This invention relates to apparatus for ventilating a structure.

Uninsulated structures, for example made from plastics materials, metal or wood often suffer inside with condensation problems. This is especially so during winter months, or where the ambient temperature varies considerably between day and night. The structures may be, for example, garden sheds, storage boxes, transport containers, storage containers, loft areas, vans, trucks and boats. It is known to ventilate the structures using fans or vents. The fans require a power source and a power source may often not be available or it may be difficult to provide. The vents are able to offer some ventilation but they typically do not enable a flow of air into and out of the structure, or if they do so, then the air flow is only minimal.

It is an aim of the present invention to avoid or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for ventilating a structure, which apparatus comprises an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section comprises:

(i) an air inlet for receiving air from an environment outside the structure; (ii) a first air outlet which is for communicating with the inside of the structure such that air from the air inlet passes to the inside of the structure; and

(iii) a second air outlet which is for passing to the environment outside the structure air from the air inlet which has not been passed to the inside of the structure via the first air outlet, wherein the outlet section comprises:

(iv) a first air inlet for receiving air from the environment outside the structure:

(v) a second air inlet which is for communicating with the inside of the structure such that air from the inside of the structure passes to the outlet section; and

(vi) an air outlet which is for passing to the environment outside the structure air from the first air inlet and air from the second air inlet, and wherein the apparatus comprises:

(vii) a venturi arrangement for increasing air flow speed through the apparatus, thereby promoting a flow of ventilating air from the first air outlet in the inlet section to the second air inlet in the outlet section, and thereby to promote ventilation of the structure. The provision of the venturi arrangement enables the attainment of a required air flow speed in order to obtain required effective ventilation of the structure. Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention is able to operate with environment air flow being in different directions. For example, if the air flow is in a first direction, then the air flow enters the inlet section and leaves the outlet section. If the air flow is in a second and opposite direction, then the outlet section is able to become the inlet section and the inlet section then becomes the outlet section. If the environmental air How is such that the air is gusting, then the apparatus is able to operate with the inlet section being the section that receives the predominant flow of wind at any one period of time. The apparatus may be mounted outside or inside the structure providing the inlet in the through conduit and the outlet in the through conduit are open to the environment. In the apparatus of the present invention, the provision of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit enable the apparatus to operate with a purging airflow. This is advantageous over an apparatus with a venturi arrangement and only a single conduit, with the apparatus then being able to increase air flow but not with the purging effect. The purging effect is advantageous in promoting good ventilation of the structure.

The venturi arrangement may be provided where desired in the apparatus. Thus, for example, the apparatus may be one in which the venturi arrangement comprises a first venturi configuration in the inlet section, and a second venturi configuration in the outlet section. For wind flow in a first direction, then the first venturi configuration is able to operate to increase the speed of the air flow. For wind flow in a second and opposite direction, then the second venturi arrangement is able to Increase the speed of the air flow. For swirling environmental air flows, then the apparatus is able to operate with the first and the second venturi arrangements operating in dependence upon the strongest direction of the wind in any period.

The first venturi configuration may comprise a conical portion of the inlet section. Other types of first venturi configuration may be employed.

The second venturi configuration may comprise a Conical portion of the outlet section. Other types of second venturi configuration may be employed.

The apparatus of present invention may include a venturi connecting conduit which connects the first venturi configuration to the second venturi configuration.

The venturi connecting conduit may permanently connect the first venturi configuration to the second venturi configuration.

Alternatively, the venturi connecting conduit may releasably connect the first venturi configuration to the second venturi configuration. In this case, the apparatus may be such that it is separable into two components comprising the inlet section on the one hand, and the outlet section on the other hand. Such separable apparatus may be convenient for transportation and also for storage in shops and warehouses. In addition, the separable apparatus may be convenient for enabling the inlet section and the outlet section to be connected together by venturi connecting conduits of different lengths to accommodate for the apparatus needing to be fitted to different structures which require different positions of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit. Alternatively, the venturi connecting conduit may be arranged to be an extendable conduit, for example telescopic, for enabling the apparatus to be fitted to different structures.

The apparatus may be one in which the first air outlet and/or the second air inlet are provided with extension pieces, or are themselves extendable. This may facilitate the fitting of ths first air outlet and/or the second air inlet to different structures having different wall or roof thicknesses through which the first air outlet and/or the second air inlet have to pass. in all embodiments of the invention, the inlet section is preferably one in which the air inlet and the first and second air outlets are pipes. Similarly, the outlet section is preferably one in which the first and second air inlets and the air outlet are pipes. Inlets and outlets other than pipes may be employed. Where pipes are employed, then the pipes are preferably of circular cross section. Pipes of other cross sectional shapes, for example square or rectangular, may however be employed.

The apparatus may be made of any suitable materials. Typically the apparatus will be moulded from plastics materials in the same manner as known plastics pipes.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is longitudinal section through first apparatus for ventilating a structure;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through second apparatus for ventilating structure;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of third apparatus for ventilating a structure; Figure 4 illustrates a formation of part of fourth apparatus of the present invention:

Figure 5 illustrates a formation of part of fifth apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through sixth apparatus for ventilating a structure;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through seventh apparatus for ventilating a structure;

Figure 8 shows apparatus of the present invention mounted outside a structure:

Figure 9 shows apparatus of the present invention mounted in a first way on a structure;

Figure 10 shows apparatus of the present invention mounted in a second way on a structure; and

Figure 11 shows apparatus of the present invention mounted in a third way on a structure.

Referring to Figure 1 , there Is shown apparatus 2 for venting a structure. The apparatus 2 comprising inlet section 4 and an outlet 6.

The inlet section 4 comprises an air inlet 8 for receiving air from an environment outside the structure.

The inlet section 4 also comprises a first air outlet 10 which is for communicating with the inside of the structure such that air from the air inlet 8 passes to the inside of the structure. The inlet section 4 further comprises a second air outlet 12 which is for passing to the environment outside the structure air from the air inlet 8 which has not been passed to the inside of the structure via the first air outlet 10.

The outlet section 6 comprises a first air inlet 14 for receiving air from the environment outside the structure.

The outlet section 6 also comprises a second air inlet 16 which is for communicating with the inside of the structure such that air from the inside of the structure passes to the outlet section 6,

The outlet section 6 further comprises an air outlet 18 which is for passing to the environment outside structure air from the first air inlet 14 and air from the second air inlet 16.

The apparatus 2 comprises a venturi arrangement 20 for increasing air flow speed through the apparatus 2, thereby promoting a flow of ventilating air from the first air outlet 10 in the inlet section 4 to the second air inlet 16 in the outlet section 6, and thereby to promote ventilation to the structure.

The apparatus 2 Is constructed such that it has a through conduit 22 which extends through the inlet section 4 and the outlet section 6 as shown.

In Figure 1 , the flow of air through the apparatus 2 is from right to left as indicated by the arrows 23. In this case, the inlet section 4 is on the right of the apparatus 2 as shown in Figure 1 , and the outlet section 6 is on the left of the apparatus 2 as shown in Figure 1. The apparatus 2 is advantageous in that it is able to work equally well with the air flow being in the opposite direction, i.e. with the arrows 23 facing in the opposite direction. In this case, the outlet section 6 would become the inlet section and the inlet section 4 would become the outlet section. Thus the apparatus 2 is able to operate with different wind directions. In gusting winds, the apparatus 2 is still able to operate, with the inlet section being that section which first receives the wind.

As can be seen from Figure 1 , the inlet section 4 has a cross sectional size, the first air outlet 10 has a cross sectional size, and the cross sectional size of the first air outlet 10 is less than the cross sectional size of the inlet section 4. Similarly , the outlet section 6 has a cross sectional size, the second air inlet 16 has a cross sectional size, and the cross sectional size of the second air inlet 16 is less than the cross sectional size of the outlet section 6. Other relative cross sectional sizes in the apparatus 2 may be employed.

As also to be seen from Figure 1 , the inlet section 4 is of the same shape as the outlet section 6. Similarly, the first air outlet 10 is of the same shape as the second air inlet 16. This facilitates easy production of the apparatus 2, for example by moulding from a plastics material.

The venturi arrangement 20 comprises a first venturi configuration 24 in the inlet section 4, and a second venturi configuration 26 in the outlet section 6. In operation of the apparatus 2 as shown in Figure 1 , the first venturi configuration 24 increases the air flow speed through the apparatus 2. If the wind direction is opposite to that shown in Figure 1, then the second venturi configuration 26 is the one that operates to increase the air flow speed through the apparatus 2.

The first venturi configuration 24 comprises a conical portion 27 of the inlet section 4. Similarly, the second venturi configuration 26 comprises a conical portion 28 of the outlet section 6. The apparatus 2 includes a venturi connecting conduit 30 which connects the first venturi configuration 24 to the second venturi configuration 26. The venturi connecting conduit 30 permanently connects the first venturi configuration 24 to the second venturi configuration 26.

The inlet section 4, the first air outlet 10, the outlet section 6 and the second air inlet 16 are pipes. The pipes are of circular cross section.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown apparatus 32 of the present invention. The apparatus 32 is like the apparatus 2 and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In the apparatus 32, the venturi connecting conduit 30 has been removed and has been replaced by reducers 34, 36. The reducers 34, 36 are shown separate from each other. The reducers 34, 36 may be permanently connected together. Alternatively, the reducers 34. 36 may be releasably connected together, for example via screw threads or other connecting means. With releasably connected reducers 34, 36, the apparatus 32 is able to be provided in two component parts, which may facilitate transport and storage in shops and warehouses.

Figure 3 shows third apparatus 38 of the present invention. Similar parts as in the apparatus 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. Figure 3 shows how the venturi connecting conduit 30 in Figure 1 is able to be replaced by a venturi connecting conduit 40. The venturi connecting conduit 40 comprises a central portion 42 and end connectors 44, 46. Figure 3 illustrates how various pipe diameters within the apparatus 38 are able to change suddenly. Figure 4 shows a component 48 which may form an inlet section or an outlet section of fourth apparatus of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates how the internal parts of the component 48 are able to change gradually in diameter.

Figure 5 shows a component 50 which may operate the same as the component 48. The component 50 Illustrates how internal and external diameters within the component 50 are able to change, and thereby resulting in a frusto-conical shape for part of the component 50.

Figure 6 shows apparatus 52 of the present invention which is like the apparatus 2. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 6, it will be seen that the first air outlet 10 and the second air inlet 16 have curved ends which connect to and enter the conical portions 27, 28 respectively.

Figure 7 shows apparatus 54 which again is like the apparatus 2 and in which similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In the apparatus 54, it will be seen that the first air outlet 10 and the second air inlet 16 are straight but connect to the conical portions 27, 28 at an angle to the axial flow indicated by the arrows 23, rather than perpendicular to the axial flow indicated by the arrows 23 in Figure 1.

The apparatus of the present invention may be mounted outside or inside the structure, providing the air inlet 8 in the through conduit 22 and the air outlet 18 in the through conduit 22 are open to the environment. Figure 8 shows apparatus 58 of the present invention mounted outside a structure 60. Figure 9 shows apparatus 62 and mounted inside the structure 60. In Figures 8 and 9, similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The structure 60 has been shown schematically as a rectangle. For ease of illustration, the venturi arrangement 20 has not been shown. The venturi arrangement 20 may be located in any suitable position in the apparatus 58, 62.

Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown apparatus 64 mounted on the outside of a same wall 66 of a structure 68. Figure 11 shows the apparatus 64 mounted on opposite walls 70,72 of a structure 74. In Figures 10 and 11, similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the cross sectional shapes of the various pipe sections may be other than the illustrated circular cross sectional shapes and they may be, for example, square or rectangular. Other types of venturi arrangement 20 may be employed. The apparatus could be provided with a power source for assisting airflow through the apparatus. The power source, for example a fan, would typically have an inlet receiving air from the environment. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.