Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a structure

• US 4,363,236 A
• Filed: 04/28/1980
• Issued: 12/14/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harry W. Meyers
• Original Assignee: Harry W. Meyers
• Inventors: Meyers, Harry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOODIEL, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/144,743
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 73/38, 73/49.1, 73/49.5, 73/37
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/26 by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors

Abstract

The disclosed apparatus is intended for use in determining the breathing characteristics of a structure such as a home, office building, or business establishment. After establishing the initial breathing characteristics, it is possible through the use of disclosed apparatus to seal the structure so as to achieve breathing characteristics which are consistant with the intended use of the structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting the breathing characteristics of a structure having at least one aperture available to the atmosphere outside said structure, said apparatus comprising:

a first duct having first and second open ends, said first end opening to the atmosphere within said structure;

an evacuation means, said evacuation means having an inlet portion and an outlet portion said inlet portion of said evacuation means being in a sealed relationship with said second open end of said first duct;

a second duct having a first end, said first end being in a sealed relationship to said outlet portion of said evacuation means, and a second open end which is open to the atmosphere without said structure;

air velocity gauge means positioned approximate to said open end of said second duct; and

air gauge means for determining relative differences in pressure within and without said structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air gauge means further comprises a first atmospheric pressure inlet open to the atmosphere within said structure and a second atmospheric pressure open to the atmosphere without said structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said air gauge means further comprises a first tube open to the atmosphere within said structure and a second tube open to the atmosphere without said structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air gauge means comprises a manometer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said manometer is externally mounted on said first duct.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said evacuation means comprises a rotary blower.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air velocity gauge means comprises an anemometer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said anemometer is mounted substantially at the center of said second duct and within said second open end of said second duct.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said anemometer is removable mounted in a collar means.

10. An apparatus for detecting the breathing characteristics of a structure having at least one aperture available to the atmosphere outside structure, said apparatus comprising:

a first duct, said first duct having a first open end and a second open end;

an evacuation means, said evacuation means having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, said evacuation means having said inlet portion in a sealed relationship with the second end of said first duct;

a second duct having a first open end;

said first open end being in a sealed relationship to said outlet portion of said evacuation means, and a second open end which is in a sealed relationship with said aperture in said structure and opened to the atmosphere without said structure;

an air wind velocity gauge positioned approximate to said second open end of said second duct; and

a gauge means for establishing a difference in atmospheric pressure between the atmosphere within said structure and the atmosphere without said structure.

11. A method for detecting the flow of characteristics of atmospheric gases within a structure having at least one aperture available to the atmosphere outside said structure, said method comprising the steps of:

securing an exhausting means in said aperture;

exhausting the atmospheric gases within the structure at a rate sufficient to achieve a pressure differential between the atmosphere within and without said structure;

gauging said pressure differential with an atmospheric pressure gauge,

adjusting the rate of exhaustion to achieve a substantial equilibrium between the rate of atmosphere being exhausted from said structure and the rate of atmosphere entering said structure, and;

gauging the rate of exhaustion with an air flow gauge to determine the volume of flow.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said air flow gauge is an anemometer.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said atmospheric pressure gauge is a manometer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the rate of exhaustion is adjusted by dampening said exhausting means.

15. An apparatus for detecting the breathing characteristics of a structure having at least one aperture available to the atmosphere outside said structure, said apparatus comprising:

evacuation means having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, said inlet portion open to the atmosphere within said structure and said outlet portion open to the atmosphere without said structure;

air gauge means for determining relative differences in pressure within and without said structure, and;

air velocity gauge means positioned approximate to said outlet portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said apparatus further comprises:

air dampening means for dampening said inlet portion of said evacuation means.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said air velocity gauge means comprises an anemometer.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said anemometer is positioned substantially at the center of said outlet portion of said evacuation means.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said air velocity gauge means comprises an anemometer.

20. An apparatus for detecting the breathing characteristics of a structure having at least one aperture available to the atmosphere outside said structure, said apparatus comprising:

evacuation means having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, said inlet portion open to the atmosphere within said structure and said outlet portion open to the atmosphere without said structure;

air dampening means associated with said inlet portion;

air gauge means for determining relative differences in pressure within and without said structure; and

an air velocity gauge means positioned approximate to said outlet portion.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

adjusting the rate of exhaustion to achieve a substantial equilibrium between the rate of atmosphere being exhausted from said structure and the rate of atmosphere entering said structure.

21. A method for detecting the flow characteristics of a structure having at least one aperture available to the atmosphere outside said structure, said method comprising:

securing an exhausting means in said aperture;

exhausting the atmosphere within said structure at a rate sufficient to achieve a pressure differential between the atmosphere within and without said structure;

gauging the pressure differential between the atmosphere within and without said structure, and;

gauging the rate of exhaustion with an air flow gauge to determine the volume of flow.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the rate of exhaustion is adjusted by dampening said exhausting means.