Green dynamic shading system for improving energy efficiency in buildings

• US 10,526,770 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fatemeh Khodabandehamiri, Masoud Valinejadshoubi
• Original Assignee: Fatemeh Khodabandehamiri, Masoud Valinejadshoubi
• Inventors: Valinejadshoubi, Masoud, Khodabandehamiri, Fatemeh
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner, Brian E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barlow, Adam G
• Application Number:
  US15/712,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20180073221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 52 1, 525731, 5278222, 5278223, 527841, 527911
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/02 Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes self-acting watering devices A01G27/00; hanging flower baskets, holders or containers for flower-pots A47G7/00; Glasses for cultivating flowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/12 Supports for plants; Trellis for strawberries or the like trellis-work for vines A01G17/06; stays for trees, props for vines A01G17/14
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 3/03 Special vessels for collecting or storing rain-water for use in the household, e.g. water-butts containers for storage, in general, B65D
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/0023 Building characterised by incorporated canalisations E04B1/34869 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/7645 with ventilation means for the insulation
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/02 of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2452 moving independently
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2482 Special shape
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/02 for providing ventilation, e.g. through double windows; Arrangement of ventilation roses airflow control members per se F24F13/08
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/14 Measures for draining-off condensed water or water leaking-in frame members for draining off condensation water, throats at the bottom of a sash
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use

Abstract

An environmental system is disclosed. The environmental system is configured to provide varying degrees of ventilation and shading. In addition, the environmental system can include provisions for collecting rainwater and holding greenery. The system can includes a mounting structure, a set of frames, a plurality of bars, skins, beams, and optionally one or more plants.

Claims

1. A ventilation system for a building, the system comprising:

a mounting structure including a first frame; and

a first skin being mounted onto the first frame, wherein;

the first skin includes a plurality of openings, and

the plurality of openings includes a first opening that is configured to change in size,

the first opening has a first size when the first skin is at a first temperature, and the first opening transitions to a smaller, second size when the first skin is at a second temperature, and

the second temperature is different from the first temperature, wherein;

the mounting structure further includes a second frame, the second frame being spaced apart from the first frame by at least a first bar,

a second skin is mounted on the second frame, and the second skin is substantially similar to the first skin, and

the ventilation system further includes a rainwater collection apparatus being disposed between the first skin and the second skin, the rainwater collection apparatus including a first receptacle configured to store water.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first opening returns to the first size when the first skin is at the first temperature again.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first skin includes a shape memory alloy material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings is configured to change in size automatically in response to changes in temperature.

6. The system of claim 1, further including a second receptacle configured to support a living plant.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first skin has a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein a surface area of the first skin is larger in the open configuration relative to the closed configuration.

8. A shading system for a building, the system comprising:

a mounting structure including a first frame and a second frame, the first frame and the second frame being substantially parallel to one another;

a first skin being mounted onto the first frame;

a second skin being mounted onto the second frame; and

a first motor assembly being disposed between the first skin and the second skin, wherein;

the first motor assembly includes a first motor and a first coil,

the first motor assembly is configured to transition the first skin between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and

a surface area of the first skin is greater in the open configuration than the closed configuration.

9. The system of claim 8, further including a second motor assembly, the second motor assembly including a second motor and a second coil, the second motor assembly being configured to transition the second skin between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first motor assembly and the second motor assembly operate independently of one another.

11. The system of claim 8, further including a programmable circuit arranged to automatically operate the first motor assembly.

12. The system of claim 8, further including a programmable circuit arranged to operate the first motor assembly in response to a command signal received from a remote station.

13. The system of claim 8, the first skin including a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being configured to provide additional ventilation in the open configuration.

14. The system of claim 13, the plurality of openings including a first opening that is configured to change in size, wherein the first opening has a first size when the first skin is at a first temperature, wherein the first opening transitions to a smaller, second size when the first skin is at a second temperature, and wherein the second temperature is different from the first temperature.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first skin includes a shape memory alloy material.

16. The system of claim 8, further including a rainwater collection apparatus being disposed between the first skin and the second skin, the rainwater collection apparatus including a first receptacle configured to store water.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the first skin includes a substantially hourglass shape in the closed configuration and a substantially stretched, flat shape in the open configuration.