Attic ventilation system

Abstract

An apparatus to ventilate attic space of a structure such as a home or building is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible air sealer and a fan housing unit. The apparatus is connected to trusses or rafters of the structure. The apparatus is placed directly below a roof vent, with the air sealer creating a seal between the fan housing and the roof vent. The air sealer supports propeller fans located in the fan housing. The airflow caused by the fan directs air into the flexible air sealer, through the openings of the roof vent, and out of the attic space. The apparatus may further include adjustable truss connectors that are removably attached to the air sealer and the trusses to allow the apparatus to be installed between variably spaced rafters.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 546,709 entitled “Roof Vent Attic Ventilation Fan” and filed Feb. 23, 2004. The disclosure of the above-mentioned provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a ventilation system and, in particular, to an attic ventilation fan operable to remove heated air from the attic space of a building. BACKGROUND [0003] The purpose of attic ventilation fans is to remove heated air from the attic space of a building. The attic space typically includes the space below the roof a building, but above the ceiling of an occupied space below. This space, by virtue of its location in the building, traps heated air. For example, in the summer, the sun shining on the roof of a structure causes temperatures inside an attic to reach temperatures as high as 150° Fahrenheit. As a res...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Therefore, in light of the above, and for other reasons that become apparent when the invention is described, an object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system capable of ventilating the attic space using a simple efficient design, that is both easy to manufacture and easy to install.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a ventilation system is provided including a novel design utilizing inexpensive materials along with existing passive roof vents to exhaust the heated attic air. A roof vent opening is typically located at or near the highest part of the attic to allow the hottest attic air to escape. The ventilation system of the present invention is placed inside the attic, directly underneath the roof vent opening. The ventilation system includes a fan housing and an air sealer in fluid communication with the vent. The air sealer creates a seal between the fan housing and the inside of the roof. The air sealer also acts as an air diverter, directing the air toward the vent. The air sealer may be constructed of flexible material such as a woven fabric (e.g., canvas). The fan, supported by the air sealer, may comprise inexpensive propeller fans positioned under the roof opening. The fan is configured to generate airflow that forces the hot attic air into the air sealer and out of the attic (via the roof vent opening). Adjustable connectors may be used to mount the ventilation system to rafters or trusses supporting the roof of a building. The adjustable rafter connectors and the flexible nature of the air sealer enable the ventilation system to be quickly modified for installation between variably spaced rafters. Once the ventilation system is mounted and powered, a positive air flow is created that forces heated attic air out of the roof vent, while drawing cooler, outside air is into the attic (e.g., via soffits or other external attic openings). The fan of the ventilation system may be externally powered and, optionally, controlled by common control devices such as variable speed fans, a thermostat, and / or a humidistat.

Problems solved by technology

Insulation, however, is only partially effective in preventing the flow of heated air from the attic to the cooler, occupied space below.

These higher temperatures cause uncomfortable living conditions, as well as add wear and tear on air conditioning units, which must run continuously to keep occupied spaces cool.

In addition, roofing material such as shingles literally bake from the inside, causing the shingles to crack and age prematurely.

Unfortunately, convection requires the attic air to be very hot before convection naturally occurs.

The air movement using this system is, however, ineffective.

The removal of the heated attic air utilizing attic fans reduces attic temperatures, thus resulting in lower temperatures in adjacent spaces.

This type of attic fan requires cutting a hole in the roof, thereby introducing the possibility of leaks.

If the attic fan was installed in a roof that was already shingled, the sealed shingles would have to be torn to make room for the attic fan flashing, increasing the likelihood of leaks.

In addition, the whole installation process is complicated and time consuming.

Although it is not necessary to cut a hole in the roof to mount this invention, there is an economically fatal drawback.

This invention is a very complex arrangement, making it expensive to produce and difficult to install.

It would be significantly more complicated and more expensive than a traditional attic fan.

This would make it prohibitively expensive to bring to market.

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