APPARATUS COMPRISING A ROOF PANEL AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE ROOF PANEL

• US 20190323232A1
• Filed: 10/25/2018
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panel Uk Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Voltex Products Limited
• Inventors: Mitchell, Nigel
• Granted Patent: US 10,988,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3483 the supporting structure consisting of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/163 characterised by a pivoting movement of the movable roof parts E04B7/166 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/001 characterised by provisions for heat or sound insulation
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/003 with movable parts, e.g. pivoting panels, access doors
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/02 having means for ventilation or vapour discharge
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/10 collapsible or extensible; metallic Florentine blinds; awnings with movable parts such as louvres; shutters E06B9/04; louvre windows E06B7/08
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 1/125 Small buildings, arranged in other buildings E04H1/1272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising a roof panel (20) and control system (14), the roof panel comprising one or more cover portions that are moveable between open and closed positions for opening and closing the roof panel. The control system comprises an actuator (40) for moving the cover portions between the open and closed positions, a mains power supply input, and an emergency power store. The control system is configured to receive one or more signals indicative of an emergency, to power the actuator from the mains power supply when the signals indicate there is no emergency, and to power the actuator from the emergency power store when the signals indicate there is an emergency.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a roof panel and control system, the roof panel comprising one or more cover portions that are moveable between open and closed positions for opening and closing the roof panel, the control system comprising an actuator for moving the cover portions between the open and closed positions, a mains power supply input, and an emergency power store, wherein the control system is configured to receive one or more signals indicative of an emergency, to power the actuator from the mains power supply when the signals indicate there is no emergency, and to power the actuator from the emergency power store when the signals indicate there is an emergency.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a voltage of the emergency power store, to automatically move the cover portions to the open position if the voltage falls below a threshold, and to keep the cover portions in the open position for as long as the voltage remains below the threshold.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to power the actuator from the emergency battery only when the cover portions are moved from the closed to the open positions, and never when the cover portions are moved from the open to the closed positions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises an emergency input for receiving the signals indicative of an emergency, for example from a fire alarm system or evacuation alert system.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mains power supply is one of the signals, and wherein the mains power supply is considered by the control system to indicate an emergency when no power is received from it.

6. The apparatus of any claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a user- actuable control point, and wherein the control system powers the actuator to move the cover portions to the open positions when the user-actuable control point is actuated by a user.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control system is configured to power the actuator to move the cover portions to the closed positions a preset length of time after actuation of the user-actuable control point by a user.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control system comprises a slider which is slidable to set the preset length of time.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the user-actuable control point comprises a button which is actuable to power the actuator to move the cover portions to the open positions, and the user-actuable control point further comprises the slider.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electric actuator which electrically powers the movement of the cover portions from the open to the closed positions, and from the closed to the open positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to power the actuator from the emergency power store to move the cover portions to the open positions when the signals indicate there is an emergency.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover portions comprise a plurality of slats which are rotatable to open and close the roof panel.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each slat comprises a sound insulation layer and a support layer on which the sound insulation layer is mounted.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the emergency power store is a rechargeable battery, and wherein the control system is configured to recharge the rechargeable battery from the mains power supply.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a controller that receives the one or more signals indicative of an emergency, and controls the powering of the actuator from the mains power supply and emergency power store.