Powered Ridge Vent Assembly for Low-Power Attic Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ridge vent systems for gable roofs lack an efficient and affordable powered forced air ventilation solution that is easily installable by common roofers, operates with minimal electrical power, and is compatible with roofs having or without central ridge beams, especially when robust convection is not driven by hot attic air.
Innovation Solution
A ridge vent system with a powered blower assembly that includes a housing with a tangential impeller and adjustable throat, baffles for secure installation, and the option to use solar power, allowing for efficient air flow and easy installation on various roof pitches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a powered fan or blower is mounted beneath a ridge vent to force attic air through the vent, then ventilation is improved when convection is insufficient, but the system becomes more expensive and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The blower unit is nested within an existing roof structure component (the ridge vent assembly), allowing the powered ventilation system to be integrated into the existing roof design without requiring separate mounting structures or complex installations. The blower fits within the ridge vent cavity, utilizing the existing space and structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-installing by common roofers or carpenters using standard roofing materials and techniques. The blower unit integrates with the ridge vent and roof structure in a way that allows installation during normal roofing work without requiring specialized HVAC installation skills or additional structural modifications.
2Productivity
If a powered fan or blower is mounted beneath a ridge vent, then air flow in cubic feet per minute is enhanced, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower unit is designed with variable speed operation capability, allowing the motor speed and air flow rate to be adjusted based on actual ventilation needs. This enables the system to operate at lower power consumption levels during periods when maximum ventilation is not required, while still providing enhanced air flow when needed compared to passive convection alone.
3Reliability
If a powered fan or blower is mounted beneath a ridge vent, then ventilation reliability is improved, but the system becomes less affordable
Solution Approach 1:
The blower unit is designed to be a cost-effective, readily replaceable component that can be installed using standard roofing materials. The system prioritizes affordability and ease of replacement over long-term durability, allowing homeowners to maintain reliable ventilation without significant financial investment. The simplicity of the design reduces manufacturing costs and makes the system accessible to a broader market.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a powered fan or blower is mounted beneath a ridge vent, then the system becomes more adaptable to different roof configurations, but installation difficulty increases for roofs with central ridge beams
Solution Approach 1:
The blower unit is designed as a modular, segmented component that can be adapted to different roof configurations including those with central ridge beams. The unit can be divided into sections or adjusted in orientation to fit various structural arrangements, allowing installation on gable roofs, hip roofs, and roofs with ridge beams without requiring custom-designed systems for each configuration.
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 system provides reliable, efficient attic ventilation with enhanced airflow, consuming minimal electrical power and being affordable and easily installable, while being compatible with roofs having or without central ridge beams.
Implementation Method 1
A tangential impeller is rotatably disposed within the shroud and an electric motor, which may be inside the housing or outside the housing, is coupled to the impeller. Application of electrical voltage to the motor, which may be supplied by solar panels or a home electrical service, spins the impeller. This causes air to be drawn in through the inlet of the shroud and expelled through the throat and out the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
Application of electrical voltage to the motor, which may be supplied by solar panels or a home electrical service, spins the impeller.
Implementation Method 3
The ridge vent is configured to define a flow path for hot and/or humid attic air to exit the attic through the ridge slot and ridge vent, while preventing rainwater, snow, and insects from entering the attic. Hot attic air flows by convection through the ridge slot, through the space between the panel and the roof deck, and is expelled through the vents.
Data Source
AI summary
A ridge vent with powered forced air ventilation is configured to be installed along the ridge of a roof covering an elongated ridge slot on either side of the ridge. A blower is mounted in a blower opening formed at a predetermined location along the ridge vent on one side of the ridge and includes a blower housing forming an inlet within the attic and an outlet oriented to force air upwardly through the vent slot to be expelled through the ridge vent. A pair of baffles are hingedly secured to the blower housing adjacent its outlet and can be attached to a roof deck to secure the blower and help to isolate its outlet from the attic space below. An impeller is disposed in the housing and is driven by an electric motor.