Louver assembly

Abstract

A louver assembly for placement in an opening for regulating the inlet of air includes a first blade stack having a plurality of elongated blades mounted within a frame having an upper frame member and a lower frame member, the lower frame member defining a sill, and a windbreak positioned adjacent to a front face of the louver assembly and extending from a point above the sill to a point below the sill. The windbreak is configured to divert wind at the front face of the louver assembly above the sill to facilitate draining of water from the louver assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to louver assemblies that helps regulate the inlet of outside ambient air and, more particularly, to a louver assembly which inhibits air-born particulates such as rain droplets that are entrained in the ambient air from passing through the lover assembly and into the building or enclosure with which the louver assembly is associated.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Ventilation / HVAC systems for buildings and other enclosures are well known in the art. A core component of many ventilation systems is the need to regulate the influx of outside ambient air. One aspect of this regulation is the desired ability to prevent particulate matter from entering the ventilation system along with the outside ambient air, and louver assemblies have therefore been traditionally utilized to help control the flow of ambient air and any entrained particulate matter.[0003]Recent natural disasters and code modifications have placed large...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a louver assembly that allows air to flow through while also allowing water to drain out. This is particularly useful in situations where there is a lot of water accumulation and wind is blowing. The louver assembly is designed to meet the stringent requirements of the Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade County Building Code, including high volume flow rate, impact resistance, water penetration protection, and high wind-loads. The louver assembly includes a blade stack and a windbreak that helps divert wind away from the front of the louver assembly, allowing water to drain out of it.

Problems solved by technology

Recent natural disasters and code modifications have placed larger burdens on the performance of louver assemblies that are integrated into various ventilation systems.

Buildings in areas of the world that are especially prone to hurricanes, however, face much tougher problems with the design of louvers.

Sustained, direct, positive airflow due to wind at the front face of the louver, however, may inhibit draining of the captured rainwater, and in some situations may actually push accumulated water through the lover and into the building.

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