Lighting and ventilating apparatus and method

• US 7,175,309 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broan-Nutone LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Broan-Nutone LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Karst, Daniel L., Craw, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US10/714,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20050117341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/149, 362/253, 362/294, 362/345, 362/373, 362364-365
• US Class Current: 362/253
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/673 the fans being used for intake
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0092 with heating or cooling devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/078 combined with lighting fixtures

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus for installation in a structure. The apparatus can include a main housing having a first aperture that defines a ventilating inlet and a lighting outlet, a lamp housing recessed within the main housing, having first and second apertures spaced a distance from one another, and having a portion that extends outside of the main housing, and a lamp recessed within the lamp housing and the main housing. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fan positioned to draw air into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and through the second aperture of the lamp housing. In another aspect of the invention, a method of lighting and ventilating a room using a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus is provided.

Claims

1. A combination lighting and ventilating apparatus for installation in a structure having a surface, the apparatus comprising:

a main housing having a top and a sidewall and a first aperture, the aperture defining a ventilating inlet and a lighting outlet;

a lamp housing substantially recessed within the main housing, the lamp housing having first and second apertures spaced a distance from one another, the lamp housing having a portion extending outside of the main housing;

a lamp recessed within the lamp housing and the main housing;

a fan unit positioned on the sidewall to draw air from an area to be ventilated into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and through the second aperture of the lamp housing, the second aperture positioned to direct air away from the area to be ventilated; and

a flange substantially continuously coupled to the portion of the lamp housing extending outside of the main housing, the flange substantially continuously engaging the surface-of the structure.

2. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the lamp housing has a circular cross-section; and

the flange is annular in shape.

3. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp housing includes a light baffle.

4. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp housing has at least one outwardly-bowed wall presenting a concave wall shape to the lamp in the lamp housing.

5. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan unit is located outside of the main housing.

6. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp housing is dimensioned to be received with the first aperture of the main housing.

7. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp has a first end and a second end, the first and second ends of the lamp both being recessed with respect to the surface of the structure.

8. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a motor drivably coupled to the fan unit, the motor located within the main housing.

9. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp has an external surface, the lamp housing and the external surface of the lamp defining an air passageway through which air passes from the first aperture of the lamp housing to the second aperture of the lamp housing and into the main housing.

10. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp housing, the flange, and the surface of the structure conceal the main housing.

11. The combination lighting and ventilating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ratio exists between a first diameter of the first aperture of the lamp housing and a second diameter of the second aperture of the lamp housing, the ratio being between approximately 1.1 to 1 and approximately 3 to 1.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising positioning the flange and the lamp housing with respect to the surface of the structure to conceal the main housing.

13. A method of lighting and ventilating a room using a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus, the combination lighting and ventilating apparatus having a main housing including a top and a sidewall and a first aperture, a lamp housing, a lamp, and a fan unit, the method comprising:

substantially recessing the lamp housing inside the main housing and through the first aperture to define a recessed lamp housing portion and a protruding lamp housing portion positioned outside the main housing, wherein the recessed lamp housing portion is substantially larger than the protruding lamp housing portion;

positioning the lamp within the lamp housing and main housing to define a recessed lamp, the recessed lamp having an exterior surface exposed to air moved by the apparatus;

illuminating the room with the lamp;

driving the fan unit to draw air from the room into the recessed lamp housing and around the exterior surface of the recessed lamp, wherein the fan unit is positioned on the sidewall;

moving the air drawn around the lamp into the main housing; and

venting the air from the main housing to a position outside of the room.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the driving the fan unit is performed independently of illuminating the room.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising mounting the combination lighting and ventilating apparatus to a mounting surface, wherein the main housing is recessed with respect to the mounting surface.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lamp has a first end and a second end, the method further comprising positioning the lamp within the lamp housing such that the first and second ends of the lamp are recessed with respect to the mounting surface.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein moving the air drawn around the lamp into the main housing comprises drawing air through the first aperture of the main housing.

18. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

the lamp housing has a first aperture and a second aperture; and

driving the fan unit to draw air from the room includes driving the fan unit to draw air into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the exterior surface of the lamp, and into and through the second aperture of the lamp housing.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein driving the fan unit to draw air from the room includes drawing air past walls of the lamp housing having a concave cross-sectional shape taken along an axis of revolution of the lamp housing.

20. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein substantially recessing the lamp housing inside the main housing includes coupling the lamp housing to the main housing with a spring.

21. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein driving the fan unit includes driving a motor located within the main housing to drive the fan unit.

22. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein driving the fan unit includes driving a fan unit located outside of the main housing.

23. An apparatus for lighting and ventilating a room having a mounting surface for the lighting and ventilating apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a main housing recessed with respect to the mounting surface and having a top and a sidewall and a first aperture, the first aperture defining a ventilating inlet through which air is drawn into the main housing and a lighting outlet;

a lamp housing substantially recessed within the main housing, the lamp housing having a portion that extends beyond the first aperture and outside of the main housing;

a lamp positioned within the lamp housing and recessed with respect to the mounting surface;

a fan unit positioned on the sidewall to draw air from an area to be ventilated, into the lamp housing, around the lamp, and through the main housing to a position outside of the area to be ventilated; and

a flange substantially continuously engaging the mounting surface and substantially continuously coupled to the portion of the lamp housing that extends beyond the first aperture of the main housing.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lamp is recessed within the lamp housing and the main housing.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lamp has an exterior surface in fluid communication with air drawn into the lamp housing by the fan unit.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a motor positioned within the main housing and drivably coupled to the fan unit.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lamp housing has a first aperture and a second aperture opposite the first aperture.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein:

the first and second apertures of the lamp housing are axially aligned;

the first aperture of the lamp housing is smaller than the second aperture of the lamp housing; and

the lamp and the lamp housing define an air passageway therebetween, the air passageway extending between the first and second apertures.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fan unit is positioned to draw air into the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and into the second aperture of the lamp housing.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lamp housing has a generally frusto-conical shape with outwardly-bulging walls.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

the flange is an annular flange; and

the lamp housing has a circular cross-sectional shape.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lamp housing, the flange, and the surface of the structure conceal the main housing.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein a ratio exists between a first diameter of the first aperture of the lamp housing and a second diameter of the second aperture of the lamp housing, the ratio being between approximately 1.1 to 1 and approximately 3 to 1.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, further comprising positioning the flange and the lamp housing with respect to the surface of the structure to conceal the main housing.

35. A method for illuminating and ventilating a room, the room comprising a mounting surface, the method comprising:

providing an illuminating and ventilating apparatus recessed within the mounting surface, the apparatus comprising a main housing including a top and a sidewall and a first aperture, a lamp housing, a lamp having a first end and a second end, and a fan unit positioned on the sidewall;

substantially recessing the lamp housing inside the main housing and through the first aperture to define a recessed lamp housing portion and a protruding lamp housing portion positioned outside the main housing, wherein the recessed lamp housing portion is substantially larger than the protruding lamp housing portion;

positioning the lamp within the lamp housing such that the first end of the lamp and the second end of the lamp are recessed within the mounting surface;

illuminating the room with the lamp; and

driving the fan unit to move air into the lamp housing, around the lamp, and into the main housing.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising moving air into a bowl-shaped structure defined by walls of the lamp housing.

37. The method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising positioning a flange adjacent the mounting surface, the flange engaged with the portion of the lamp housing that extends outside of the main housing.

38. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein positioning the lamp within the lamp housing includes positioning the lamp within the lamp housing and the main housing.

39. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the lamp has an exterior surface, and wherein positioning the lamp includes positioning the lamp within the lamp housing such that the lamp exterior surface is in fluid communication with air drawn into the lamp housing.

40. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the first aperture is adjacent the portion of the lamp housing that extends outside of the main housing, the method further comprising ventilating the room via the main housing first aperture.

41. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein driving the fan unit includes driving a motor positioned within the main housing.

42. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein driving the fan includes driving a fan unit located outside the main housing.

43. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the lamp housing includes a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein driving the fan unit includes driving the fan unit to draw air into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and into and through the second aperture of the lamp housing.