Louver assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Louver assemblies in hurricane zones face challenges in preventing wind-driven rain from entering buildings, as existing designs fail to effectively drain accumulated water during high-velocity winds, leading to water infiltration issues that do not meet stringent building codes like the Florida Building Code and AMCA 550 standards.
Innovation Solution
A louver assembly design featuring a first blade stack with a windbreak positioned above the sill, an air deflection shield, and a drain pan configuration that allows water to drain while diverting wind, preventing wind pressure from pushing water back into the building, thereby enhancing water drainage and resistance to wind-driven rain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional serpentine-shaped air passageways with curved blades are used, then air flow regulation is improved, but wind-driven rain can still pass through during high-velocity winds
Solution Approach 1:
The louver assembly is divided into multiple blade stacks arranged in series, each creating additional turns in the air passageway. This segmentation increases the number of serpentine contours, making it progressively more difficult for water particles to follow the path through the assembly, while still allowing air to pass through efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to water drainage by incorporating drain pans at the bottom of each blade stack and a windbreak extending below the sill. This creates a dedicated drainage pathway that separates water removal from air flow, allowing water to drain vertically downward while air continues its horizontal serpentine path.
2Productivity
If louver assemblies are designed for high air flow, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but water drainage capability during high-velocity winds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple blade stacks are arranged in series to create extended serpentine air passageways. This segmentation allows air to flow through multiple controlled paths, maintaining ventilation efficiency while progressively removing water particles at each stage through the curved contours and dedicated drainage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical drainage dimension with drain pans and windbreaks extending below the sill. This adds a third dimension (vertical drainage) to the traditionally horizontal air flow path, allowing water to be removed vertically while air continues its horizontal serpentine journey, thus solving the conflict between air flow and water drainage.
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 design effectively minimizes water accumulation and push-through during high-velocity winds, meeting stringent building codes and standards for wind-driven rain resistance, ensuring efficient air flow and water drainage even under direct, sustained wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
The drain pan is configured to accumulate water draining from the blades and drain the accumulated water to the front face of the louver assembly
Implementation Method 3
When air passes into the building through the air passageways of the louver assembly, the water particles in the air, which are heavier than the gas molecules in the air, cannot turn through the serpentine-shaped contours in the air passageways. The water molecules therefore strike the walls of the blades, agglomerate into drops and flow by gravity down the blades
Data Source
AI summary
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.