Patent Abstract:
Plural vertically aligned curtain sections form a first wall of a structure and are each coupled to a respective manual or powered rotary drive by means of a respective elongated, roll-up rod disposed in a lower hem, and extending the length, of the curtain section. The rotary drives are attached to horizontally spaced, vertical tracks for limiting the vertical drives, the roll-up rods and each curtain&#39;s lower hem to vertical motion in rolling up and unrolling the curtain sections. A water curtain maintained in a moist condition is disposed adjacent the inner surfaces of the curtain sections, with fans disposed on a second opposed wall of the structure for drawing air through the space occupied by the curtain sections for providing moist airflow through the structure&#39;s interior. Moist airflow and cooling are precisely controlled by controlling the gap between a pair of adjacent vertically spaced curtain sections.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to roll-up curtain systems and is particularly directed to an arrangement of vertically spaced roll-up curtain sections for controlling the flow of moist air through a generally closed structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Flexible, lightweight curtain systems are increasingly being used as outer walls for structures housing animals in agricultural environments. These movable curtain systems frequently include long spans of vertically spaced roll-up curtain sections which are opened and closed for the purpose of controlling the environment within the structure for the benefit of the animals therein. The curtains are opened at high temperatures, closed at low temperatures, and are intermediately positioned at moderate temperatures. The goal is to precisely control the openings formed by the curtains for optimum comfort of the animals. 
         [0003]    As the length and weight of the curtain sections increases to accommodate larger building structures, the curtain support and drive mechanisms have increased in size and complexity. This trend has made it more difficult to precisely control the extent to which the curtain sections are open or closed. This has also led to increased size and numbers of support/control mechanisms which has reduced the open portion of the curtain wall through which air flows into and out of the structure. 
         [0004]    The present invention addresses the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing a compact support/control mechanism capable of vertically displacing long sections of vertically spaced curtains for precisely controlling airflow into and out of a generally closed structure. In addition, the present invention contemplates the use of water curtains disposed adjacent to and inwardly of the curtain sections for directing in a controlled manner moist air through the enclosed space in precisely controlling the environment therein for optimum comfort. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved cooling in a generally closed space by adding water to an airflow through the space and selectively controlling the airflow throughout the space. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide improved cooling for animals in a generally closed space by controlling the rate of flow of moist air through the space to allow for increased relative humidity of the air while avoiding condensation on the animals. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-section curtain arrangement forming a wall of a generally closed room through which air is drawn which allows for precise control of airflow through the room and the environment within the room. 
         [0008]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-section roll-up curtain arrangement forming a wall of a generally closed room which allows for increased airflow through the room by minimizing the width of the curtain roll-up drive and support mechanism. 
         [0009]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-section roll-up curtain arrangement forming a wall which provides increased comfort at high outside temperatures for cows in a milking parlor. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to roll-up or unroll plural vertically aligned curtain sections independently of one another to provide more precise control of the openings between adjacent curtain sections and the flow of air through the curtain sections. 
         [0011]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a roll-up curtain system for controlling air flow through a generally closed space capable of operating equally well under either manual operation or motor driven operation. 
         [0012]    The present invention contemplates for use in a generally closed space defined by plural structural members and having first and second spaced lateral peripheral portions, wherein air is drawn through the first lateral peripheral portion into the space and exits via the second lateral peripheral portion, and wherein water is introduced in the airflow for cooling the space, an arrangement for controlling the moist airflow in the enclosed space comprising: first upper, first intermediate and first lower curtain sections arranged in vertical spaced alignment and covering the first lateral peripheral portion of the space, wherein each of the first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections includes a respective upper edge portion fixedly attached to a structural member and a respective free lower edge portion attached to a respective roll-up rod; first, second and third rotary drive and trolley combinations each respectively coupled to a respective roll-up rod of said first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections for independently rolling up or unrolling the curtain sections relative to a fixed upper edge portion of the curtain section, wherein a rotary drive and trolley combination moves upward to roll-up its associated curtain section and moves downward to unroll its associated curtain section; and a vertical guide coupled to the rotary drive and trolley combinations for limiting movement of the roll-up rods attached to a lower edge portion of each curtain section to a generally vertical plane during rolling up and unrolling of the curtain sections in controlling airflow in the generally closed space, the vertical guide including a first track arrangement engaging the first and third rotary drive and trolley combinations and a second track arrangement engaging the second rotary drive and trolley combination, wherein the first and second track arrangements are arranged in a horizontally spaced manner from one another allowing the first and third rotary drive and trolley combinations and the second rotary drive and trolley combination to move upward and downward in a vertically offset manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The appended claims set forth those novel features which characterize the invention. However, the invention itself, as well as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements throughout the various figures, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outside of a multi-section curtain system forming an outer wall of a generally enclosed structure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an outer perspective view of a second wall in the structure which includes the multi-curtain system shown in  FIG. 1 , where the wall shown in  FIG. 2  includes plural-spaced exhaust fans for moving air through the spaced defined by the structure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a multi-drive arrangement for use in individually controlling the multi-section curtain system of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an upper portion of the curtain drive and support arrangement for use in the cross ventilation curtain system of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the position of a pair of support/drive mechanisms for use in the cross ventilation curtain system of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing additional details of a curtain support/drive mechanism used in a preferred embodiment of the cross ventilation curtain system of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a curtain support/drive mechanism used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention employing a manual drive arrangement for rolling up and unrolling the curtain sections. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an outer perspective view of a cross ventilation curtain system  30  in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second wall  33  of the structure  28  in which the cross ventilation curtain system  30  of the present invention is incorporated.  FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a curtain controller  58  for use in the cross ventilation curtain system  30  of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a lower perspective view of an upper portion of the curtain controller  58  for supporting and controlling the upper curtain sections of the inventive cross ventilation curtain system  30 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the cross ventilation curtain system&#39;s curtain controller  58  showing additional details of the drive and support arrangements for the upper and intermediate curtain sections of the cross ventilation curtain system.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the lower support/drive mechanism  54  used in supporting and controlling the operation of the cross ventilation curtain system&#39;s lower curtain sections.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lower support/drive mechanism  54  which provides support and control of the cross ventilation curtain system&#39;s lower curtain sections, it being understood that the corresponding support/drive mechanisms for the cross ventilation curtain system&#39;s upper and intermediate curtain sections are the same in configuration, structure and operation as the support/drive mechanism shown in  FIG. 7  for the lower curtain sections. 
         [0023]    Cross ventilation curtain system  30  forms one wall of a generally closed structure  28  which also includes a roof  32  and a second wall shown as element  33  in the perspective view of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , an upper portion of the second wall  33  adjoins the structure&#39;s roof  32  and is positioned on and supported by the structure&#39;s foundation, or floor,  34 . The second wall  33  is comprised of plural exhaust fans  35  which draw air through the first wall formed of the cross ventilation curtain system  30 . After the flow of air passes through the cross ventilation curtain system  30 , it transits the interior space of the structure  28  and exits the structure via the plural exhaust fans  35  forming the structure&#39;s second wall  33 . Disposed within the structure in closely spaced relation to the cross ventilation curtain system  30  is a water curtain  31  which extends the height and width of the cross ventilation curtain system as shown in  FIG. 1 . Water curtain  31  is conventional in design and operation and is comprised of an air permeable material with water retention properties. In operation, water is deposited on the upper edge portion of the water curtain  31  and is allowed to travel downward on the water curtain so as to introduce moisture in the flow of air drawn through the water curtain by the aforementioned exhaust fans  35  disposed in a spaced manner across the structure from the water curtain. By directing airflow through the water-bearing water curtain  31 , cool moist air is drawn through the interior space of the structure by means of the aforementioned exhaust fans  35 . In the environment in which the cross ventilation curtain system  30  of the present invention is intended for use, the moist air is used to maintain a cool, comfortable environment for the benefit of cows being milked within the structure. The cross ventilation curtain system  30  of the present invention allows for precise control of airflow through the water curtain  31  so as to provide a desired moisture level within the airflow for optimum comfort, while preventing condensation of the moisture on the animals and the undesirable health impact that this would have on them. In another embodiment, moisture is introduced in the airflow between the curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44  and through the interior space of structure  28  not by the water curtain  31 , but rather by at least one mist device disposed in or adjacent to the generally closed structure  28 , where two mist devices  29   a  and  29   b  are shown in  FIG. 1 . These mist devices  29   a,    29   b  introduce water in the form of a fine mist as it passes between curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44  and flows through the interior space of the structure  28 . 
         [0024]    Cross ventilation curtain system  30  includes the aforementioned first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44  disposed in spaced vertical alignment and extending laterally over an outer portion of the structure  28 . Disposed adjacent one end of each of the first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44  are second upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  60 ,  62  and  64 . Disposed between the first and second curtain sections is a curtain controller  58 . Curtain controller  58  simultaneously controls the operation of each of the first and second upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections as described in detail below. The following description is directed to the first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44 , it being understood that this description applies equally as well to the construction, configuration and operation of the second upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  60 ,  62  and  64 . 
         [0025]    An upper edge portion of the first upper curtain section  40  is securely attached to an upper structural member  56  of the structure  28  in a conventional manner such as by fasteners or by a mounting member (not shown). The lower end portion of the first upper curtain section  40  is in the form of a hem  40   a  which is adapted to receive a first curtain drive/support rod  122  which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The upper edge portion  42   b  of the intermediate curtain section  42  is adapted to receive an upper support rod  42   c  disposed within a hem formed in the upper edge portion. The intermediate curtain section&#39;s upper support rod  42   c  is securely attached to the housing  36  of the curtain controller  58  as well as to first and second guide/support arrangement  46  and  48  disposed in a spaced manner along the lengths of the first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44 . The first and second guide/support arrangements  46 ,  48  respectively include outer and inner members  46   a,    46   b  and  48   a,    48   b  for engaging the outer and inner surfaces of the three curtain sections and maintaining these curtain sections in generally vertical alignment when in fixed position as well as during unrolling and roll-up of the curtain sections. In addition, the first and second guide/support arrangements  46 ,  48  are attached to and provide support for the first intermediate and lower curtain sections  42  and  44 . Thus, an upper edge portion  44   b  of the first lower curtain section  44  is coupled to an elongated, linear support rod  44   c  which, in turn, is attached to the housing  36  of the curtain controller  58  as well as to the first and second guide/support arrangements  46  and  48  for supporting the first lower curtain section. The first lower curtain section  44  is also provided with a curtain hem  44   a  on its lower edge which contains a third curtain drive rod  108  described below. Each of the second upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  60 ,  62  and  64  is configured, mounted and positioned within structure  28  and operates in a manner similar to that of the above described first upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , details of the configuration and operation of the cross ventilation curtain system&#39;s controller  58  will now be described. Curtain controller  58  includes a generally closed housing  36  including a rectangular frame and a top panel  37 , a rear wall  39 , and a pivoting front door  38  for enclosing the various support and control mechanisms described in detail below. Curtain controller  58  further includes a first upper support/drive mechanism  50  for providing support and control for the first and second upper curtain sections  40 ,  60 . Curtain controller  58  also includes a second intermediate support/drive mechanism  52  and a third lower support/drive mechanism  54  for providing support and control respectively for the intermediate curtain sections  42 ,  62  and for the lower curtain sections  44 ,  64 . Disposed within the curtain controller  58  are first, second and third vertical guide members  70 ,  72  and  74  which extend from the top of the first and second upper curtain sections  40 ,  60  to the bottom of the first and second lower curtain sections  44 ,  64 . The first, second and third vertical guide members  70 ,  72  and  74  engage and maintain the first upper, second intermediate and third lower support/drive mechanisms  50 ,  52  and  54  in a fixed orientation and in vertical alignment during rolling up and unrolling of the various curtain sections as well as when the curtain sections are in fixed position. Curtain controller  58  further includes three pairs of upper and lower limit switches, with each pair of limit switches controlling the upper and lower position limits of a respective one of the support/drive mechanisms. Thus, limit switch  80  limits the lowest position of the first upper support/drive mechanism  50 . An upper limit switch limits the uppermost position of the first upper support/drive mechanism  50 , but this limit switch is now shown in the figures for simplicity. Similarly, second upper and lower limit switches  82   a  and  82   b  respectively limit the uppermost and lowest positions of the second intermediate support/drive mechanism  52 . Finally, third upper and lower limit switches  84   a  and  84   b  limit the uppermost and lowest positioning limits of the third lower support/drive mechanism  54 . As shown for the case of the second upper limit switch  82   a  in  FIG. 4 , each of the limit switches includes a pivoting arm which is identified as element  83  for the second upper limit switch. A position limit switch is triggered when a curtain drive/support rod attached to a lower or intermediate hem portion of a curtain section engages and displaces the limit switch&#39;s pivoting arm which results in termination of further movement of the curtain section&#39;s lower or intermediate hem portion. 
         [0027]    The structure, configuration and operation of a support/drive mechanism used for supporting and controlling each of the curtain sections will now be described in detail in terms of  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the third lower support/drive mechanism  54  installed in the cross ventilation curtain system  30  of the present invention, while  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of this support/drive mechanism removed from the system to illustrate additional details of its structure and components. The first upper and second intermediate support drive mechanisms  50 ,  52  are configured and operate similarly to the third lower support/drive mechanism  54 . The third lower support/drive mechanism  54  includes a generally planar support panel  92  comprised of a high strength material such as metal or plastic. The third lower support/drive mechanism  54  further includes the combination of an electric motor  54   a  and a gearbox  91  as well as a trolley mechanism  54   b.  As shown in  FIG. 6 , electric motor  54   a  is energized by a source of electricity via electrical lead  90 . Rotational displacement of an output shaft (not shown) of electric motor  54   a  is converted to the proper RPMs by gearbox  91  which is, in turn, coupled to a first drive shaft  96 . The combination of electric motor  54   a  and gearbox  91  is securely mounted to support panel  92  by means of first and second mounting brackets  94   a  and  94   b  which are connected to the gearbox. Disposed on opposed ends of the first drive shaft  96  are first and second sprockets  98   a  and  98   b.  First and second sprockets  98   a,    98   b  are respectively coupled by means of first and second drive chains  100  and  102  to third and fourth sprockets  110   a  and  110   b.  The third and fourth sprockets  110   a,    110   b  are mounted on opposed ends of a second drive shaft  106  which is mounted to the support panel  92  by means of the combination of a mounting bracket  136  and a nut and bolt combination  138 . One end of the second drive shaft  106  is connected to a first curtain drive/support rod  104 , while an opposed end of the second drive shaft is connected to a second curtain drive/support rod  108 . The first curtain drive/support rod  104  is connected to a lower hem portion of the second lower curtain section  64 , while the second curtain drive/support rod  108  is connected to a lower hem portion of the first lower curtain section  44 . It should be noted here that the second drive shaft  106  may also be connected to an intermediate hem portion of a curtain section as shown for the case of a drive shaft  136  of the second intermediate support/drive mechanism  52  connected to intermediate hems of the first and second intermediate curtain sections  42 ,  62 . Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the combination of a support/drive mechanism may be connected to an intermediate hem or a bottom hem of a curtain section. Rotational displacement of the output shaft (not shown) of electric motor  54   a  is converted and transmitted via the combination of gearbox  91 , first drive shaft  96 , first and second sprockets  98   a,    98   b,  first and second drive chains  100 ,  102 , third and fourth sprockets  110   a,    110   b,  and second drive shaft  106  to the proper rotational speed for rolling up and unrolling the first and second lower curtain sections  44  and  64 . It should also be noted here that while the aforementioned support/drive mechanisms are each described as including an electric motor, the present invention is not limited to the use of electric motors and may make use of virtually any source of rotational motion properly sized and scaled, including a manual drive mechanism as described in detail below. 
         [0028]    The trolley mechanism  54   b  of the third lower support/drive mechanism  54  includes its support panel  92  to which are rotationally mounted first, second, third and fourth rollers  112   a - 112   d . Each of the aforementioned rollers, or wheels,  112   a - 112   d  are by means of a respective axle, such as shown for the case of the third and fourth rollers  112   c,    112   d,  respectively attached to the support panel by means of axles  114   a  and  114   b.  Each of the rollers  112   a - 112   d  is adapted for engagement with a respective one of the second and third vertical guide members  72 ,  74  and to the controller housing&#39;s rear wall  39 . Thus, rollers  112   a  and  112   d  are adapted for engagement with second vertical guide member  72  and rear wall  39 , while rollers  112   b  and  112   c  are adapted for engagement with third vertical guide member  74  and the rear wall. Thus, rollers  112   a - 112   d  are positioned between and in contact with the housing&#39;s rear wall  39  and a respective one of the first, second or third vertical guide members  70 ,  72  and  74  for limiting movement of the three support/drive mechanisms  50 ,  52  and  54  to a vertical plane for insuring vertical alignment and displacement of the curtain sections. 
         [0029]    The use of only three vertical guide members and two vertical offset paths of travel of the three support/drive mechanisms  50 ,  52  and  54  minimizes the horizontal width of the curtain controller&#39;s housing  36  to allow for increased curtain section lengths in spanning the opening in a lateral portion of structure  28 . This permits additional air to be moved through the space within structure  28  and allows for enhanced control of the environment within the structure&#39;s inner space. The vertically offset curtain drive arrangement of the present invention also allows the plural vertically aligned curtain sections to be individually and independently rolled up or unrolled to provide more precise control of the extent of airflow between adjacent curtain sections as well as through the entire roll-up curtain arrangement. In addition, by optimally orienting the components of each of the three support/drive mechanisms  50 ,  52  and  54 , the vertical dimensions of the curtain controller&#39;s housing  36  is also minimized and vertical displacement of the upper and lower curtain support/drive mechanisms is increased. More particularly, the orientation of the respective motors  50   a  and  54   a  in the first upper and third lower support/drive mechanisms  50 ,  54  is reversed eliminating the requirement to expand the vertical dimensions of housing  36 , while still allowing the first, second and third curtain sections to fully span the vertical dimension of the lateral opening in structure  28 . Positioning electric motors  50   a  and  50   b  in opposed relative orientations allows for a reduction in the vertical dimension of housing  36  and increases the vertical dimensions of the openings provided by the upper and lower curtain sections when rolled up to increase the flow of air through structure  28 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown another embodiment of a cross ventilation curtain system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The cross ventilation curtain system shown in  FIG. 8  is similar to the cross ventilation curtain system shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, common elements in both of the cross ventilation curtain systems shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8  having the same configuration and performing the same function have been provided with the same identifying element number in the two figures. The different between the two cross ventilation curtain systems shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8  is in the manner in which the individual curtain sections are rolled up and unrolled. More specifically, the cross ventilation curtain system shown in  FIG. 3  employs first, second and third electric motors  50   a,    52   a  and  54   a  to raise and lower the upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44 , respectively. In the embodiment of applicant&#39;s invention shown in  FIG. 8 , the upper, intermediate and lower curtain sections  40 ,  42  and  44  are raised and lowered by means of first, second and third mechanical drives  140 ,  142  and  144 . Each of the first, second and third mechanical drives  140 ,  142  and  144  is adapted for providing rotary drive for an associated coupled curtain section by means of a power unit  146 , which in  FIG. 8  is shown as a conventional electric drill. Power unit  146  is adapted for engaging and rotationally driving by means of an extension rod  148  a respective adapter  140   a,    142   a  and  144   a  disposed in the first, second and third mechanical drives  140 ,  142  and  144 . 
         [0031]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the relevant arts that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matters set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and is not a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7