Dfp w1 wall hood

Abstract

Mechanical Building Code, Section 504.1, states “Clothes dryers shall be exhausted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.”Since at least one major manufacturer required at least one of the following, they've been incorporated into this product.1. The opening must be sufficient so the exhaust flows unimpeded.2. There must be 12 inches of unobstructed outflow upon leaving the hood.3. There must be a damper.4. There must be a wildlife barrier.5. There can be NO SCREENS covering the exhaust port.Made by thermoforming ABS with a UV protectant, the DFP W1 Wall Hood is designed to fit over a standard four inch pipe where it exits a building on a vertical wall.Its opening has an area larger than a four inch pipe's. It directs airflow perpendicular to the building. Its damper flap completely covers the opening. The flap fits inside three ridges that prevent wildlife from opening the flap. No screens are used.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application incorporates by reference in its entirety and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 204,476 filed Jan. 8, 2009, by inventor Philip Charron.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention is directed to equipment venting apparatus for clothes dryers venting out an exterior, vertical wall.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Products used to shield exhaust ports are well known. But their design does not completely satisfy all requirements for clothes dryers.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0006]It is well known that an opening in a building must be protected from entry of unwanted weather elements and wildlife. Clothes dryer exhaust ducts have several unique requirements. The purpose of this invention is to supply a product that satisfies all clothes dryer manufacturer's requirements, hereby providing for maximum safety and efficiency in dryer operation.[0007]All manufacturer...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]It is well known that an opening in a building must be protected from entry of unwanted weather elements and wildlife. Clothes dryer exhaust ducts have several unique requirements. The purpose of this invention is to supply a product that satisfies all clothes dryer manufacturer's requirements, hereby providing for maximum safety and efficiency in dryer operation.

[0015]2. Where that duct exits the building, a hood is used to protect against: air entry; elements of weather and wildlife from entering the duct and gaining access to the interior. In addition to acting as an air, weather and wildlife barrier, the hood must not hinder the dryer's outflow of lint, fumes and warm, moist air.

[0017]b. In existing hoods, the damper flap can be locked into one position by lint. In the closed or nearly closed position, lint build up is accelerated and exhaust may be forced into a home.

[0018]c. When the wildlife barrier is absent or easily defeated, animals can build nests in the duct, this greatly accelerates lint build up and can force exhaust air into the interior of the home.

[0023]A cover prevents weather elements from entering the wall hood.

Problems solved by technology

The reasons for these requirements are for fire safety, health and structural integrity.1. The lint that clothes dryers produce, if left unattended, can lead to significant clogging of exhaust ducts.

Improper venting and lack of thorough cleaning have made clothes dryers a leading appliance cause of home fires.2. Flimsy venting material and loose connections allow lint, fumes and warm moist air into the interior of homes.

Lint is a common cause of allergies.

Fumes, especially those from gas dryers, can cause illness.

Warm moist air can cause mold to grow on and in the walls.

Mold can cause illness.3. Mold can also cause serious structural damage.4. Structural damage can also occur when lint clogs cause water to condense in the duct.

This condensation has caused wood rot in roofs and wall studs.

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