Attic ventilation control system

• US 4,251,026 A
• Filed: 12/05/1979
• Issued: 02/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Butler Ventamatic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Butler Ventamatic Corporation
• Inventors: Siegel, Jeffrey I., Shank, Richard E., Siegel, Howell T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Makay, Albert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tapolcai, Jr., William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/966,651
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49, 236/46 R, 98/43 A, 98/43 PS, 417/32, 417/12, 417/17
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A control system for use with an attic ventilation fan operates to reduce heat buildup during the summer months and also to prevent frost buildup during the winter months by eliminating the cold, moisture-laden, air from the attic. A summer control unit is provided to eliminate the hot air and a winter control unit operates without the need of a humidistat to evacuate the moisture laden cold air during the winter months.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling an electrically powered exhaust fan over a broad range of summer and winter temperature conditions, said control system coupling the exhaust fan with an electrical power source, said control system comprising:

a first thermostatic control means for electrically coupling said electrical power source to said exhaust fan without periodic interruption when the temperature exceeds a first predetermined temperature;

a second thermostatic control means for periodically electrically coupling said electrical power source to said exhaust fan only when the temperature falls below a second predetermined temperature, said second thermostatic control means comprising a thermostat, an electrically-powered percentage timing means for repetitively timing a preselected time interval in a predetermined time period, said thermostat coupled with said percentage timing means to provide electrical power from said electrical power source to said percentage timing means only when the temperature falls below said second predetermined temperature, and means for coupling said percentage timing means to said exhaust fan to electrically couple said exhaust fan to said electrical power source during said preselected time interval.

2. A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first thermostatic control means comprises an "off-type" thermostat which turns "off" at said first predetermined temperature to decouple said electrical power source from said exhaust fan.

3. A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermostat of said second thermostatic control means comprises an "on-type" thermostat which turns "on" at said second predetermined temperature to couple said electrical power source to said percentage timing means.

4. A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second thermostatic control means are encased within a unitary enclosure.

5. Apparatus for ventilating a closed area subject to a broad range of summer and winter temperature conditions to evacuate hot air in the closed area to cool the closed area, and to evacuate moisture-laden cold air in the closed area to avoid ice and moisture accumulation in the closed area, the apparatus comprising:

an electrically powered fan means for drawing air from within a closed area to the outside of a closed area;

an electrical power source for providing electrical power to said fan means to operate same;

hot air evacuation control means for controlling the evacuation of hot air from said closed area, said hot air evacuation control means comprising a first thermostatic control means for electrically coupling said electrical power source to said fan means without periodic interruption when the temperature in the closed area exceeds a first predetermined temperature;

moisture-laden cold air evacuation control means for controlling the evacuation of cold air from said closed area, said cold air evacuation control means comprising a second thermostatic control means for periodically electrically coupling said electrical power source to said fan means only when the temperature falls below a second predetermined temperature, said second thermostatic control means comprising a thermostat, an electrically-powered percentage timing means for repetitively timing a preselected time interval in a predetermined time period, said thermostat coupled between said electrical power source and said percentage timing means to provide electrical power from said electrical power source to said percentage timing means only when the temperature falls below said second predetermined temperature, and means for coupling said percentage timing means to said fan means to electrically couple said fan means to said electrical power source during said preselected time interval.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first thermostatic control means comprises an "off-type" thermostat which turns "off" at said first predetermined temperature to decouple said electrical power source from said fan means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said thermostat of said second thermostatic control means comprises an "on-type" thermostat which turns "on" at said second predetermined temperature to couple said electrical power source to said percentage timing means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first and second thermostatic control means are encased within a unitary enclosure.