Minimizing The Stack Effect In Tall Buildings Having Vertical Shafts

Abstract

An elevator system (20) includes at least one vertical shaft (32) extending between at least two levels (24, 36) of a building (22). One of the levels (24) includes at least one passageway (28) between an interior of the building and the outside environment. At least one second shaft (40) extends between the other building level (36) and at least one other level within the building. The interior of the second shaft (40) is isolated from airflow on the building level (24) that includes the passageway (28) to the outside environment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a building including an example elevator system design.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example enclosure associated with an opening into a hoistway.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of an enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically shows an elevator system 20 within a building 22. In this example, the building 22 is a high-rise building that has a first, lobby level 24 and a lower level 26 that include passageways (i.e., doorways) 28 and 30, respectively, that allow individuals to enter or exit the building 22. In one example, the passageways 28 and 30 provide openings for potential airflow communication between the interior spaces on the building levels 24 and 26 and the outside of the building.

A first vertical shaft 32, which is an elevator hoistway in one example, extends between the building level 24 and at least one second level 36 above the building level 24. Another vertical shaft 34 extends between the same building levels in this example. Vertical shafts 32 and 34 allow individuals entering the building 22 to access the building level 36 where they can then travel to higher levels within the building through one or more vertical shafts 40. In one example, a plurality of elevator hoistways are provided and each of the vertical shafts shown corresponds to a hoistway. In another example, at least one of the vertical shafts 40 comprises a stairwell.

Having separated vertical shafts 32 and 34 on the one hand and the vertical shafts 40 on the other hand allows for effectively isolating the building level 36 and those above it from the building levels 24 and 26, which include passageways to the outside of the building. By isolating the building level 36 and those above it, the vertical shafts 40 are isolated from airflow on the levels 24 and 26. Providing such isolation minimizes or eliminates the stack effect that otherwise may be associated with airflow through the passageways 28 and 30 into the building from the outside.

The vertical shafts 32 and 34 provide a vertical airlock that isolates the vertical shafts 40 from the airflow on the building levels 24 and 26, for example. In one example, each vertical shaft 32 and 34 is isolated from airflow on the building level 24. In another example, each shaft 32 and 34 is isolated from airflow on the building level 36. In still another example, the shafts 32 and 34 are isolated from airflow on both levels 24 and 36.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one example way of isolating a vertical shaft 32 from airflow on at least one of the levels 24 or 36. In the example of FIG. 2, the shaft 32 is an elevator hoistway that supports an elevator car 50 for movement in a conventional manner. An opening 54 to the interior of the hoistway 32 allows passenger access to the elevator car 50 in a known manner. An enclosure 52 is associated with the opening 54 to isolate the interior of the shaft 32 from the space on the opposite side of the enclosure 52 (i.e., the useable or occupied building space on a corresponding level). In this example, the enclosure 52 provides a generally sealed interface against a wall surface 56 near the opening 54 to the hoistway 32.

In the example of FIG. 2, the enclosure 52 includes a first door 60 that is spaced from a second door 62.

A controller 64 controls movement of the doors 60 and 62, which comprise sliding doors in this example. The controller 64 allows one of the doors 60 or 62 to open only when the other door 62 or 60 is closed. By keeping at least one of the doors 60 or 62 closed at all times, airflow from the space outside of the enclosure 52 is not permitted into the space within the shaft 32. Accordingly, the enclosure 52 provides isolation of the interior of the shaft 32 from airflow on the building level where the enclosure 52 is located. In one example, an enclosure 52 is provided on each building level to which the shaft 32 provides access. In the example of FIG. 1, an enclosure 52 may be provided at the level 24, the level 36 or both.

FIG. 3 schematically shows another example enclosure where the sliding door 60 is replaced with swinging doors 66. In this example, the controller 64 only allows one of the swinging doors or both to open when the sliding door 62 is closed. Similarly, the controller 64 only allows the sliding door 62 to open when both of the swinging doors 66 are closed.

By providing a vertical airlock to isolate upper building levels that are associated with vertically extending shafts such as elevator hoistways or stairwells from lower building levels that include passageways to an outside of the building, airflow management becomes possible without relying upon conventional techniques such as revolving doors for sealing the passageways between the building interior and the outside.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. An elevator system, comprising: a first hoistway that extends between a first building level that includes a passage between an interior of a building and a space outside of the building and a second building level; andat least one second hoistway that extends between the second building level and at least one other building level, the first hoistway being isolated from airflow in the second hoistway.

16. The elevator system of claim 15, including a plurality of the second hoistways.

17. The elevator system of claim 15, including an enclosure for controlling airflow between at least one of an opening between the first hoistway and the first building level or an opening between the first hoistway and the second building level.

18. The elevator system of claim 17, including the enclosure at each of the openings.

19. The elevator system of claim 17, including a plurality of enclosure doors spaced from each other and a controller that allows one of the doors to open only when at least one other of the doors is closed.

20. A method of controlling airflow in a building including: providing a first shaft extending between a first building level and a second building level, the first building level including a passage between an interior of the building and a space outside of the building;providing at least one second shaft extending between the second building level and at least one other building level; andisolating an interior of the second shaft at least from airflow on the first building level.

21. The method of claim 20, including providing a plurality of the second shafts.

22. The method of claim 20, including isolating the interior of the first shaft from airflow on the second building level.

23. The method of claim 22, including isolating the interior of the first shaft from airflow on the first building level.

24. The method of claim 20, including providing an enclosure at an opening between the first shaft and the first building level that isolates the interior of the first shaft from airflow on the first level.

25. The method of claim 24, including providing an enclosure at an opening between the first shaft and the second building level that isolates the interior of the first shaft from airflow on the second level.

26. An assembly for isolating a vertical shaft in a building, comprising: an enclosure for surrounding at least one opening of a vertical shaft that has a first opening at a first level in the building and a second opening at a second level in the building, the first level includes at least one passage between an interior of the building and a space outside of the building, the enclosure isolating the at least one opening from a space on a side of the enclosure opposite from the vertical shaft;a plurality of doors associated with the enclosure, at least a first one of the doors allowing passage between the enclosure and the at least one opening and at least a second one of the doors spaced from the first one and allowing passage between the enclosure and the space; anda controller that allows one of the doors to open only when at least one other of the doors is closed to thereby prevent airflow between the first and second levels through the vertical shaft.