Method and apparatus for designing a distribution system for a building
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for designing a distribution system and producing a layout of the system for a building or a portion of a building, the method comprising in combination the steps of:
- (a) storing, in digital form in first memory means, generic dimensional requirements of elements from which distribution systems can be constructed;
(b) storing, in digital form in second memory means, requirement of at least one building standard from which distribution systems can be evaluated;
(c) entering input data into a computer operatively connected to the first and second memory means, the input data including the location and dimensions of building elements and adjuncts of the building;
(d) identifying the requirements of at least one building standard stored in the second memory means to be used;
(e) dividing the building into a plurality of sections based on the input data; and
(f) electronically designing a layout from the distribution system in each section using the generic dimensional requirements of the elements stored in the first memory means, the layout being designed to comply with the requirements of the at least one building standard.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for designing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer'"'"'s memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user selects the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user selected standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system.
73 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for designing a distribution system and producing a layout of the system for a building or a portion of a building, the method comprising in combination the steps of:
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(a) storing, in digital form in first memory means, generic dimensional requirements of elements from which distribution systems can be constructed; (b) storing, in digital form in second memory means, requirement of at least one building standard from which distribution systems can be evaluated; (c) entering input data into a computer operatively connected to the first and second memory means, the input data including the location and dimensions of building elements and adjuncts of the building; (d) identifying the requirements of at least one building standard stored in the second memory means to be used; (e) dividing the building into a plurality of sections based on the input data; and (f) electronically designing a layout from the distribution system in each section using the generic dimensional requirements of the elements stored in the first memory means, the layout being designed to comply with the requirements of the at least one building standard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for designing a distribution system and producing a layout of the system for a building or a portion of a building, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) first memory means for storing in digital form generic dimensional requirements of elements from which the distribution system can be constructed; (b) second memory means for storing in digital form requirements of at least one building standard from which the distribution system can be evaluated; (c) means for entering input data into a computer operatively connected to the first and second memory means, the input data including the location and dimensions of building elements and adjuncts of the building; means for identifying the requirement of at least one building standard stored in the second memory means to be used; (e) means for dividing the building into a plurality of sections based on the input data; and (f) means for electronically designing a layout for the distribution system in each section to comply with the selected building standard. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification