Rotatable Vent Tube Termination Fitting for Low-Pressure-Loss Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vent tube termination fittings often result in reduced fan efficiency due to excessive ductwork length, sharp bends, and improper installation, leading to increased internal friction, kinking, and interference with building features like windows or lights.
Innovation Solution
A termination fitting with a mounting bracket, vent body, damper assembly, and diffuser that allows for pre-installation adjacent to the soffit, enabling proper duct length, reducing bends, and adjustable orientation to minimize friction and interference, while also sealing the duct end from elements and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ductwork is extended to reach the farthest location, then the termination can be positioned optimally, but the duct length increases causing higher internal friction and reduced fan efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The termination fitting is pre-installed on the exterior wall before the ductwork is routed to it. This allows the termination to be positioned optimally on the wall surface, and the ductwork to be cut to the exact length needed, minimizing unnecessary duct length and internal friction while still achieving proper termination positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket includes a rotatable arm that can be adjusted to different angles and positions, allowing the termination fitting to be oriented dynamically to match the ductwork routing while maintaining optimal positioning on the wall, thus avoiding excessive duct length without compromising adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If extra duct length is left to ensure reach, then installation flexibility is improved, but the excess duct creates sharp bends and kinks that dramatically reduce fan effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
By installing the termination fitting beforehand, the exact duct length required can be determined and cut before final installation. This eliminates the need to leave excessive duct length as a safety margin, thereby preventing sharp bends and kinks that would reduce fan effectiveness while still allowing installation flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tube connects vertically to the termination fitting, then installation is simplified, but a 90 degree bend is created at the junction increasing internal friction
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket features a rotatable arm that can be adjusted to different angles, allowing the duct connection to be made at various orientations rather than being fixed vertically. This enables the duct to connect more directly to the termination without requiring sharp 90 degree bends, reducing internal friction while maintaining installation simplicity.
4Device complexity
If the termination is installed after soffit installation, then the installation sequence is simplified, but the termination location cannot be precisely controlled and may interfere with windows or lights
Solution Approach 1:
The termination fitting is installed on the exterior wall before the soffit is put in place. This preliminary installation allows the termination location to be precisely controlled and positioned to avoid interference with windows or lights. The soffit is then installed around the already-positioned termination, maintaining precise location control while managing installation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a termination fitting that is mountable adjacent to, but independent of, and before installation of, the soffit. The termination fitting has a mounting bracket, a vent body, a damper assembly and a diffuser. The mounting bracket has a base attachable to a vertical surface and a retainer that can have a generally arc shaped outer wall. The vent body has an inlet end and an outlet end. The outlet end is attachable to the retainer in a rotatable and lockable manner. The damper assembly is connected to the inlet end of the vent body and has a damper housing and a damper. The damper housing has a face that is held in an inclined place to hold the damper in the inclined plane when in a resting position. The diffuser is rotatable relative to the vent body.