Patent Application
20180149384
The present disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and more specifically to a wind driven rain performance, FEMA impact-rated ventilation louver.
Louvers are used to prevent egress of wind, rain, leaves, insects and other foreign materials into an HVAC system. However, existing louvers do not provide protection at levels that have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Administration, or FEMA, and hence do not meet FEMA standards for storm-resistance.
A louver is disclosed that has louver blades that include a first arcuate section, a second arcuate section serially connected to the first arcuate section and a hook extending from the intersection of the first arcuate section and the second arcuate section. Each blade is welded into the frame to provide sufficient strength and to meet FEMA standards for storm resistance.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings may be to scale, but emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:
In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures may be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Louver blade 100 includes front shield 102, which extends upwards from arcuate member 104 for a distance D1 at a first angle A. Arcuate member 104 has a first bend B and a second bend with inner radius D and outer radius E. Hook 106 extends from arcuate member 104 a distance D4 at angle C, and has an inner radius G and an outer radius H. Arcuate member 104 intersects serially with arcuate member 112, which has a bend with radius F. End pieces 108 and 110 extend from the end of arcuate member 112, to form a first enclosed space 114 and a second enclosed space 116. The overall length of louver blade 100 is D2 from front shield 102 to end piece 108, and D3 from the end of hook 106 to end piece 108. Louver blade 100 has a height of D5 from end piece 110 to hook 106. While
FEMA requirements include impact resistance, wind driver rain performance, as well as other criteria. The present disclosure provides a louver blade that has been tested to meet both the wind driven rain performance and FEMA impact. For example, the present disclosure has been tested to successfully withstand the impact of a wooden structural member having dimensions 2″ by 4″ and with various lengths at speeds of 100 MPH, and can also remove water from a simulated 8″ per hour rainfall at 50 MPH wind.
Louver blade 200 includes arcuate section 202, which intersects with hook 204 and arcuate section 206. Arcuate section 206 has a radius of curvature R2 at the point of intersection with arcuate section 202, and hook 204 has a radius of curvature of R1. Arcuate section 206 has a radius of curvature R3 at the end of louver 202 opposite arcuate section 202. Louver blade 200 has an overall length L1, and a height H1.
In one exemplary embodiment, a louver is disclosed that includes a frame and a plurality of louver blades disposed within the frame. One or more louver blades has a first arcuate section, a second arcuate section serially connected to the first arcuate section and a hook extending from the intersection of the first arcuate section and the second arcuate section. The first arcuate section of one or more louver blade can comprise a straight portion extending from an end of the first arcuate section at an angle. One or more louver blade can alternatively comprise an end section extending from an end of the second arcuate section. One or more louver blades can also include a first end section extending from an end of the second arcuate section and a second end section extending from the end of the second arcuate section. The hook of one or more louver blade extends from the intersection of the first arcuate section and the second arcuate section at an angle that is less than 90 degrees. One or more of the louver blades can further comprise a first end section extending from an end of the second arcuate section to form an enclosed space and a second end section extending from the end of the second arcuate section. One or more of the louver blades can further comprise a first end section extending from an end of the second arcuate section to form a first enclosed space and a second end section extending from the end of the second arcuate section to form a second enclosed space. The hook of one or more of the louver blades further comprises a circular radius bend. The louver blades are inserted into slots in a side structure of the frame and are then welded into position, to provide a durable accretive structure that is strengthened by each louver blade.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
