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US 7,247,090 B2Granted
System and method for inhibiting moisture and mold in an outer wall of a structure
OwnerSam S. Vacekinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structure comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall section and an outer wall section with an air flow passage therebetween. A circulation system circulates air through the flow passage to inhibit moisture accumulation and mold growth. A sensing system determines the presence of moisture in the flow passage and generates a signal in response thereto. A controller receives the signal from the sensing system and controls the circulation system to maintain a predetermined temperature and relative humidity in the flow passage.
Claims20
A structure comprising:
- at least one outer wall, said outer wall further comprising:
- an un-insulated internal wall section and an insulated external wall section, said internal wall section and said external wall section defining an air flow passage therebetween, said air flow passage channeling a conditioned air flow in-between and substantially parallel to said internal wall section and said external wall section and allowing the conditioned air to exit to an outside environment;
- an open space adjacent the inner wall;
- and
- an air circulation system within the structure providing the conditioned air flow through the open space and into the air flow passage to inhibit moisture on the internal wall section, wherein the air circulation system creates a positive air pressure in at least a portion of the structure to cause at least some of said airflow to flow through the air flow passage, wherein the air circulation system comprises at least one of (i) a central mechanical air cooling device, (ii) a heating element, and (iii) a humidity control device, and wherein the air circulation system maintains the air temperature in the air flow passage at substantially the same temperature as the air in the open space.
2 more elements
An enclosed structure comprising:
- at least one outer wall that includes
- an un-insulated internal wall section and an insulated external wall section, said internal wall section and said external wall section defining an air flow passage therebetween said air flow passage channeling a conditioned air flow in-between and substantially parallel to said internal wall section and said external wall section and allowing the conditioned air to exit to an outside environment;
- an open space adjacent the inner wall;
- and
- an air circulation system within the structure providing the conditioned air flow through the open space and into the air flow passage to inhibit moisture on the internal wall section, wherein the air circulation system creates a positive air pressure in at least a portion of the structure to cause at least some of said airflow to flow through the air flow passage, wherein the air circulation system comprises at least one of (i) a central mechanical air cooling device, (ii) a heating element, and (iii) a humidity control device;
- at least one sensor for generating a signal indicative of temperature in the air flow passage;
- and
- a controller for controlling said air circulation system in response to said signal from said at least one sensor to maintain the air temperature in to air flow passage at substantially to same temperature as the air in the open space to inhibit moisture on to internal wall section.
5 more elements
A structure, comprising:
- an inner space enclosed by at least one wall having an inner section and an outer section, the inner an outer sections defining an air flow passage therebetween that has a first opening for receiving air under pressure and a second opening for discharging the received air to an outside environment;
- an air circulation system that supplies conditioned air under pressure to the inner enclosed space;
- and
- wherein the airflow passage receives the conditioned air from the inner enclosed space and discharges at least a portion of the received conditioned air under pressure to the the outside environment.
1 more element
A method for inhibiting moisture accumulation in an outer wall of a structure, comprising:
- providing an outer wall having an un-insulated internal wall section and an insulated external wall section, said internal wall section and said external wall section forming an air flow passage therebetween, said air flow passage channeling a conditioned air flow in-between and substantially parallel to said internal wall section and said external wall section and allowing the conditioned air to exit to an outside environment;
- and
- supplying conditioned air at a positive pressure with an air circulation system through an open space adjacent the internal wall section and into the air flow passage to inhibit moisture accumulation on the internal wall section, wherein the air circulation system maintains the air temperature in the air flow passage at substantially the same temperature as the air in the open space, wherein the air circulation system comprises at least one of (i) a central mechanical air cooling device, (ii) a heating element, and (iii) a humidity control device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.