ROTARY ROOF VENT

Abstract

A rotary roof vent consisting of a base, an impeller, an axle holding/supporting a rotating rim with blades and a cover. The impeller is solid and formed as a rim with stiffeners, and the blades are located at the outside edges of the rim. A hollow sleeve is positioned at the central part for receiving an axle. The blades are formed having a convex shape. A protrusion positioned at an acute angle disposed at the end of each blade. Another protrusion is disposed at obtuse angle to the blade and is positioned closer to the center. The blades are inserted into the impeller by 20% in relation to the base diameter. The impeller stiffeners having arch shaped configuration are adapted to follow a contour of the blades.

Description

The present invention relates in general to smoke removal and exhaust ventilation devices with radial flow. More specifically, the invention relates to radial (centrifugal) fans for smoke removal and ventilation installed on roofs of buildings, and assisting in the removal of smoke, gases and air from building premises in case of fire or gas contamination due/based on to natural draft.

The rotary roof vent or deflector is used for ventilation of residential and office premises, pools, hangars, grain storages, cattle-breeding complexes, structural elements of the roof (rafter legs, insulation, lathing or continuous roof decking), removal of gas and vapors from mines of multi-story buildings and provision of correctly organized ventilation.

A roof radial fan with an impeller for smoke removal and ventilation is known from the prior art (RU 2618416, publ.).

The radial fan is made having curved blades in the form of a hollow ball belt, a vertical axel on which the impeller rotates, on the upper base of the impeller there are blades-cups from an aluminum body, and fluoroplastic bushings are used as well.

The drawbacks of the above-discussed design of the turbo-deflector are as follows:

• • 1. Moisture and snow easily penetrate into the deflector due to the open construction. The entire condensate descends inward along the axel and enters the bushings where the bearings and moving metal parts of the deflector are located and are rapidly destroyed due to oxidation. During the winter the moisture in the bearing and in the rotational elements freeze, and the deflector stops spinning until temperature rises.
  • 2. Duralumin and metal oxide from contact with moisture. This occurs even without exposure to aggressive media.
  • 3. Snow is accumulated on the upper platform of metal deflectors, which is later transformed into heavy ice. Since this platform is too flat and snow cannot fall freely from it. Due to this issue, imbalance occurs, leading to the seat damage, which causes the entire deflector to fail.
  • 4. Metal devices have a high weight, which creates an additional load on the bearings, which results in their service life reduction. Further, the excess weight requires a stronger wind to spin, which greatly reduces the overall useful life of the deflector.
  • 5. Poor aerodynamic properties are due to the simple design of the blades of the metal models. The disadvantage of these devices is that at low wind the impeller rotates slowly and does not provide sufficient fan performance or may not start at all due to the high inertia of the impeller that cannot overcome the starting torque created by the weak wind. Further, due to the imbalance and friction of the parts against each other, these deflectors are difficult to spin up (a stronger wind is needed) and less in time. Over time, the imbalance only increases, causing a further decrease in the operating time.
  • 6. Unreliable fastening of the spherical part to the entire base is another problem. Under strong wind force, the attachments are deformed due to weak riveting and thin metal at the points of connection of the head to the base. The deflector can be detached from the seating base at all.
  • 7. Due to the design features of metal deflectors many of their parts are unbalanced and non-symmetrical as they are produced manually—there is not a single model that is completely factory-assembled nowadays. Workpieces lack accuracy a lot. That is why all the assembled metal deflectors are unbalanced and non-symmetrical. A metal deflector quite often suffers from imbalance during assembly. This prevents smooth spinning of such deflectors. Over time the imbalance deteriorates leading to deformation of the mounting seat and breakdown of an entire deflector. A deflector is completely unbalanced in relation to its axle if you spin the mounting seat separately holding the deflector body. All the gaps are uneven, deflector parts are attached in an asymmetric way and often feature poor alignment. Rivets sit unevenly in their holes and are made of too soft material. That's why vibrations reduce their rigidity too fast preventing them from keeping the initial state of the structure for a long time.
  • 8. Due to the above problems, metal deflectors require frequent maintenance in the form of lubrication of bearings and moving parts. Since the deflectors are typically positioned on the roofs, access to them is difficult, causing additional problems.
  • 9. The manufacturing time is long and complex due to many stages in the production process and a large part of the manual labor involved in the overall cycle. Also due to manual labor and use of metal in production, leads to high cost, which is exacerbated by the fact that approximately 30% of the finished parts in the production of metal deflectors are rejected, which also greatly affects the production cost and production rate.
  • 10. As a result of the initial imbalance aggravated over time the metal deflectors start producing loud noise due to friction of metal parts against each other.
  • 11. Efficiency of this model is lower than of other widely used natural ventilation systems such as of the deflector developed by the TSAGI and embodied in metal and plastic, and of various open ventilation channels.

The closest technical solution to the present invention known to the inventors is the rotary deflector (RU 194486, published on 12 Dec. 2019 in the bulletin No 35) consisting of a base, rims, blades, an axle, bearings, where both rims are made solid with sleeves and installed with the sleeves one into another that is achieved by means of projections, thus forming the top and the bottom rim that the blades are installed onto. The cover has the shape of a hemisphere, while the base, the rims with sleeves, the cover and the blades are solid parts made of cast plastic.

The disadvantage of this model is the design of rims that form an air flap upon rotation that hampers air flow from the premises to the outdoor environment. The second disadvantage is the absence of internal capturing of air by the blades that results in no additional turbulence of air inside the pipe and in no additional draught for removal of air from premises. These two disadvantages reduce the potential efficiency of deflector. Another disadvantage of this model is the prefabricated design requiring too much time for deflector assembly and imposing limitations on production rates.

A technical problem that the invention resolves is in manufacturing of a plastic rotary roof vent or turbo-deflector with the design taking care of all the disadvantages listed above.

This problem is being solved by the fact that a rotary roof vent or deflector consists of a base, an impeller, an axle holding a rotating bladed wheel, and a cover. The impeller is a solid piece that is a rim with stiffeners and blades located on its edges, and in the central part there is a hollow sleeve for installation on an axle. The blades are of convex shape, at the end of each blade there is a protrusion located at sharp angle, and at the inner surface of each blade, closer to the center there is a protrusion located at blunt angle to the blade. The blades go inside the impeller by 20% in relation to the base diameter, impeller stiffeners are arched and follow the blades contour. The cover is bulged outside, with a sleeve in the center to accommodate the axle. The base, the impeller and the cover are made of plastic.

The technical result provided by the scope of the above disclosure consists in improvement of specifications and performance and in extension of the range of technical means.

A rotary or active deflector (turbo-deflector) is installed on natural ventilation pipe outlets and is powered by the wind energy. It consumes no electric power and therefore it is economically profitable.

The product is designed for removal of exhaust air from premises to outdoor environment. The efficiency of a rotary roof vent or turbo-deflector made of ABS plastic is higher than that of the rest of natural exhaust systems, thus it increases efficiency of the whole ventilation system.

Rotary roof vent or deflector protects a ventilation channel from atmospheric precipitations and foreign objects, protects roof from condensate due to reduction of air temperature in the attic space and prevents the internal premises from overheating, reduces the amount of grease depositing on the ventilation channel walls and serves as a decoration of a ventilation channel outlet.

The technical problem addressed by the invention is to manufacture a turbo-flexor made of plastic which resolves the disadvantages of the previously deflectors.

This problem is solved by providing the rotary roof vent or deflector which comprises a base, an impeller, on which a rim with blades rotates around an axel, and a cover, the impeller is made solid and comprises a rim with stiffeners, the blades are disposed along the edges of the rim, in the central part of the rim a hollow bushing is provided for installation on the axel, wherein the blades are recessed, at the end of each blade an extension is disposed at an acute angle; and on an inner side of the blade near a central portion thereof there is provided an extension positioned at an obtuse angle with respect to the blade; the blades enter/penetrate the impeller by 20% with respect to the diameter of the base, the stiffening ribs of the impeller are arc-shaped and repeat the contour of the blades, the cover is convex/extends outwards, in the center there is a bushing for attachment to the axel. The base, the impeller and the lid are made of plastic.

The technical result provided by the above discussed structure is an improvement to technical and operational characteristics.

A rotary or an active deflector (turbo-flexor) is installed at the outlet of natural ventilation pipes and operates from wind energy. Electric power is not consumed, and therefore is resulted in high cost-effectiveness of the invented structure.

The device is designed to draw exhaust air from the inner rooms to the outside environment. The operation of the rotary deflector made of applicable plastic is more efficient than the remaining natural exhaust systems, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the entire ventilation system.

The rotary roof vent or deflector prevents the ventilation channel from ingress of atmospheric precipitation and foreign objects, protects the roof from formation of condensate by lowering the air temperature in attic spaces, prevents overheating of internal rooms, reduces fat deposits and dust content of ventilation channels, provides decorative design of the channel outlet.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to smoke removal and exhaust ventilation devices creating radial flow, specifically it relates to radial (centrifugal) fans for smoke removal and ventilation mounted on building roofs for exhaust of smoke, gases and air from building premises in case of fire or gas pollution due to natural draught. A rotary deflector consists of a base, an impeller, an axle holding a rotating bladed wheel, and a cover. The impeller is a solid piece formed as a rim with stiffeners and blades located at edges thereof. In the central part there is provided a hollow sleeve for installation on an axle. The blades are convex in shape. At at the end of each blade there is a protrusion located at an acute angle; and at the inner surface of each blade, closer to the center there is a protrusion located at an obtuse angle to the blade. The blades are inserted inside the impeller by 20% in relation to the base diameter. The impeller stiffeners are arch shaped and follow the contour of the blades. The cover is bulged outwardly, with a sleeve provided in the center to accommodate the axle. The technical result is improvement of specifications and performance characteristics, so as extension of the range of technical means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The essence of the invention is explained in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general view of a device;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the axel assembly

(according to detail A of FIG. 2);

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the impeller;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the impeller;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the base;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the base;

FIG. 8 is a general view of a blade (profile);

wherein:

• • 1—a base,
  • 2—an impeller,
  • 3—a cap/lid,
  • 4—blades,
  • 5—an axel,
  • 6—a washer,
  • 7—a bearing,
  • 8—a ring,
  • 9—stiffeners/fins/ribs,
  • 10—a bushing of the base, and
  • 11—a hub/busing of the impeller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The rotary roof vent or deflector consists of a base 1, an impeller 2 which typically rotates in one direction regardless of the wind direction, and a cover 3.

The base 1 is substantially rigid having multiple or six ribs/stiffeners 9 which are additionally interconnected to each other in the middle area by a common mounting seat. As a result, the base is rigid and non-deformable.

The base typically manufactured by casting is monolithic, substantially flat and symmetrical.

Multiple stiffeners 9 provide additional strength to the structure. In view of the reduced thickness of the stiffeners 9 and the respective edges thereof the flow capacity of the air flow/stream increases and, as a result performance of the deflector is enhanced. A mounting seat has a sleeve-shaped socket of 10 mm deep which makes the axle sit tight and perfectly vertical. In the center of the base 1 there is provided a sleeve 10 into which the hollow sleeve 11 of the impeller 2 is inserted.

An axel 5 is inserted into the sleeve of the base, which receives the sleeve 11 of the impeller 2 with the bearings 7 and the cover 3.

The impeller 2 is made solid. Thus, during the manufacturing, the productivity of the quantity per unit of time is increased. This is because, there is no step in the method of the invention requiring the blades and rims assembly. The impeller is formed as a rim with stiffening ribs. In the central part a hollow bushing/sleeve is provided for installation on the axel, with blades 4 being installed along the edges. The blades 4 are made having a recessed configuration to create and improve a sail effect.

At the end of the blade there is provided a branch/extension disposed at an acute angle and adapted to receive/face the air flow. This arrangement prevents the trapped/captured air to move further aerodynamically, so as to further increase the efficiency of the blade when capturing the wind. On the inner side of the blade 4 closer to the center there is a branch/extension disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the blade for capturing the air flow leaving the pipe/tube. The blades fit inside 20% of its length with respect to the diameter of the base.

The above discussed features of the invention create an air vacuum inside the tube, increasing drawing of air from the room. The stiffeners ribs/fins 9 are arc-shaped and repeat the contour of the blades 4, defining the direction of movement of the air flow. The stiffeners/ribs 9 are arranged in the upper part of the impeller to form a space for the passage of the air flow which leaves through the side openings unimpeded. This enhances the overall performance of the product.

Bearings 7 provide balancing and uniform torsion loading.

The cover 3 is made having a convex shape extending outwardly. This prevents snow and ice accumulation causing unbalance of the structure. By making the cover as a monolithic structure, it becomes perfectly flat, symmetrical and very strong. The multiple or six stiffener ribs 9 provided at an the inner area impart additional strength to the structure. The bushing located at the central region is adapted for the insertion of the axel. The axel is fixed from the above and from below by fasteners or bolts. From above the bolt are covered.

The cover is fixed to prevent twisting. Therefore, the weight of the rotating part is lighter, and the speed of the breakaway is improved, so as to increase the time of useful performance and during the winter reduces the chances of the deflector to be frozen.

The main elements of the rotary roof vent or deflector are made predominantly of plastic, such as polypropylene for example.

The aerodynamic cover improves the aerodynamic properties of the device, protects against precipitation, which prevents freezing of the bearing in winter due to moisture ingress.

The above-described embodiment of the deflector provides: increased service life, noiseless, increased product productivity, automated production, increased temperature mode of use, repairability, increased production speed.

The device operates in the following manner:

The wind engaging/entering the blades causes the impeller of the device to move, thereby discharging the air in the system and improving thrust. Since all parts are made of light materials, to operate the rotary deflector of the invention, it is sufficient to have the wind at a speed of 0.5 meters per second. Accordingly, the higher the speed of the wind, the higher the power of the device. The rotary deflector of the invention ensures stand-alone operation and eliminates reverse thrust.

Wind gets into blades and makes the impeller move/rotate, thus creating a vacuum in the system and raising the draught. Wind as slow as 0.5 m/s is enough for the rotary deflector to operate. This is because its parts are made from lightweight materials. Thus, the stronger the wind, the higher the power of the device. Turbo-deflector design allows autonomous operation and prevents back draught.

Thus, the rotary roof vent or deflector of the invention has the following advantages:

• • 1. Solidly cast plastic deflector is produced at a factory using molds, at production lines almost eliminating manual labor and ensuring perfect accuracy, symmetry and balance and thus smooth rotation. The above also ensures rapid and simple production, absence of defective products, availability of the product in any color by adding the color agent to the raw material, and as a result a low prime cost is assured.
  • 2. All the product parts are designed in a way to provide rigidity of the product, precise alignment of parts, absence of backlash over time and long service life.
  • 3. Rotary roof vent or deflector is designed so that to exceed in terms of characteristics all the models available on the market. And this is achieved by the well-designed aerodynamics of blades and cover, precise balancing of the structure and due to light weight. All that allows the prospective model to start spinning at lighter wind and keep running longer and at a higher speed. This provides longer aggregate time of deflector useful operation and thus much more efficient functioning of a ventilation system in general.
  • 4. The product is designed so that all the iron parts (bearings, axle, bolts) are securely covered with plastic from aggressive environmental factors. This provides long service life of metal parts and results in extended service life of a deflector as a whole because plastic doesn't change its characteristics over time. Further, protection of metal parts allows uninterrupted functioning of a deflector through the whole winter period despite that of full-metal models where moisture penetrated inside product in winter freezes and a deflector stops spinning till thaw. This also allows to avoid deflector servicing consisting in lubrication of bearings which might take much effort on the roof. Replacement of metal parts in the presented model is very simple and allows to extend service life of deflector by several times.

Claims

1.-2. (canceled)

3. A rotary roof vent, comprising a base, an impeller, an axle holding/supporting a rotating rim with blades and a cover, the impeller is a solid piece formed as a rim with stiffeners, and the blades being located at outside edges of the rim, and a hollow sleeve positioned at the central part there is for receiving an axle, the blades are formed having a convex shape, a protrusion positioned at an acute angle disposed at the end of each blade there is and at the inner surface of each blade, a protrusion disposed at obtuse angle to the blade is disposed closer to the center, the blades inserted into the impeller by 20% in relation to the base diameter, impeller stiffeners are arch shaped and follow a contour of the blades, a cover extending outwardly having a sleeve in a center thereof to accommodate the axle.

4. The rotary roof vent of claim 3, wherein the impeller and the cover are made of plastic.