assembly  200  in covered configuration.  FIGS. 50 and 51  show perspective views of assembly  200  in partially covered and opened configurations respectively. Assembly  200  indicates that the invention may be embodied utilizing virtually any perimeter shape that is desired. 
     FIG. 52  shows an exploded view of a unit  300  which is comprised of a panel assembly  310 , two glass pieces  312  and  314 , as well as two frame pieces  320  and  322 . 
     FIG. 53  shows a perspective view of unit  300  in a fully covered configuration. Panel assembly  310  is thus encased within the double glazing of glass pieces  312  and  314 . 
     FIGS. 54 and 55  shows perspective views of unit  300  wherein panel assembly  310  is shown in partially opened and fully opened configurations respectively. 
     FIG. 56  shows a plan view of panel  410  which is comprised of a sheet that has numerous perforations that form a traditional Islamic geometric pattern. Panel  410  is further comprised of four pivots  412 ,  414 ,  416  and  418 . 
     FIG. 57  shows a perspective view of panel assembly  400  which is comprised of a series of panels similarly patterned as panel  410 . Assembly  400  is shown in a fully opened configuration where each stacked panel is aligned with each other. 
     FIGS. 58 and 59  show perspective views of assembly  400  in partially opened and fully opened configurations respectively. Assembly  400  indicates that the invention may be embodied utilizing virtually any desired design for the panel pattern.