Patent Publication Number: US-7708625-B2

Title: Air inlet and outlet hood

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application for patent claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/818,468, filed on Jul. 5, 2006, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to air inlet and outlet hoods for ventilating equipment and/or spaces. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,430 discloses, according to the Abstract, An assembly of louver blades attached to a frame for positioning in a ventilating opening provided in the wall of a building and defining an air handling device through which air is free to flow. The louver blades may be disposed in either horizontal or vertical orientation. The flowing air traverses passageways defined by the louver blades, and eventually exits said passageways on the side opposite of its original entrance. Raindrops, which may have accompanied the air stream as airborne free water, are extracted to an acceptable degree through natural gravitational forces and other means whereby said water is caused to be deposited upon the surfaces of the louver blades. Drainage means are provided whereby the water is effectively drained from the louver blades to the exterior of the louver assembly and falls harmlessly to the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,183 discloses, according to the Abstract, An apparatus for separating particles from a gas flow . . . comprising: . . . A plurality of corrugated separator plates arranged in spaced parallel relation to each other and defining wave-like flow channels between each other. The warped surfaces of the separator plates are generated in cross-section by at least three circular arcs connected continuously and with alternating directions of curvature. The radius of each of the three circular arcs is different, the radius of the arc representing the crest being the smallest. The arcs define at least one crest between two troughs, forming an intake section and an outlet-section, respectively of each separator plate. A first separating chamber is provided opening towards the gas flow on the convex side of the crest and is formed by a blade projecting from the downstream side of the crest toward its upstream side and running along the crest. A plurality of serrations running along underneath the crests [are] arranged opposite to the separating chambers of the crest of the adjacent separator plate. The smaller radius of the second arc and the serrations together with the separating chamber provide a narrowing of the duct toward the crest to increase the speed of the fluid flow. A collision occurs between the main upstream gas flow and a continuous gas flow recoil from the first separating chamber, causing a stationary micro-turbulence in the vicinity of the serrations without a significant loss of energy and speed, whereby even the smallest particles are separated by the serrations. Two additional separating chambers of specific cross-sections are provided strategically on the downstream past the crest, each retaining material particles not caught previously. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,224 discloses, according to the Abstract, A louver with vertical blades arranged in a frame alternately in a staggered relation from front to back in a front and a rear row. The blades in at least the front row have a web oriented substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the frame and substantially parallel to the jambs, a pair of front flanges extending in opposite directions generally laterally from a front edge of the web, and a pair of rear flanges extending in opposite directions generally laterally from a rear edge of the web. The webs subdivide the air flow volume within the frame into flow channels, each of which is partially blocked laterally by the front flanges and the rear flanges of the blades of the front row. The blades of the rear row have flanges that block the portions of the channels between the extremities of the flanges of the blades of the front row. The flanges of the adjacent blades overlap so that there is no straight path through the flow channels along which air and water entrained in the air can pass perpendicularly to the plane of the frame and the air flows along a tortuous flow path of approximately constant area. The flanges are configured to control and trap water impinging on them. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,244, according to the Abstract, “A storm louver ( 10 ,  12 ) having a plurality of spaced blades ( 16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ) for removing water particles from air flowing into a building or air handling equipment is disclosed. Each louver ( 10 ,  12 ) has an improved blade support frame ( 18 ) that permits the blades ( 16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ) to be more quickly and easily installed in the support frame ( 18 ) and that more firmly supports the blades. A modular louver system including at least two individual louvers that can be easily connected for installation in openings of any size is also disclosed.” 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,445, according to the Abstract, A modular louver system is disclosed which utilizes a series of joined frames having the same basic cross section, a series of spacers, and a series of louver vanes having the same v shaped cross section. The frames have a t-shaped channel, with inwardly facing channel lips defining the narrow portion of the t-shaped channel. The louver vanes have a dovetail at each end, where the dovetail neck will fit in the area defined by the inwardly facing channel lips. In addition, the spacers are shaped so that they will rest in the t-shaped channel and will either separate the louver vanes from each other or from an adjacent frame. The louver vane dovetails are inserted in the t-shaped channels of opposing frames, with at least one spacer inserted in the t-shaped channels to separate the louver vanes from each other and from an adjacent frame. Where [a] rectangular connection is desired, the frames are connected either [sic] using a clip joint arrangement. Where the modular louver system uses rounded corners, a corner frame is used to allow for a rounded edge. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,940 discloses, according to its Abstract, An airflow unit, especially a filter fan or discharge filter with or without a fan for installation in an installation opening in a wall, especially a housing for components that produce waste heat, includes a ventilation grating composed of a frame holding a filter medium, a support member with a frame having a peripheral wall surface which expands outwardly, wherein the support member is provided with airflow openings and with water-diverting wings or rib formations. A shielding grating is inserted in the support member on a side facing away from the ventilation grating. An IP seal is foamed onto the support member for protection against splash water and spray water. All components of the airflow unit are held together by clamp or screw connections. The airflow unit is placed on the outer wall surface of the wall of the housing and is preferably detachably connected with the housing wall. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One aspect of the present invention comprises a ventilation device comprising a body defining an interior plenum; a ventilation element coupled to the body and comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and two side portions, each portion having associated therewith a flange, the ventilation element comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, vertically arranged blades disposed between the side portions and adapted to trap airborne water, transport the water to the bottom of the element and permit air to enter the plenum, the bottom portion adapted to allow trapped water to exit the element; an exit in the body communicating with the plenum to establish a ventilation path through the element into the plenum and through the exit; and a valve disposed in the plenum and configured to seal the exit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a partial cross-sectional top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a louver element particularly suited for use with hoods according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the element shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer&#39;s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. 
   Particular embodiments of the invention may be described below with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations, can be implemented by analog and/or digital hardware, and/or computer program instructions. Such computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, ASIC, and/or other programmable data processing system. The executed instructions may create structures and functions for implementing the actions specified in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations. In some alternate implementations, the functions/actions/structures noted in the figures may occur out of the order noted in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations. For example, two operations shown as occurring in succession, in fact, may be executed substantially concurrently or the operations may be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts/structure involved. 
   Applicants have created a unique inlet and/or outlet (e.g., exhaust) air hood. This invention is particularly well suited for use with vertical storm louvers on a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) and other marine vessels, although its use is not so limited. Embodiments may be designed for holding and retaining vertical storm louvers that are adapted to remove some or all of airborne rain or water at relatively high air velocities and with low airflow resistance. The hood may comprise a basic cube shape, which affords a smaller projected footprint than conventional round- or mushroom-shaped hood. The hood may be adapted to couple directly, such as by bolting or welding, to an inlet or exhaust fan or ducting, such as a fan or ducting above the main deck of a MODU or marine vessel. The hood may incorporate an internal flow shaper, such as an inlet/outlet bell, to reduce airflow resistance. The hood may be configured to incorporate one or a plurality of vertical storm louvers as the air volume and application requires. Also, the hood may be configured to incorporate an internal valve or baffle to create a watertight closure. 
   Turning now to a more detailed description of a particular embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a hood  100  comprising a body portion  102  preferably fabricated from a metal alloy, such as aluminum, steel or stainless steel. Alternately, the hood may be fabricated from other materials such as composites, fiberglass, or other metal alloy systems. The hood of  FIG. 1  is illustrated to be basically cubic in shape, although it will be appreciated that the shape of the body portion  102  may be dictated by, among other things, the available space in which the hood  100  will be placed, and/or the size and shape of the elements  104 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , hood  100  is configured to accept four elements  104  associated with each of the vertical faces of body portion  102 . Each element  104  is preferably a mechanical type of filter, specifically adapted to prevent, for example, the ingress of water, such as rain or wind blown water. Depending on the shape of the body portion  102 , one or more elements  104  may be used. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a presently preferred type of element  104  for use with certain embodiments of the present invention, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Element  104  may comprise a rectangular body  300 , such as a square, having mounting flanges  302  on an exterior surface  304 . Disposed between the exterior surface  304  and an interior surface  306  are a plurality of louvers or blades  308   a  through  308   n . Each blade  308  extends substantially the height of the element  104 , and as shown in  FIG. 3 , preferably comprises a generally arcuate, sinusoidal or bell curve shape. The louvers  308  are stacked within the body  300  in such manner that the louvers “nest” with one another to form a plurality of fluid flow paths  310  of substantially the same configuration as the individual louvers  308  that define the flow path  310 . In addition, each flow path  310  has a trap  312  that runs substantially the length of the blade  308  and that is formed substantially at the apex  314  of one of the louvers  308  in the flow path  310 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the trap  312  may formed by a portion of the convex side of the louver extending into the flow path  310 . Each flow path  310  may also include ribs  316  and/or  318  on the downstream side of trap  312 . 
   In operation, element  104  prevents or at least minimizes the amount of air borne water, such as rain that can be drawn into hood plenum  110 . As water-laden air makes it way through the element  104 , the curved path  310 , the traps  312  and ribs  316  and/or  318  remove the water from the air. The removed water falls down the louvers  308  to the bottom side of the element  104  where the water is allowed to drain out. 
   It is presently preferred that the element  104  be constructed from an extruded aluminum alloy, such as, for example, 6063-T5 with a continuous welded construction. The blades  308  may be fabricated, preferably by extrusion, from the same type of aluminum alloy, or from plastic, and for most applications be about 0.081 inches thick. It is preferred that blades  308  be formed by an extrusion process and then cut to length. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , element  104  may comprise side portions  320  and  322 . It is preferred that sides portions  320  and  322  be extruded and include flange  302 . In addition, first blades  308   a  and/or  308   n  may be part of the extruded side portion  320  and/or  322 . Alternately, the first blades  308   a  and/or  308   n  may be extruded separately from the side portions  320  and/or  322 . In either case, individual blades  308  may be held in position within element  104  by various means, such as tongue and groove, welding, compression, tab lock or retainer bar  400  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , element  104  may comprise top portion  402  and bottom portion  404 , each of which is preferably fabricated by extrusion with integral flange  406 . It will be noted that bottom potion  404  is unobstructed on the exterior face  408  of element  104  to facilitate drainage of trapped water. 
   It is preferred that the blades  308  be anodized to minimize corrosion, such as 215-R1 clear anodization for about 1 hour. Blade spacing may range between about 10 times and about 20 times the average blade thickness, and most preferably between about 10 times and 15 times the average blade thickness. Thus, for blades having an average thickness of about 0.081 inches, it is preferred to space the blades at about 1.0 to about 1.125 inches. 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , body portion  102  has associated therewith a transition  106  coupled to body portion  102 . Transition  106  is preferably adapted to minimize airflow restriction through the transition. Transition  106  is adapted to be coupled to the equipment or space, such as a workroom, that is ventilated. It will be appreciated that hood  100  may be attached to the equipment or space by bolting or welding or other conventional coupling techniques. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , water extracted from the air is allowed to drain out of the bottom of the element  104 . 
   Also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a baffle or valve  108  that can be used to seal the hood  100  in watertight fashion. In other words, valve  108  can be used to prevent water or other fluid from making its way into the equipment or engine room. For example, when used on offshore equipment, valve  108  may be closed when a storm, such as a hurricane, is approaching the offshore unit. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , valve  108  may be actuated by a threaded mechanism  112  and associated handle  114 . Alternately, valve  108  may be hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically actuated. Lastly, the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  shows lifting lugs  116  for ease in handling and installation of hood  100 . 
   Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant&#39;s invention. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. 
   The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicants intend to protect fully all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.