Gooseneck Vent Structure for Quiet Backdraft and Pest Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern energy-efficient buildings require careful management of airflow due to tighter envelopes, leading to challenges with exhaust air flow from appliances like bathroom and kitchen fans, and dryers, which often result in unwanted air infiltration and pest entry, with existing vents being noisy, expensive, and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A durable, inexpensive exterior vent made from flexible materials like sheet metal or molded plastic with a silent flapper valve and built-in screen, designed to prevent unwanted opening and closing, and protect against pests and weather, featuring a curved airflow pathway and adaptable duct sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal flapper valve is used, then the vent is durable, but it makes noise when opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional metal flapper valve with a plastic flapper valve. While metal provides greater durability, the patent accepts the shorter lifespan of plastic material in exchange for eliminating the harmful noise generated by metal flapper operation, demonstrating the trade-off between durability and noise reduction.
2Reliability
If the flapper valve is made from metal, then it is durable, but it is expensive and easily damaged in transit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes metal flapper valves with plastic alternatives, accepting reduced durability in exchange for lower cost and improved resistance to damage during transit and installation. This principle allows the vent to be more economical and easier to handle without completely sacrificing functional reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wind or weather changes air pressure, then the flapper may open to vent air, but it causes constant chatter when the appliance is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a screen positioned in front of the flapper valve that acts as a preliminary barrier to wind and weather. This screen prevents direct air pressure changes from acting on the flapper, thereby preventing unwanted opening and closing (chatter) while still allowing the flapper to respond to legitimate exhaust air flow when the appliance is in use.
4Productivity
If the vent opening is left open to vent air, then air flow is permitted, but pests and animals can gain entry into the building
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vent opening into two functional zones: a screen portion that blocks pests and animals while allowing air to pass through, and a flapper valve portion that controls air flow. This segmentation allows the vent to simultaneously prevent pest entry and maintain air flow capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen acts as an intermediary element between the exterior environment and the building interior. It filters out harmful factors (pests and animals) while permitting the beneficial flow of air, and works in conjunction with the flapper valve to provide both protection and ventilation functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The vent effectively vents air while preventing outside air infiltration and pest entry, reducing noise and durability issues, and can be easily installed on sloped surfaces with adaptable duct connections.
Implementation Method 1
wind or weather can change the air pressure around the exterior of the vent causing the flapper to flap up and down
Implementation Method 2
The vent may include a built-in screen to limit weather and pests from impinging on the flapper valve or getting into the building through the vent
Implementation Method 3
upstanding side and end walls to define said vent opening and to form a portion of a curved air flow pathway above said vent opening
Data Source
AI summary
A goose neck style vent has a base that registers with a surface opening of a building, and upstanding walls which form a portion of a curved air flow pathway above the vent opening. A top portion of the vent registers with the base to complete the curved air flow pathway and define an air outlet opening. The top includes a screen that hinges to cover the air outlet opening. A flapper valve is positioned across the curved air flow pathway and is hinged to the base at one end. The opposite free end of the flapper valve is urged to a closed position by gravity and to an open position by air pressure from below. An upstanding air deflecting baffle extends above the free end of the flapper, and limits air gusts passing through the screen and under the free end of the flapper valve.