# US 2022/0034530 A1 · Apparatus and method for improving air quality in street canyons

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- Number: US 2022/0034530 A1
- Document ID: US20220034530A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/501,410
- Filed: 2021-10-14
- Published: 2022-02-03
- Earliest claimed: 2019-03-06
- Assignees: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahma
- Applicants: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahma
- Inventors: Lee A. Fithian
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034530A1

## CPC

- F24F 7/06: with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan {positioning of a ventilator in or against a conduit}
- E04F 13/072: composed of specially adapted, structured or shaped covering or lining elements
- F24F 5/0075: {Systems using thermal walls, e.g. double window}
- F24F 2005/0082: {Facades}
- Y02A 30/00: Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
- Y02B 30/90: Passive houses; Double facade technology
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

## Abstract

A double skin façade (DSF) for a building is disclosed. The DSF has a first façade, a second façade, and a gap extending therebetween. Movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward an upper end of the DSF, causing movement of air contaminants from a lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, and thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building. Also disclosed is a building having a DSF, and a method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon by constructing a DSF on a building.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A building having a capability of enhancing quality of the air adjacent the building, the building comprising:
a double skin façade (DSF) associated with an exterior of the building, wherein the DSF comprises:
a first façade;
a second façade facing and substantially parallel to the first façade;
an upper end;
a lower end;
a gap between the first façade and the second façade extending from the lower end to the upper end;
wherein the DSF is associated with the building such that the lower end is positioned above a base of the building, and wherein at least a portion of the lower end is open and forms an inlet to allow air adjacent to the exterior of the building to move into the gap between the first and second façades;
wherein at least a portion of the upper end is open and forms an outlet through which air and air contaminants are exhausted out to an atmosphere adjacent an upper portion of the exterior of the building; and
at least one mechanical ventilator positioned adjacent or near the upper end of the DSF and operatively connected to the upper end of the DSF; and
wherein when the at least one mechanical ventilator is in an operating mode, the at least one mechanical ventilator drives movement of air in an upward direction toward the upper end of the DSF causing movement of air contaminants from the lower end of the DSF, through the gap in the DSF, and out through the outlet of the DSF, thereby enhancing the air quality adjacent the building by removal of the air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The building of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical ventilator is a fan.

### Claim 3

A method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon, the method comprising the steps of:
constructing a double skin façade (DSF) on an exterior of a building on one side of the street canyon, wherein the DSF comprises:
a first façade;
a second façade facing and substantially parallel to the first façade;
an upper end;
a lower end;
a gap between the first façade and the second façade extending from the lower end to the upper end;
wherein the DSF is associated with the building such that the lower end is positioned above a base of the building, and wherein at least a portion of the lower end is open and forms an inlet to allow air adjacent to the exterior of the building to move into the gap between the first and second façades;
wherein at least a portion of the upper end is open and forms an outlet through which air and air contaminants are exhausted out to an atmosphere adjacent an upper portion of the exterior of the building; and
at least one mechanical ventilator positioned adjacent or near the upper end of the DSF and operatively connected to the upper end of the DSF; and
causing the at least one mechanical ventilator to be in an operational mode, whereby movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward the upper end of the DSF causing movement of air contaminants from the lower end of the DSF, through the gap in the DSF, and out the outlet of the DSF, thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one mechanical ventilator is a fan.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the street canyon has an aspect ratio of at least about 1.0.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the street canyon has an aspect ratio of at least about 1.5.